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“You’re such a bad liar, I almost feel sorry for you,” he replied, returning to his previous position with his legs perched on the table.
I ignored him and went back to staring at my computer screen. With a groan of frustration I saved what I had written and slammed the lid closed. “This is pointless.”
“Want to go get ice cream?” He suggested. “I hear that makes everything better.”
“Didn’t you just eat a whole bag of gummy bears?”
“It was half a bag. Big difference,” he grinned, letting his feet drop to the ground. He stood and stretched his arms above his head. The movement caused his shirt to ride up, exposing the bottom of his smooth stomach. I wished I wasn’t staring, but I was. I was looking at him a lot lately, and not with hate in my eyes. What had become of me? “What do you say? Ice cream?”
He must’ve known I could never say no to ice cream.
“Sure.” I stood, packing up my stuff. It wasn’t like I’d been getting a lot accomplished anyway.
On our way out of the library we ran into Rowan. She paused in her steps and her grin said it all—she was exited at the idea of Jude and I spending time alone.
“Where are you guys going?” She asked, adjusting her hold on her books.
“To get ice cream,” Jude replied.
“Ice cream?” With her smile widening, she said, “I notice you didn’t invite me.”
Jude’s smile mirrored hers. Looking from me to Rowan, he shrugged. “You wanna get ice cream? I’m buying.”
“No, but thanks anyway.” She suppressed a laugh, hiding her growing smile behind her free hand.
“See you later, Row,” Jude lowered his head and kissed her cheek before running out the doors.
Shaking her head Rowan looked at me and muttered, “That boy.”
Those two words summed up Jude perfectly.
With a quick wave I mumbled goodbye to Rowan.
Jude waited outside on the steps for me. His hands were shoved in the pockets of his jeans and he looked out towards the parking lot. The sun created a golden h
alo around him. If I was honest with myself, he took my breath away. I think maybe he always had. Even before Graham died, I’d always been one to deny my feelings. I bottled them up and stored them away carefully in neat little drawers, never to be peeked at again. I always did whatever it took not to get hurt. Even if it meant holding myself back.
I didn’t bother suggesting that we take separate cars. I knew Jude would veto that idea immediately.
Once in his old blue truck, he turned the heat on and glanced at me before backing out. “Do I get to ask you a question today?”
“You just did.”
“Ha. Ha. Ha.” He chanted. “You’re so clever, Tater Tot.”
“I detect sarcasm in your tone.” I did my best to keep from smiling. I failed.
“You do indeed. But I do actually think you’re the smartest person I know.” His tone was serious.
“Thank you,” I told him, a bit taken aback.
“You’re also the prettiest.”
I held up a hand. “Quit while you’re ahead, Brooks.”
He chuckled, scratching his lightly stubbled jaw. “Okay, okay. But you never actually answered my question.”
“You can ask me whatever you want,” I shrugged. “I don’t care.”
