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“Ha, ha.” Jude greeted the man, grabbing hands and leaning in toward him in what Sarah called a “bro shake”. “Sarah, I’d like you to meet my best friend. Roger, this is Sarah Grayson.”
Sarah smiled at the handsome African American man standing next to Jude. “Nice to meet you.”
Roger looked her over from top to bottom. Not in a sexual way, more a checking her out to see if she measured up to what his best friend deserved. He must have approved, because his face split with a big smile and he pulled her to him for a hug. “The pleasure is all mine.”
“Quit hitting on my girl,” Jude warned in a stern voice.
“If you aren’t man enough to keep your woman, then it’s your own fault if I steal her. Always wanted to date a doctor.”
They verbally sparred back and forth a little, all in fun, then Sarah was grabbed by a couple of wives and girlfriends who pulled her over to where several more were uncovering food.
“It’s about time he found himself a nice girl to bring with him. And did I hear right? A doctor?”
Cheeks warm, Sarah nodded. “Is there anything I can do to help?” Obviously, the party was potluck. “I’m sorry I didn’t know to bring something. Jude failed to mention that.”
Then again, after her burnt toast it was possible he had purposely not mentioned the party was potluck for fear she’d burn down their apartment building.
The older woman waved her hand in a dismissive motion. “Jude does too much as it is. You just enjoy yourself and that sweet man tonight.”
Jude did too much?
“Jude sent food?”
The woman nodded and motioned to where beverages were set up and the huge stack of canned and bottled drinks behind the drink table. “He has all that sent every year. And every year there’s always enough to last everyone for their Christmas party and halfway into the new year.”
Sarah wasn’t crazy about sodas or sport drinks, but she supposed a bunch of people hanging out at a fire hall went through quite a few. Jude’s generosity probably saved the crew a pretty penny.
“Plus, he springs for the turkey and ham, has it delivered,” another added.
“And he always caters the fire hall Christmas party. He’s a good man,” one of the women praised.
“I think so,” Sarah automatically replied, then realized what she’d said and that she’d meant her words.
Despite her thoughts to the contrary just a few days previously, she did think Jude was a good man.
She glanced toward him, realized he was looking at her, and just to throw him off kilter as much as he threw her off kilter, she winked.
His grin won out on the off-kilter causing, though, because her knees wobbled at how he was looking at her.
“You’re a lucky woman.”
Sarah turned to the young blonde woman who’d spoken from behind her.
“I’m Cassidy, Roger’s on again, off aga
in girlfriend.” She smiled and held out her hand. “Currently on again.”
Okay. She smiled at the woman. For the next thirty minutes, Sarah talked with the women while the guys did their thing across the room. Every time she glanced Jude’s way, he was either looking at her or quickly did, as if he sensed her gaze. Or couldn’t go long between looks.
They shared smiles and winks. Sarah was surprised at how comfortable she felt at the party with the group of women. Then again, they were a friendly bunch and all had wonderful things to say about Jude, praising him for his generosity, which apparently extended way beyond what he did at the holiday parties as one commented on how he’d saved him from losing his home when he’d fallen behind due to his wife’s medical expenses. Another commented on how Jude had saved the day when he volunteered at every community outreach event. Another went on and on about he’d started a scholarship program for kids of the NYFD.
His crew and their significant others couldn’t say enough good things about him. Sarah took their praise in, marveling at just how deep Jude ran.
When the chief called their attention to say grace, Jude made his way over to Sarah, took her hand into his as they bowed their heads.
For the rest of the night he was by her side. Not once did Sarah feel out of place or awkward.
She felt like she was right where she should be.
