page129 (1/2)

“You always make me feel better, too”

“Really?” My htens a little “I never knew that”

“Now ya do,” he says in his sexy, teasing voice “Are you still in your car?”

“Yes,” I answer, just as there’s a soft tapping on my

“Open the door”

Turning toward the door, my mouth falls open and I quickly unlock it and push it open “Jude! What are you doing?”

He kneels down next to my open car door and leans inside “I had to make sure you’re okay”

With tears inwho sees or what they think or say Screw all that None of that matters

This is all thatfor htest hesitation

We hug for several long o He feels like home, and it reminds me how much I’ve missed this closeness with him

When we pull away, he cups my head in his pal my tears

“You didn’t have to come,” I say softly

“Yeah, I did You think I’d let you sit in a parking lot by yourself when you need me? I didn’t let you do it the day we met, and I won’t do it now Or ever”

I grin at hi”

“I know So are you,” he says, winking at me “Are you okay? I can drive you to work, or home”

I shake my head “No, I feel a lot better now I don’t have to work today, so I can go home”

That’s when I notice he’s staring at

Oh, no

“And what’s this?” he asks, touching his nah the hole just above my knee

“U way tooa boy’s name with hearts all over her stuff

He turns his gaze back to et a real one if ya want”

I push his hand away “I was just scribbling”

“It’s cute,” he says “I’m kinda flattered I don’t think anyone’s ever written my name on them before”

I pull at the frayed threads in the hole and avert my eyes fros?”

He chokes “What?”

“Apparently Paige’s cousin went to school with you She said that’s what you did at parties”