Page 25 of Unconventionally, Elle

Ten years ago

N?ine months of Jude. Nine months of continuing what we'd started at that Fourth of July party more than two years ago. We hardly spent a night apart, so a month ago, we'd decided to rent an apartment on Royal Street together. Yes, together.

Our cozy little apartment was close to Frenchman Street, where we'd listen to local musicians play on the streets, as well as our favorite late-night spot, the Verti Marte.

Jude Ashford introduced me to the bacon-egg-and-cheese po'boy at two a.m. on a random Wednesday night, and my life has never been the same.

"You're something else, Elle Watson." He held my hand while we walked up the ramp to our seats in the Superdome. The Saints were playing, and he had season tickets.

"You do realize this is a Saints game?" He smirked. "And you are wearing the other team's colors rather proudly?"

"What can I say, I like to be different." I squeezed his hand and pulled down my bright blue Titans jersey.

"Oh, of that I have absolutely no doubts." He laughed and ran his other hand through his wavy chestnut hair. "You're certainly spicy. That's a brave thing to do in New Orleans." He wrapped his arm around my waist and leaned down to kiss the top of my head.

"Good thing you like spicy." I looked up at him and grinned mischievously. "Let's go, Titans!" I yelled into the open atrium.

Hundreds of people stared, their eyes narrowing in disgust. A few whoops and yeahs echoed, but nothing compared to the glares sent my way.

Jude held me a little tighter and whispered into my ear, "Go Saints."

"Never." I lifted my chin to kiss that shit-eating grin off of his face.