Page 32 of Unconventionally, Elle

Eight years ago

“?Babe, want to go see a play this weekend at the Saenger?" Jude scrolled through the Saenger's Instagram feed while he enjoyed his morning cup of coffee.

I sat down next to him at the table and lifted mine to my lips. I set my mug down and gave him a dismayed smile. "I can't, I'm so sorry." I hung my head and sighed.

When I looked back up, he was staring at me with a blank expression. He'd expected this answer.

"I'm really behind and the emails never stop. I can't seem to get ahead, even a little bit."

Disappointment flickered in his eyes. While he was also a busy person and sometimes slept in his office, I was much worse with coordinating my work-life balance.

I never slept in my office, but that wasn't for a lack of trying.

Mr. Landry caught me sleeping one morning after I'd fallen asleep at my desk the night before, and he immediately sent me home to change my clothes and freshen up.

Come to think of it, he was kind of rude.

This was no longer a nine-to-five job. It was constant.

"I really am sorry." My pleading gaze softened his features.

"I mean, that's a good thing though, right?" he asked calmly, patiently. "When you're busy, you get more accounts, and you make more money."

I nodded.

"I just wish it wasn't so crazy." He reached for my hand and lifted it to his lips. "I miss you, Elle Belle."

I turned his hand over and pressed it to my cheek.

"I miss you too, my love." Resting my cheek in his hand felt warm and secure.

Safe. "I just want to prove myself, you know?

" I placed his hand back on the table and intertwined our fingers.

"This guy Chris in the office is such a dick. " I groaned and rolled my eyes.

"Why's that?" Jude looked at me with a quirked eyebrow.

"Well, he's always coming over my shoulder and telling me how to do things with my work. His mansplaining makes me want to bang my head against the wall." I put my coffee down and rested my chin on my other fist. "Believe it or not, I actually know how to do my job."

"Never doubted you." He lifted his mug in acknowledgment.

"I know, I know. It's just... I don't know." I groaned and tried to find my words. "It's just that he makes me feel small. I don't like him, and I definitely don't trust him. His words aren't authentic, if that makes sense?"

"No, I get it. There's one of those in every company." His smile was apologetic and understanding.

"Yeah, I guess." I sighed. "Corporate culture and all that, right?"

"Oh absolutely. And it's just as bad for lawyers, trust me." He stood up and walked to my chair. He motioned for me to stand, and I reluctantly agreed. He pulled me close and held me in his arms. His chest was warm, and his heart a steady thud, thud, thud .

When he spoke again, I felt his voice vibrate through his body.

"You're strong though, Elle. And I know you take zero shit from people.

You wouldn't be your grandmother's granddaughter if you weren't spicy.

" He kissed the top of my head and released me.

"Now, how do you want your eggs?" He smirked as he walked into the kitchen.

"Sunny-side up, please," I said over my shoulder.

"Anything for you, Elle Belle."

For a moment, I forgot about work. I forgot about my emails and my coworker Chris.

I loved when Jude called me Elle Belle. I loved him.

His words were still whispering through my body when a phone call scared the shit out of me.

I noticed Jude glance over at me from the stove, and I looked at the phone.

Work was calling.