Page 54 of Unconventionally, Elle

Now

S?arah was back at the table and drinking water when we walked up. I realized too late that I forgot to get her another water after I dropped the first one.

Sorry! I mouthed, but she wasn't looking at me. She was looking at the tall man next to me with wavy chestnut hair and his left hand on my lower back.

Sarah's eyes popped and her lips mouthed the words Holy shit!

She knew exactly who was standing next to me, but the boys had no idea.

"Jude!" She jumped out of her seat to give him a hug and then over his shoulder gave me a What the actual fuck?

stare. No , she mouthed behind his back as she gave him one more squeeze.

I got her message loud and clear. Stay away from him. I was, in fact, still very much in a relationship with Barrett Henry. And last I knew, Jude had a someone. The memory of that late-night phone call and hearing a stranger's voice with him made my stomach drop all over again.

At the sound of Jude's name, Finn came to attention.

He raised his eyebrows and made direct eye contact with me.

I'd mentioned Jude here and there, and he knew that he was the one before Barrett.

All Jackson could tell was that I knew this man and there was some juicy history in this entire situation.

"Sarah, hello, good to see you again." Jude's warm smile made Sarah look down. She was a sucker for good manners.

Finn stood up, eyes on me, then shifted his gaze to Jude. "Finn Bennett." He extended his hand to Jude, who took it in his free hand and gave it a firm shake. "And this is my boyfriend, Jackson." He released Jude's hand and pointed to Jackson, who waved with glee and continued to smile.

"Jude Ashford, nice to meet you all!" He motioned to the velvet booth and lightly pressed his fingertips into my lower back. "May I join you?"

"Of course you can!" Sarah was trying so hard to be nice. Truthfully, they got along, but I knew she was worried about me. Jude was the one who got away. The one I could never get over. Until I did. I thought.

"Jude, where's your plus one tonight?" Sarah asked nonchalantly. I gave her a side-eye that could kill, and Finn brought his drink to his lips. Jackson glanced over to Finn then back at Jude and me, eyes wide with curiosity.

I noticed Jude's shoulders tense for a moment, then relax again.

Our server returned with our orders and handed Jude his scotch.

After a slow sip, Jude looked at me while answering Sarah. "No plus one. Just me and some friends from work."

I didn't look away. I was studying him even though I knew every dimple, every mannerism.

The unconscious lick of his lips and the slight pull of his smile.

The way his sultry eyes stayed on mine made the room fall away.

It was me and him. Always me and him. His energy was pulling me in--magnetic, addictive--and the group took notice.

Jude excused himself a few minutes later to find his friends, but he told us he'd be right back. The boys, more specifically Jackson, leaned in as soon as Jude walked away.

"Who the hell was that Casanova?" Jackson slurred with his Dom still twirling in his hand.

Sarah didn't skip a beat. "That's Jude! Oh my God, Elle!" Her wide-eyed incredulous stare made me feel guilty. "They have history, like major history."

Jackson rolled his eyes. "We've gathered that much, Sarah."

"No, you don't understand." She looked over at me before continuing. "He's like her Achilles' heel. She's never been able to resist him. He's her addiction, or at least he used to be."

Barrett, remember Barrett. I love Barrett , I told myself, reaching for my freshly poured champagne.

Jackson and Finn stared at me, waiting for an explanation.

I rolled my eyes dramatically and took a deep breath.