Page 19 of Ruin The Friendship
Without waiting for me to say ‘I love you,’ or even goodbye, she hangs up. No shock there. She’s been like this sinceI was a kid. Mom shows me what would be considered the appropriate amount of attention before leaving me alone again.
As little as I want to see them, it really is good timing. Part of me knows my parents will have less-than-enthusiastic reactions to the news that I’m having a baby when I’m not married, but there’s also a small part that hopes they’ll be happy and supportive. I want them to be excited to be grandparents, but I can’t say I’d be surprised if the lunch turns into a mess.
When I set my phone back down, a new message pops up.
Jude
Lydia, nice to hear from you. I’m in town, want to grab lunch today?
Nice to hear from me? Did he forget that I messaged him after our date, asking if he’d want to get together again soon?
Might as well get it over with.
Me
That works. Did you have a place in mind?
Jude
The Forester at noon?
Me
Okay.
Today is my day off, which is lucky. This wouldn’t have worked otherwise. I inhale a deep breath and exhale slowly.
I can do this.
An hour later, I’m standing outside The Forester. The restaurant is much nicer than my usual, which is anotherreason why Jude and I would never work. As much as my parents love their fancy restaurants, I’m more of a bar and grill type of person.
I walk up to the hostess station, smiling gently. The hostess is tall, and she doesn’t hide the way she looks up and down my body in displeasure. I withhold my irritation because I know I don’t look like I belong in a place like this, but I’m here for a reason.
“Hi, I’m meeting Jude Freeman. He said he placed a reservation.”
She looks down at her tablet, her brows raising. “Oh, yes. He’s already been seated. I can take you to him.”
“Thank you,” I mutter under my breath.
She leads me through the restaurant to the back, where Jude sits in his work suit and tie at a table for two. He’s focused solely on his phone as we walk up to the table.
The hostess extends her arm and says, “Mr. Freeman, your friend has arrived.”
Jude looks up from his phone, looking me up and down.
“Lydia, hi.” He gestures for me to sit.
“Your waitress will be with you in a moment,” the hostess says as she leaves.
Jude leans back in his chair, taking a sip of brown liquor out of the crystal glass he has in front of him. He smiles coyly. “I was surprised to hear from you.”
“Right,” I say slowly.
Before I can say more, the waitress steps up to the table.
“Hi, can I get you something to drink?” she asks, pulling out her pad and paper.
Jude cuts in before I can even ask for a glass of water. “I’m ready to order. I’ll have the steak, medium with grilled mushrooms on top. As for the sides, I’ll do the grilled prosciutto asparagus and tropical quinoa salad. Lydia?”
