business alongside her two other sisters. They each have their own role that matches their individual talents.
I’m a little jealous. I’ve been longing for a team of trusted people to get into business with. When I tell her I’m working on some business ideas, too, Faith is practically bouncing in her seat.
She reaches across the table, arm extended for a high-five. “Really? Girl boss! You should totally come hang out with me and my sisters some time. You can bounce ideas off us, and we can make a day out of it.”
“Sure. I would love that.” I mean it.
“Jude, text her my number, will you?” Faith demands, and I laugh at her boldness. She’s obviously used to bossing these big, tough athletes around all the time.
“Yes, ma’am,” Jude says, with a salute.
“Also, Maxwell and I are having a barbeque at our Reyfield house this weekend,” she announces. “You should come join us. It’ll be fun to get everyone together. My sisters will be there, and so will some of the Paragons.”
Jude glances at me for my consent. I nod and grin. “We’ll be there.”
The guys shift the conversation to the football season while Faith focuses on eating her dessert. She’s so thin, I don’t know where she puts it. But I love that she’s a girl who is not afraid to eat.
“It’s actually going well. Really well.” My roommates slides a grin my way. “Iris has been very helpful.” Jude gives me a secret look and I’m trying hard to keep from blushing because now, all I see is our limbs tangled up on my living room floor. Jude continues. “It’s early, and I haven’t told anyone else yet. But my doctor thinks there’s a chance I could play football again.”
Faith gasps next to me, and Maxwell claps Jude hard on the back. “Holy shit, man! That is awesome,” Maxwell says before turning to me. “You keep doing what you’re doing to get this man on track. I need him back on the field.”
Sometime later, Jude leans toward me with a bite of cheesecake hanging off his fork. “You’ve gotta taste this, Petal. It’s incredible.”
I give a subtle head shake even though I’m almost drooling for a bite. “I really shouldn’t. I’m on a diet—”
He must read the lust on my face. He leans close to my ear. “Iris, one bite of cheesecake won’t make you any less beautiful than you are. So if you want the cheesecake, eat the damn cheesecake.”
We lock eyes and I know he’s right. On an inhale, I open my mouth and he slides the dessert against my tongue.
I. Almost. Die.
With an eye on my expression, Jude chuckles. “You’re fucking adorable, Merlini.” Then the big, burly football player leans in. And he kisses me. Right there, in front of his friends and a room full of strangers. He puts his lips on mine and he sensually tastes my mouth. My heart flutters hopelessly, swelling within my chest.
As we’re leaving the restaurant a while later, Faith huddles near my date and I hear her whisper. “I love this one, Jude! I’m begging you…please don’t fuck it up!”
He gives her a wink. “Trust me—I won’t. I plan on keeping her.”
God. So much for not blushing.
30
Jude
Y’know, I never really thought I’d be a double-date kind of guy. But one night showing Iris off to my friends and I already know I want more of this.
More watching her insta-bond with my friends’ wives.
More whispering in her ear in between bites and grabbing her sexy thigh under the table.
More taking her home with me at the end of the night.
I know she’d been nervous about coming to dinner tonight. She tried backing out of our plans a half dozen times. But as I predicted, Maxwell and his wife loved her. How could they not?
At this point, I’ve decided that anyone who doesn’t like Iris Merlini can just fuck off. Just like my dumb ass in college.
She and Faith hit it off like they’ve known each other for years, and I would be lying if I said that didn’t affect me. Maxwell had a subtle nod of approval for me every time he caught my eye. Made me feel proud of my girl.
My girl…
It’s mighty presumptuous of me to claim ownership of the woman. But I don’t know…It sort of just feels like she belongs on my arm, by my side.
We drive back to her home with my fingers tracing her