Jude:Shit, I have nothing.
Jude: Crap, sorry, I didn't mean to cuss.
ME:Jude, you use whatever language you like to express yourself. Freedom of speech and all that. Just don't use it at me, if you get what I'm saying.
Jude:Uh, yeah. I think so. Don't call you the b-word, basically?
ME: Precisely. Okay, how about I talk with them and let you know the plan?
Jude:Them?
ME: Nicco is with Imogen.
Jude:Oh, who is this, Nicco? Do I need to be worried?
ME: Well, I believe he's 29 and her cousin. So no. Unless you were asking in regards to me?
Jude:I wasn't, but now I am. Do I need to pull out my stern, disapproving face?
ME:Ha! No, Nicco and I are dating. So you can reign in your look for later.
Jude:I thought you were dating Monroe?
ME: I am. It's complicated. Can we talk about this later? Put it on the agenda for shit we need to discuss.
Jude:Ha, yes, definitely. I feel like I need to step up and make sure these guys are worthy now.
ME:You're hilarious. Okay, I'll let you know what's decided.
Jude:Thanks, Loren. Sorry I didn't ask ahead of time. I'm kind of used to doing my own thing, and no one cares what it is. As long as I stay out of trouble and I'm there when the inspection occurs, so they get their check, they don't want to know.
ME: I know, bud, but it's not that way anymore.
Jude: Yeah. I see that. Sorry, I forgot for a minute.
ME: It's a learning curve. We'll both mess up, so no fretting. We just have to make sure we talk about it and fix whatever it is we need to. We're in this together, remember?
Jude: Together.
ME:Okay, weirdo, I'll text you in a min.
Jude:Takes one to know one.
Laughing, I looked up to find both Nicco and Imogen watching me.
"Oh, sorry. Just having a conversation with Jude about what was going on. Nicco, he wants to give you the third degree to make sure you're worthy," I chuckled.
"I am so there for this!" Imogen exclaimed.
"Bring it! I will prove to whoever I have to, gorgeous, that I'm 100% right for you."
At his use of gorgeous, the other night flashed in my head and the sexy, dangerous guy who had said it to me. My face must've dropped because I found Nicco turning my chair a moment later, concern in his eyes as he stared at me.
"Hey, I was just joking. You okay?"
"Yeah, sorry. It was just something you said triggered a memory from the other night. A man I met on the train stole my phone and wouldn't give it back to me. He called me gorgeous, and yeah, it was a whole thing. But it's not important. So, I need to finish up some things here before I can leave. How about I task you both with figuring out the plan for this evening, whether that means ordering food or heading out? I'm game with whatever."
"Yeah, we can do that. Are you sure you're okay?"