No turning back
Chapter 4
A/N: I personally wanted to address the review from Guest. Yes I realized I haven't resolved that pesky issue that she has a boyfriend. Your concern is what helped me write this chapter. I'm glad you were so interested in the story to be worried about a possible infidelity. I hope you are satisfied with this chapter.
Sorry this chapter is a bit on the short side. I was working to release a couple of chapters during this update. So thanks for bearing with me.
Nick stayed with Judy until she started to nod off, leaning against his shoulder. He carried her to her bed and tucked her in. She looked adorable, sleeping soundly in her bed. He couldn't resist, and he nuzzled against her cheek. As he stared down at her, he could only hope his giant gamble for a future for the two would pay off. He adored Judy, he could have stayed there and watched her sleep all night. But he still had stuff to deal with. So with that in mind he turned off the lights and left her apartment, locking the door behind him.
Judy woke with a start. Feeling off kilter by being in her bed, where she remembered falling asleep, comfortably against Nick. She looked at the clock and saw it was 5:15. She knew she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep, and knew that Charlie would be awake already. Being a baker, he had to be up with the sun. So she texted him
"Hey Charlie you at the bakery?"
"Yeah. You can come by, just getting done with my prep." She sighed heavily, she wouldn't hurt him by lying to him. She knew this whole thing with Nick happened so suddenly that she never really took consideration to her failing relationship. After she dressed, she steadied her nerves for the all but certain blow out. She looked in her mirror "Ok Hopps. It's going to hurt, but you need to spare him."
Charlie and Judy's relationship started like what you would see on one of those cheesy rom-coms. Charlie's bakery Something Sweet was on the way to the bus stop outside her old apartment. She would stop in almost every day for his delicious carrot cake muffin with a side of cream cheese. Charlie became enamored with Judy over the weeks. And finally got up the nerve to ask her out. He playfully held her muffin hostage until he could ask
"Hey Judy."
"Hello Charlie, my usual, please." He already had it bagged and ready behind the counter. He retrieved it, acted like he was going to hand it over then stopped.
"While I have your active attention, I was wondering if you would be willing to go to dinner with me, say this weekend?" She smiled and then chuckled at her predicament.
"Dinner sounds nice. But I work weekends. But maybe Monday night?" He beamed with excitement that she accepted.
"Sounds perfect." He got her number and said he would call later so they could work out the details.
She arrived at the bakery. The storefront was locked up tight. But knew the back would be open while he prepared the baked goods. She walked around and timidly knocked on the open back door. She sees him smile, and begins to hate herself. She walked in and watched him clean his hands of flour from the dough he was making.
"Hey Jude. Come, I have your favorite." He had her muffin on a small plate on the table he had in the back for his meals. She sits and start to pick at the muffin. He notices it and grimaces a bit. "It's alright. Go ahead." She looks up at him questionably. "I've been waiting for this for a while." He gave her a solemn, knowing look.
"How?" Her big eyes wide on the verge of tears. He pulled up his stool and sat next to her.
"Since I met him." He paused and chuckled lightly "It's an very interesting phenomenon to be the third wheel in ones own relationship. I think that's why I pushed to move our relationship forward. I guess I was hoping to edge him out."
"I really never meant for it to happen." She said with a sigh
"I wouldn't ever claim you would. Actually, it seemed like you two didn't know at all. But you both have your claws so far into each other. No others would ever stand a chance. I'm just grateful to have had the time to be in your world."
"Aren't you mad?"
"Why? What would that do? Would it change your feelings for him or the outcome of our relationship? No. Besides I've been casually watching things for months. Since that night we helped you move. I could see the connection. I was actually in awe of it. And basically since, I've been waiting. Every text, phone call beginning of a date or even an end to one. For you to tell me you've chucked me."
"Would it be selfish of me to ask you to dump me?" He outright laughed
"Yes, my dear it would. Like I said, it's alright. Tell me."
"I am so sorry. Your right, I think, about us not knowing. And I know that after everything that has happened, we were just going to stand right outside the lines that intersect our friendship and more. Actually it's your fault, sort of, that we stepped over the line. We were talking about the importance of sex in relationships and well it opened a door."
"You know, I'm not even mad. Actually I'm rooting for you guys. I mean, god if you two can't make it work. Then none of us stand a chance." He stands up and grabs her paws and helps her to stand. "You are always welcome here, you know my specials." He says with a gentle smile pulls her into a comforting hug. "And when you two crazy kids get married. Come to me and I'll cut you a deal on the cake." They both chuckled for a bit. "I'll miss you, kid.
"I'll miss you also, sir." Before she leaves she turns around. "You know I feel like I'm getting off too easy here."
"It's called being an adult. We can handle an amicable split. No one is going to be too hurt. You are going to embark on something special and I'm going to move on, I think knowing that you are going after the one softens the blow." He nods to confirm his own words to himself. "Good bye Judy. Don't be a stranger and bring Nick around some time." She smiled though she felt a bit awkward about bring Nick here after everything was said and done. She waved and walked out of the bakery. She looked at the clock on her phone, it was almost 8. She needed to get home and get ready.
Nick despised mornings. He avoided them as often as he could. But it was unavoidable, on this particular one. He had just about everything on his list completed just left was the time sensitive stuff for the morning. And even though mornings were rough on him, even if he got more than enough sleep. This morning he was spry and ready. His excitement was better than any cup of coffee or energy drink he'd ever consumed. He chuckled at himself again thinking "hmm she always makes me a better animal, even if she's not here."
He called two more contacts while he drove to the dry cleaners and florist. Everything confirmed and ready for this afternoon. He almost wished he planned something for the morning. Noon seemed like an awful long time away. His last stop was to see his pal Finnick. After his conversation with him last night, he agreed to do a set up. He found Finnick's van parked outside Nick's apartment. He knocked on the back door and he opened up.
"Hey buddy. So here's the key." He handed him the key off his ring and three bags of things. "And the stuff I need you to set up. When you leave, lock up and leave the key under her welcome mat. Just wait for me to text you saying we've left the apartment."
"I ain't simple, Nick. I got this." He looks through the bags. "You are really going nutso here. She shouldn't be sayin no."
"That's the point. I've bugged enough people in last 48 hours to make this one hell of a date. I just want to make this perfect, Judy deserves perfect." Finnick shakes his head and laughs out loud
"You are so totally whipped and she isn't even yours yet. I expect to be your best man at the wedding." More intense laughter.
"Can it. Let's not get a head of ourselves." Nick winks at his buddy. "Besides I figured you would be more suited as the ring bearer." Finnick's laughing stops and gives Nick a dirty look.
"That's not funny Nick." His voice serious.
Nick waved goodby to his pal and went home to get ready.
