"Jude." Her name had never sounded so sweet as it rolled off the tip of Tommy's tongue. She had longed to hear his voice, dreamed of it really and one simple word sent her emotions into overdrive…
Tommy's voice was soft as he spoke her name…she looked like the epitome of perfection standing in front of him, her hair in loose, blonde curls and her beautiful eyes shining brighter than he remembered. She seemed so…so…grown up…
Brendon suddenly caught on to the sudden tension and looked between Tommy and Jude, "Um you two already know each other?"
Tommy merely nodded his head, unable to find the right words to say because the girl…woman who had stole his heart years before was standing right in front of him, after three years of no contact whatsoever, there she was…just staring wide eyed and gorgeous.
With her heart pounding in her ears, Jude stood still, holding onto Mason for dear life. She couldn't believe it, she didn't want to believe it. After three years…three long, wishful years…Tommy was sitting right in front of her looking better than she remembered. His piercing, sapphire colored eyes staring into hers was enough to make her go weak in the knees and turn her into putty all over again.
Feeling Mason slightly tug on her hand, Jude was brought out of her reverie, "Ah, um, ye…yes we know each other. From a long time ago," feeling slightly fidgety all of a sudden and anxious, she turned to Mason, "I need to go to the bathroom. Like now." With that she beelined it as fast as she could to the restrooms, pulling Mason along with her.
As soon as Jude was out of earshot, Brendon faced Tommy to find him still staring after her and he shook his head in silent laughter, "What was that all about?" When it was apparent Tommy was neither listening nor paying attention to him, Brendon punched him in the arm.
Jolting out of the state of shock he was in, Tommy winced, "OW! Man, what was that for?"
"It was the only way I could get your attention," Brendon shrugged, "now once again…what was that whole awkward thing with Jude about?"
Tommy nonchalantly shook his head before answering, "Nothing, it's a long story."
"Why don't you give me the footnotes then?"
"Alright," Tommy sighed, "I met her when I was 22, she was 15. I was her producer and we had a close relationship. Best Friends even. Some things happened on her 18th birthday and I left shortly after. The End."
"Oookay," Brendon drug out, "that told me absolutely nothing. Soo you're telling me, you were close and left and that led to you meeting up 3 years later and tension you can cut with a knife? I'm not buying it man."
"Look Bren, I don't want to go into it. Jude and I, that's something that I've tried to stay away from since I've moved here so drop it…just drop it," Tommy muttered, reaching for his beer, his mind wondering how the night was going to unfold.
"Ohmygodohmygodohmygod!" Jude exclaimed pulling Mason into the women's bathroom with her, "Mase, I can't breathe, oh my god!" She cried, pacing frantically back and forth.
"Jude," Mason stated grabbing her shoulders to keep her steady, "Jude! Just stop, inhale deeply and then exhale for a second ok? Can you do that for me? In…Out…In…better?"
Nodding slightly, Jude took a deep breath before walking toward the sinks, "Oh my god, Mase, I can't believe it. Tommy…Tommy Quincy is right outside of those doors."
"I know, and he's looking better than ever," Mason added, with a smirk.
Slapping his shoulder, Jude ran her hands through her hair, "Not helping!"
"Jude, calm down. I mean, I know it's Tommy Quincy, hottie whom you loved since you were 15, but you're an adult now. Let's go out there and show Mr. Lil' Tommy Q exactly how grown up you are and make him wish he never left Toronto."
"Do you think that's a good idea?" Jude questioned, "Maybe we could just catch up, you know, so I could find out what he's been up to. I don't want to show him anything. With the way he left…besides, I'm with Jamie and I lo.." gulping slightly she hesitated, "I love Jamie. Now I'm here to have fun and that's that."
"Teasing Tommy could be very fun," Mason beamed, folding his arms across his chest.
Laughing gently, a small smile forming on her lips, Jude shrugged, "Yes it could." But she wasn't going to tease him in the way Mason was thinking. Jude planned on talking to Tommy as if nothing had happened between them…as if they never happened. If it was the Tommy she still knew, he'd be expecting her to demand answers, which she really wanted to do, but tonight was about fun and she was going to have fun damn it! He'd be bothered by her lack of interest in the past and how the way things ended with them. Of course it would be unlikely he'd even want to talk about it himself, but Jude knew he'd expect her to delve into it somewhat and she wasn't going to.
"Sorry guys," Jude apologized approaching the two handsome men once again.
"No problem," Brendon ginned, "what can I get you to drink."
"A slippery nipple please," Jude answered, catching Tommy eyeing her. Her confidence once again coming into play, she said "Make that two actually," turning her attention to Tommy she casually asked, "Care to take a shot with me?"
Tommy studied her for only a second, "Sure." That wasn't exactly the first thing he really thought she'd say to him after all these years. Tommy was expecting a slap, some angry words, maybe a hug even, but no he didn't receive anything except for a shot glass in front of him. Maybe Jude had changed a lot more than just growing up over the years.
"Great," Jude smiled lifting the shot glass now in front of her, indicating Tommy to do the same. Holding it in the air she toasted, "here's to a fabulous next two weeks in New York with my best friend…and to a night of remembering old friends and past lives." Tossing the liquor down her throat, she grinned over at Tommy and found him smiling back at her, and she felt her heart flutter…damn that Quincy smile.
Tommy set down his empty glass and gave Jude a small smile. His mind was running over what she had said…Jude was going to be in New York for two weeks…he might be able to talk to Jude and see her for the next two weeks.
Shaking his head to focus on the present, he gave Jude a wider smile and quirked an eyebrow asking, "Another?"
Jude lightly bit her lip debating whether or not she wanted to drink too much tonight, after only a second she nodded, "Why not."
