Chapter Thirty Two

"Babe you almost ready?" he asked as he headed into the bedroom. It was five minutes past eight and they were supposed to meet Dani for dinner at eight thirty. The sight that greeted him was of her in a satin black bra and panty set, that made his mouth go dry. Her skin was luminescent in the soft light of the room, and a feeling of rightness almost overwhelmed him. An old Eric Clapton song entered his head as he looked at his wife. The lyrics were simple, but evoked emotion, and that was what made it such a classic. It was the feeling of having someone to go home with at the end of the night. He had never realized, until her, that that was important to him.

It's late in the evening, she's wondering what clothes to wear
She puts on her makeup, and brushes her long blonde hair

She frowned into the mirror at his reflection, her clothes strewn haphazardly on their bed and a few articles were also scattered on the floor. "I don't have anything to wear," she complained, her hands reaching out to search through the hangers once again. It hadn't really been apparent to either of them that she was putting on weight, both of them were living in the situation so they could not see the minute changes every day brought. It was apparent now however, that some of her clothes were starting to feel and look a little tight. And she had never had that many dressy items to begin with. Everything she had been required to wear lately for work had come out of G-Major's wardrobe.
"Since when do you care about your clothes?" he asked less than diplomatically, earning a scowl from her.
"Tonight's not exactly a normal night," she muttered. She didn't want to look like a mess around the stylish Dani, and there were roles she and Tommy had to play. She needed the reinforced confidence of at least looking decent to slip into her part, especially since she was normally a terrible liar. In 4th grade she had even been cast as a rock in the school play, so that she had no lines to flub up. Sadie had laughed at her even after the play had been over for weeks; Sadie who had done the very same play two years before and been cast as the lead. Jude wondered how she had survived adolescence without doing permanent injury to her sister.
Tommy walked over to his side of the closet and slid it open, pulling a black dress off the rod. "How about this?" He held it out to her for inspection.
She gave him a skeptical look, staring at the elegant creation that had cost more than she had ever spent on clothing, that they had chosen together during their time in Las Vegas. "Don't you think it's too much?" Jude was ill at ease in fancy clothes, not used to being noticed in that way, not wearing them like a second skin like some woman did, like Dani did. That thought decided her on trying it on at least.
Tommy walked over to his dresser to retrieve his wallet, giving her space to put the dress on. He opened the laptop on the desk and fiddled with the mouse, looking for something. He turned at the sound of her voice and took in the lovely vision before him.
"Do I look alright?" she asked hesitantly, even though secretly she loved how the high cut waist hid the gentle swell of her belly. Tonight was not a night to remind anyone of the rumors of her pregnancy.
The skirt was cut above her knees, showing enough of her long legs to catch his attention. The dark color brought out the glow in her creamy skin, and a slow appreciative smile curved his lips even as he had to chuckle.
"What?" Jude asked in mild alarm, her hand going involuntarily to her hair. "It fits, doesn't it?" she said worriedly, wondering if she was starting to look different, having always had the advantage of a good metabolism and youth on her side.
His hand slipped back to the computer and he clicked the mouse, before walking to her. The opening refrain from the song he had on his mind, started.
She took the hand he held out and he pulled her close, pressing their bodies flush against one another.
He stared down at her, warmth shining from his eyes. "I wasn't laughing at you. I just had this song in my head when I saw you in here," he admitted.

She gave a small laugh too, knowing the lyrics that were coming up would be a repeat of what she had just asked.

And she asked me, "do I look alright?"
I said "yes, you look wonderful tonight."

"Do I?" she grinned up at him, feeling impossibly warm under his intense gaze.
"Yes," he answered without making a witty comeback, simply holding her a little tighter.
Jude found herself swaying to the music with him, and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I never-even considered I would have this with anyone," he said seriously, honestly against her soft hair. He never knew the magnitude of what Eric Clapton really sang about with this decceptively simple song until now.
He was in a funny mood, kind of sappy if she had to be honest, but she liked it nonetheless. Jude sniffled, burying her face into his neck, where she inhaled his cologne. She felt the grumble vibrate from his chest, pressed just that close.
"Please tell me you're not crying," he begged helplessly, knowing her tears always reduced him to the consistency of Jello, feeling the betraying wetness on his skin.
Jude fought valiantly to bring herself under control, giving one final sniff and stared up to find his, her eyes watery. She didn't comment, not wanting to dent his ego, knowing he only trusted her enough to be wide open like this.
"Whatever happens tonight, don't read too much into it," he reminded her, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. "I love you."
"I love you too." She didn't think she would ever get tired of hearing it from him or tell him the same. "So-If Dani gets you alone and tries something…" she said it lightly, but the thought actually did bother her. They had slept together before on occasion and Dani had been one of the constants of his life.
"Then it's your job to save me."
"But I thought you wanted the truth."
He arched an eyebrow. "And you'll sacrifice me to get answers?"
"Uh no," she said firmly. Mine, she thought. Even if they found out Dani wasn't guilty of leaking their story, Jude was sure the other woman was in love with her husband and she wasn't sure where they would go after tonight, but she couldn't honestly say it wouldn't bother her if they still remained so close. She raised her arms to circle his neck and pulled his head down to meet her mouth. When she finally disentangled herself from his grasp, she was proud to see him look a little flustered.

And then I tell her
As I turn out the light
I say my darling, you were wonderful tonight
Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight

"Tease," he complained softly before releasing her reluctantly, as the last notes of the song faded into the room.
A smile played on her lips as she walked into the adjoining bathroom, humming the melody, to check her makeup.

There was a play going on that the couple that had already arrived did not see, occurring in the front of the exclusive Japanese restaurant where they were to meet that night.
They stood on the curb for a moment as the valet drove the Porsche away, their hands brushing lightly, fingers playing. They had made it, only late by about ten minutes, not that they would have wanted to be the first ones there anyway.
"Remember you're pissed at me."
She turned her head to stare back at him, guilelessness shining from her eyes. She wasn't good at this, pretending emotions she did not feel. And he looked particularly sexy tonight in his custom tailored sports jacket and pants. It was hard not to feel tingly knowing he was going home with her at the end of the night.
"Pretend I ate the last package of Pop Tarts," he said teasingly, having always found her addiction to those things secretly amusing.
Jude frowned automatically, having become a bit territorial about her food these days.
Tommy sniggered because she looked so cute in that moment. "And no ordering sushi," he added, getting another frown from her.
She knew very well the OB/GYN had said raw fish was one of the foods she should stay way from, but she found it a tad bit easier to fall into character at his warning. Jude shifted her weight, gearing herself, ready to attempt an angry stalk across the restaurant floor, until his voice stopped her once more.
"Your necklace," Tommy said, his fingers taking the rings she had looped around a silver chain. He tucked the jewelry into the high collar of her dress before taking her left hand. He traced the large star shape that lay over her ring finger. With the permanent etching on her skin, it didn't matter nearly as much that her wedding set was already gone from her finger. His own ring lay securely in his pocket, leaving the new tattoo showing.
"Hands off me too," she said tartly. "You're sick of me remember?"
Tommy felt a lot of things for her in that moment, overwhelmingly all the time in fact, but disgust was not remotely one of them. He grinned that slow smile that had her insides doing cartwheels. "Did I mention you look great?"
Jude rolled her eyes, placed palms on his chest and pushed playfully. "Stop. We need to get this over with." Her hands fell away and her face became serious. She wasn't exactly looking forward to tonight, knowing how the other woman would flirt with him.
He grew more somber as he let thoughts of Dani, take over. His face fell into the mask of Little Tommy Q , Jude striding a step in front of him, as if she didn't want to be that close. They were supposed to be a feuding couple, the first euphoria of being with someone new, supposedly having faded into memory. Dani would assume she knew enough about Tommy to believe that he would be tired of this rare relationship he had entered under duress. If it had been anyone but Jude she might have had a good chance of being right.
Jude didn't look back as they entered the restaurant, but he knew she was aware of him behind her as he was always aware of her.

The perfectly dressed dark haired hostess led them to the table, the couple already there standing to greet them.
Dani narrowed her eyes marginally, studying them subtly. She thought she saw the signs of strain between the other two, from the way Jude walked a step ahead of Tommy to the sullen, bored expression on his face. She knew better than to show the Cheshire Cat smile that wanted to grace her lips, instead greeting Tommy warmly, kissing him lightly on the lips before saying hello to Jude. "This is Cole Anderson," she introduced the tall man with her. He was attractive with wavy golden brown hair and unusual tawny eyes.
Cole and Tommy did the usual manly greeting, shaking hands and saying meaningless hellos, while Dani and Jude did the same, albeit more softly and without as much posturing.

Jude froze in surprise when Cole next reached out and hugged her, kissing her cheek lightly. "It's good to finally meet you Jude," he said in a deep voice. "I've heard a lot about you."
She gave him a forced smile, and didn't breathe properly until he released her, her back prickling where Tommy was most definitely glaring holes.
Dani and Cole sat down again, across from each other, forcing Tommy and Jude to do the same, so that Tommy was beside Dani and Jude was next to the stranger. And although it made sense for Tommy to sit next to Dani if he was going to get the truth out of her, Jude still didn't have to like it.
"Chivas on the rocks?" Dani asked Tommy familiarly as she waved over their waiter who also held their menus out.
He did his signature Tommy Q cool smirk and leaned back in his seat. "Sure, why not." It was easy to slip into character around his old friend.
Jude studied him covertly, not wanting to let the others in on the fact that she was still interested in what he did. They were supposed to be at odds after all. She found she didn't like this mask he had donned, it reminding her too vividly of the way he had treated her when guilt had made him push her away.

"What about you Jude? What's your poison?" Dani asked in a friendly voice, shaking her from her thoughts.
"Just spring water for me," Jude answered tightly, even though Dani, so far, was acting perfectly friendly.

After the drinks were ordered, Jude was glad to have the menu to hide behind. Even though her appetite had increased, she found she didn't really want to eat.
"Jude did you know Cole's a producer for Fearless?" Dani said brightly, giving Cole, what Jude thought of as a suspicious coy smile.
This managed to pique her interest, since she had been wondering what would have happened if she had signed there instead of G-Major. Did they run a ship as tight as Darius?
"No I didn't. How do you like it there?"
He gave her a small intimate grin and rested his arm on the back of the booth behind her head. "I heard about you from Jeff. He knows I love polishing new talent. I would have loved to produce you. It's too bad you went another route."
Jude made a fake grimace, but not having to pretend to be uncomfortable since she and Tommy were suspended from their jobs after all. Maybe she wouldn't even have a career to go back to. But there was still no way she would ever be sorry about their baby.
The waiter arrived with the drinks saving her from having to reply.
"So where have you been stranger?" Dani asked playfully to Tommy beside her. She ignored the fact that Jude and Tommy were avoiding speaking to one another.
So this was how she was going to play it, pretend that Tommy had no reason to go into hiding.
Just when Jude did not know if she could take anymore of the blatant flirting Tommy raised his hand to his mouth in a casual gesture, catching her eye for the briefest second. With a raise of his ring finger he reminded her of why they were here.
"Another drink?" he asked Dani, even though his gaze remained on Jude. She did look great tonight, and he hated that he couldn't enjoy the time with her instead of going through this false scene. He blinked in surprise when Jude shot him a reproachful look.
"We haven't even eaten anything yet," Jude commented waspishly, glancing down pointedly at the mostly empty glass in his hand. She was amazed she pulled off that tone, when her heart, although heavy with all this acting, was also full, because she was doing this for them too.
"Well Jude, most of us try and have a good time when we go out," Tommy snapped back, even as he wanted to take back the harsh words, even though she had to know he did not mean them.
Before she could come back with a rejoinder Cole cleared his throat uncomfortably, and tried to draw her attention back to him.
She forced a deep breath and exhaled slowly, before turning her face towards him. He was knowledgeable about music at least, even though his arrogance was in abundant evidence. He was a bit too slick for her taste and even she, socially inept as she was, could tell he was sending her some heavy signals. She still wasn't sure how Tommy was going to find out if Dani had been the source of all the tabloids and she wasn't sure she wanted to examine his technique too closely.
Tommy had thought that pregnancy made women softer, more nurturing, but tonight Jude showed a side he had never seen before. He had to admit it was kind of a turn on, maybe because she was a tiny bit scary in that confidence she exuded. What he didn't realize quite yet was that she was fighting too-for their family. He watched her interact with Cole, holding in that irrational part that wanted to get her out of the man's vicinity.
Jude didn't bother to mask her surprise when Dani suggested Tommy go outside with her for a smoke. It was another thing she did not know about him and it burned deep down to know there were things about him Dani had knowledge of and she had not yet learned. Her gaze followed them as they walked to the door, hating to admit that they looked like a matched pair, asking herself once again what would have happened if she weren't pregnant. Would it have been easier for others to get in the way of their relationship? Dani and Tommy had history after all, just like she and Jamie did.

"I really like your stuff I've heard so far," Cole said, catching her attention.
She looked back at him a bit sheepishly, knowing she had been staring for too long. "Thanks…"
"That's actually a reason I wanted Dani to invite me tonight. I can make an offer for Fearless if you can get out of your contract."
Jude blinked at him, totally thrown by the unexpected idea of working for another company. "You do know I'm pregnant?" she asked hesitantly, knowing that could be a sticking point.
"Does it keep you from opening your mouth?" he asked jokingly, getting a small smile from her. "Seriously, I would love to work with you. You've got a great voice."
"But Tommy's my producer…" she protested, unsure where this conversation was going. She had never imagined working with someone else.
"Look I respect Tom's work a lot. He's gotten some great sound out of his artists-But Fearless isn't looking for a new producer right now." The truth was Cole would have bet his paycheck that his boss would jump at the chance to sign Tommy Q, but it wouldn't exactly be to Cole's benefit to share space with someone like him. He was used to being the top dog in the studio.
"Oh," was all Jude could think to say. Her brain felt slow, probably because of the stress of being here. After the lunch this afternoon with Sadie and Kwest, people they trusted cared about both of them and were happy for them, this was a stark contrast, where she was unsure what either Cole or Dani wanted from them. She had told Sadie about tonight and Sadie had questioned if it was a good idea. Jude wasn't sure either, but she hadn't said anything negative, knowing Tommy needed his answers. "Thank you for the offer. I just never expected…"
"Think about it-And give me a call." He took a business card out of his pocket and handed it to her.

The cool night air did not bother them, as Dani held his wrist steady, lighting her cigarette on his flame.
"Thanks," she murmured before putting the butt to her red lips and taking a drag.
He went on to light his own, before flicking the silver metal closed and placing it back in his jacket pocket.
"Why the new tat?" she waved abstractedly in the direction of his left hand.
He held it up for a split second and let his arm fall again, shrugging. "Something I felt like doing."
Dani wasn't horribly curious, knowing of all the ink he had on his body, usually covered by his clothing. She had wondered more than once if maybe he just liked the feeling of getting the artwork done. "I'm surprised you know?" she said softly, tapping her Louboutin stiletto against his shoe.
"About what?" he asked before drawing on his cigarette.
"I never figured you for the traditional guy- staying with the girl you knock up." She was clever enough to know she might sound offensive, but they were good enough friends for her to assume he would let her get away with it. He had always been a bit indulgent with her, as most men were; she had learned that how to bring out that reaction early on, on her father's knee.
"Is that what you think it's about?" he asked coolly, acting the part she expected.
"Well yeah-I mean Jude's nice and all-but we both know you get bored pretty easily Tommy. I could tell you're already having problems."
He gave her a mocking grin and shrugged his broad shoulders nonchalantly. "You don't think I can do a relationship?"
"Well…I always hoped-with the right woman." she said slyly, placing a familiar hand on his arm. "I know you're trying because you believe it's the right thing to do… That tabloid story should have been the perfect excuse to get her out of your life." She shook her head in sympathy for his situation, not realizing how damning her words were, not realizing he had been listening for them.
He didn't disagree, simply stared at her broodingly with those unfathomable blue eyes. "So how do you think I fix this?" he asked blandly, taking another puff from his half-burned cigarette.
"Use me," she answered huskily before stepping closer to him. She was only a little shorter than him in her three inch heels, so did not need to reach up to mold her mouth firmly to his.

He didn't pull away, but neither did he participate and it unsettled her to feel that she couldn't affect him. She pulled back and tried to read his icy eyes, disconcerted by what she found in their depths. There was no warmth there, they were shuttered to her perusal.
"You've been a good friend Danielle." He used her full name and somehow it made her even more uneasy. Tommy let his cigarette fall onto the pavement, rubbing it out with the sole of his shoe. "We should go back in," he suggested without waiting for her reply.
He was already walking back towards the entrance by the time she had put out her own smoke.

Jude stared at them tersely, completely tuning Cole out as they made their way back to the table. What had happened to make Tommy look even more tense than before?
Tommy made sure to catch her gaze, reassuring her with his eyes as he got to them. He knew this had not been easy on either of them and he didn't like the idea of how stress might affect her pregnancy. Maybe he should have thought of that before, but he would make sure they did not stay longer than necessary.
It was a mere twenty minutes before Tommy started to make excuses, the false easy flow of conversation having dried up, when one of the participants was no longer interested in trying. And Jude really was tired, having to stifle a few yawns as the warm restaurant lulled her. They said their goodbyes, Tommy and Jude stood after Tommy had signed the bill.

"Did you ask her?" Dani said to Cole once they were out of hearing.
"She said she'd think about it," Cole said in mild surprise. Most musicians were ambitious to a fault and would have jumped at the opportunity. Jude had only seemed slightly interested in his offer. Maybe his friend was right and Jude was looking for a meal ticket-but he wasn't sure if he bought that. As far as he knew the music she had already put out was her own stuff and that kind of passion couldn't be feigned.
She nodded, but her attention was obviously not on him.
"We should go get the car," Cole mentioned to the preoccupied Dani, who was more interested in the couple that left the table first.
Dani nodded absentmindedly at him, as he finished off his drink. She couldn't make out what Tommy said to Jude from a few feet away, but a second later she saw Jude stalk off, much like she had come in at the beginning of the night, although this time Tommy didn't simply walk behind her. Dani watched him grab her arm, and spin her around, against his body. He whispered against her hair and Dani saw Jude visibly release her tension, her body relaxing against his. Tommy brushed her temple with his lips and took her hand before they continued out the front door. Dani couldn't understand it quite yet. She simply did not have all the information to make sense of how easily Jude and Tommy had let of their supposed annoyance at each other.

He admitted the kiss outside, freely and she nodded, her lips down turned. Even though she understood the necessity, it didn't mean she had to like another woman kissing the man she was in love with. She turned to go and walked, not trusting herself to be completely rational. She felt his hand holding her arm in a firm, but gentle grip, tugging her enough to turn her unwilling body.
Tommy leaned in to whisper against her bare neck, her hair pulled out of her face tonight, only a few long tendrils framing her face to soften the style. "I didn't feel anything-I only want you," he rasped, emotion thickening his voice. Jude's body softened, feeling his warmth, reminding her what was real in front of her.
His lips brushed her temple, the contact soothing her even more. They continued their way out of the restaurant, hands linked.

As they waited for the valet to bring the Porsche around he explained to her what Dani had basically admitted and the way she had acted towards him, not pulling any punches, knowing she needed the honesty.

She looked at his face and tried to read his thoughts. "Are you okay?" Jude asked without a hint of smugness for being right. She barely had a second to catch her breath before he had pulled her in for a quick, heart-stopping kiss.
He drew back and held her upper arms, studying her smooth face. "Aren't you pissed, even a little?" he asked incredulously as he stared down at the wide-eyed, dazed blonde. "She had zero respect for you-the way she acted right in front of you…" He shook his head in disgust, half for the audacity of Dani, half for his own gullibility when it came to the woman. How had he not seen her true nature? Was it because his own was so flawed? He shook himself, willing himself to stay out of that void of self-doubt that had a habit of destroying everything good around him. She deserved better than that from him and he had made promises to her that he meant with his life.

The valet finally pulled up with the car and they quickly got inside.
"Thanks for doing this-tonight," he turned his head to say to her after merging onto the street. When she didn't respond, he turned his head to see that she had already dozed off. He grinned to himself, feeling strangely settled even though tonight was full of revelations that should have been hard to bear. She made it bearable, and he couldn't help staring at her sleeping face for a moment, before turning his eyes back to the road.