Hi - here's my last post before I leave on vacation (yay!). I'll be back next Wednesday, but to be honest, this is one of the first times when I don't have a lot written...I know where I want to go, I just have to figure out how to get there. I'm hoping to find inspiration in good ol' California and bring it back for the story. So hopefully, there will be a post on Wednesday, but if not, then definitely Thursday. I promise. :-)
I quickly wanted to say that I can't believe two things: 1. How long this story is--I seriously didn't think I would surpass The Blackout, but who knew? and 2. How many reviews this story has. It's amazing--some of you consistently review every chapter, whether you like it or not, and I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me. Reading those reviews is like gold--it totally brightens up my day and makes me want to come up with more good stuff for everyone. So thanks again :)
I hope everyone has a good week and that you like this chapter ending (I think it's cute). And of course--ENJOY!
Five minutes later, Jude sat fidgeting in the seat in front of Georgia's desk. She had walked down the hall and saw Tommy and EJ talking in his office. She shot him a nervous glance as she proceeded towards Georgia's office, afraid of what she would happen once she got there.
"Jude, you know I spoke to Tommy yesterday," Georgia started, to which Jude nodded. "I haven't discussed this matter with Darius yet but I wanted to confirm that Tommy really was representing both of you."
"Of course," Jude replied confidently.
"It's just that I would've assumed you would've come with him to tell me."
"I wanted to," Jude said candidly, "but Tommy insisted on telling you himself. He felt strongly about it, so I let him. But I promise, everything he said came from me, too."
Georgia nodded in understanding. "I obviously don't have an answer for you Jude, but I assume Tommy shared my concerns with you."
"He did," Jude replied. "We knew telling you would be a risk. But we wanted to be honest."
"I appreciate that," Georgia said, leaning forward into her desk. "But unfortunately, that doesn't change the fact that we have our policies here."
"I understand," Jude said quietly.
"Good," Georgia said. "For the record, Jude, I am happy that you came forward with this. And I can tell that you are happy together."
"We are," Jude agreed. "I know it seems strange, with the age difference and everything—"
"It doesn't, actually," Georgia interrupted. "Maybe it should, but I know you both. I don't think it's strange at all. I actually think it's a good fit."
"Really?" Jude asked in surprise.
"Yes," Georgia said, standing up and walking towards Jude to sit down in the chair next to her. "I want you to know that regardless of what the decision will be, I really am happy for you, Jude."
"Thank you," Jude said softly, smiling.
"The fact that he offered to take a pay cut to keep working with you is the most shocking thing I've heard come out of his mouth…" Georgia muttered with a snicker. "That's love."
"What?" Jude questioned, genuinely baffled by her comment.
Georgia saw her reaction and realized instantaneously that Jude wasn't aware of Tommy's offer. "Ohhh…I shouldn't have said anything…"
"He offered to do what?" Jude asked, her expression a mix of confusion and shock.
Georgia sighed. "He wants to keep working with you. And he was willing to do whatever it takes to keep things intact. So he offered to take a salary cut."
"He did? What kind of salary cut?" Jude said, stunned by her words.
"A pretty substantial one," Georgia replied. "I told him that I'm not sure if that will make any difference, seeing as it's against policy regardless of how much he's being paid, but he made it pretty clear that his priority is you. And working with you."
"Wow…" Jude said, still shocked. "That's like telling me that he's selling the Viper."
Georgia smirked. "Exactly. Although with the salary he offered to take, that car collection of his would definitely have to decrease…" Georgia said, still seeing disbelief in Jude's eyes. "Jude, he may not have wanted you to know that. I probably shouldn't have said anything."
"No, no, it's okay," Jude said, snapping out of her daze. "I won't say anything."
Georgia nodded and stood up again. "Well, I will certainly let you know once a decision has been made. In the meantime, I trust that the two of you are on your best behavior in the studio. Got it?"
Jude nodded and agreed, "Got it."
"Good. Thanks, Jude," Georgia said, walking her out.
"Well, thank you," Jude replied turning towards her. "For everything."
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Jude kept her promise and didn't mention a word of their conversation to Tommy, though she could not forget what Georgia had told her. A week and a half later, Jude and Tommy still had not heard about the decision on them working together. Georgia had informed them that Darius, who had returned from his business trip, and Liam were both made aware of their relationship, but that they needed time to deliberate. So every day like clockwork, Jude would stop by Georgia's office, stick her head in and shoot Georgia a questioning look as if to ask "Anything?" And everyday, she received the same reaction—a shake of her head to say no.
Knowing that all three of their bosses were now aware of their relationship only increased their level of anxiety. They were constantly paranoid that one of them would walk in on them and expect to see something going on, so they maintained their distance at the studio and tried to act as professionally as possible. Even Kwest was impressed with their level of maturity, though he continued to point out the subtle looks and googly eyes he caught them giving each other during work hours.
To keep herself distracted, Jude focused her attention on her birthday dinner. Although EJ was still resistant to the idea of just having a dinner, she gave in to Jude's wishes and agreed to plan it. They settled on having it at the back room at Luigi's, Jude's favorite Italian restaurant. There were a little over 15 people invited, including her parents, a few friends, and some people from the studio. Though Jude repeatedly pushed EJ for details, EJ insisted on handling everything on her own.
"What about invitations?" Jude asked EJ, who was seated across from her at the conference room table.
"It's been taken care of," EJ said quickly, filing her nails.
"And the menu? What about which menu items we get to choose from?" Jude questioned, getting frustrated at the lack of information being shared.
"Jude, for the last time, it's all been taken care of," EJ said, briefly stopping filing her nails to glare at Jude. Jude huffed at the response and leaned back in her chair.
"But I wanted to be part of the planning," Jude whined.
EJ set the nail file down on the table and looked carefully at Jude. "Most people would thank me for taking care of all of these tedious decisions, but you just can't be happy, can you, Jude?"
Georgia, who sat at the head of the table, cleared her throat to ease the tension and swiftly said, "Okay, that's enough, EJ. You need to go through all of your decisions with Jude."
"But Georgia," EJ said promptly, leaning onto the table, "I…can't. I don't have all of the paperwork in place yet."
"But you've made decisions about this dinner and they need to be discussed with her. Got it?"
"Got it," EJ replied as she slumped back in her chair and picked up her nail file again.
After forcing some basic information out of EJ, the meeting was drawn to a close and Jude headed for Studio B. Tommy was sitting by himself in there when she entered.
"Hey, how are birthday plans going?" he asked, spinning his chair around to see her.
"They're going," she replied with a sigh, collapsing in the chair beside him. "So, what are your plans for my birthday?" she asked flirtatiously.
"What? What do you mean?" he asked, his brows scrunched up in confusion.
"Well, I'm assuming you and I are going to do something to celebrate…besides, well, you know…right?" she asked with a hopeful glance.
"Ummm, Jude," he started, running his fingers through his hair. "I honestly haven't planned anything."
"Really?" she questioned quietly, surprised at the sincere look on his face. "Nothing?"
"I'm sorry, Jude. Everything's just been so busy—" he started, seeing her expression grow somber.
"I know, it's fine," she stated quickly, getting up from her chair. "I just thought this was important to you too."
"It is," he said, grabbing her wrist to force her to stand still. "But I've just been really preoccupied lately."
She nodded and looked down, clearly disappointed, as he continued, "But your dinner is going to be great, right? And I'll be there."
"It's not the same," she muttered quietly. "Unless you're planning on telling my parents that night, we can't really hang out at my dinner like I thought we would."
"Well, I wasn't planning on breaking the big news on the actual night of your birthday, but I'll still be there to celebrate with you. And I promise to make it as special as I can," he promised, trying to catch her gaze.
"Fine," she replied shortly, pulling her arm out of his grasp and walking towards her guitar in the corner. He watched her go and sighed deeply, swiveling his chair back around to face the sound board and out of her view. As he heard her tuning the guitar behind him, his lips slowly turned upwards to reveal the smallest, subtlest smile.