I just stood there stunned. Oh, this so was not happening! But I also knew that I had to say something. Tommy had no idea what Portia had told me about him and Felicia, and I had no desire to share it with him. I was uncomfortable enough with the fact that, even though I was still hyperventilating over seeing Tommy in a towel, Felicia had seen ever so much more. Don't you just hate it when you meet someone for the first time and you already dislike him or her based on principle? Uggghhhh! Where's Prozac when you need it? I pasted a smile on my face as I stepped forward and shook her hand nonchalantly.
"It's nice to meet you, Felicia. Portia was just telling me the other day about the new publicist they hired to help her at G Major. She had quite a lot to say." I remarked through clenched teeth smiling until my jaw hurt even though the smile never quite made it into my eyes. Obviously, Felicia was smarter than I gave her little brown head credit for because she instantly realized what Portia had probably told me, and her smile quickly turned from sunny to mischievous. She shrugged.
"Well, I am looking forward to working with everyone." She said cattily as she let her gaze roam over Tommy's body. I knew she was trying to get a rise out of me, but I had so out-grown that philandering stage in my life. Trust me, I will not fight over Tommy anymore. Tommy can decide what Tommy wants to do and who he wants to be with. I had learned my lesson the hard way. You can't say you have to teach me the same thing twice. I had already lost Tommy once when I asked him to choose between Sadie and I. So there. No more making him choose. Therefore, I just calmly perused her as I picked up the cell phone and purse I had dropped earlier at the door.
"I'll just bet you do." I replied as I looked over my shoulder at Tommy who was glancing around the room as if he was uncomfortable. It wasn't until after I spoke again that he looked up at me in surprise. I'm pretty sure he had guessed what Portia had told me too and was clearly expecting me to start a scene. Well, surprise big boy! It's called growing up. Notice, will you?
Felicia was wearing a very low cut leopard print tank and blue jean skirt, and I could tell just from the way she was sashaying in front of Tommy what her next scheme obviously was. Hold up, girl. Two could play this game. She delicately 'let' slip a group of keys she had been holding pinched between her fingers and was just about to pick them up when I touched her shoulder politely.
"Let me get that for you." I said sweetly as I leaned over slowly, thanking God and Portia over and over again that I had decided to wear an off shoulder V-neck today. Lifting up gradually, I let Felicia and Tommy both get an eyeful of the curves that had developed over the past year before gently handing Felicia her keys and sashaying out the door. It was time to let them know that I was far beyond being intimidated. Stopping in the hall, I spinned on my heel just long enough to peer at Tommy with a grin.
"I assume I'll be seeing you at the studio?" I asked with a quirked brow while he looked me over as if seeing me with brand new eyes. Suddenly realizing I had asked him something, he quickly nodded before quirking his own brow and throwing me a grin. It didn't matter how many times he looked at me like that or how many stolen kisses I have ever shared with him, his gaze always made me burn as hotly as I did the first time I laid eyes on him. If only he knew.
I turned and walked away envisioning Felicia and Tommy doing more than just standing around in Kwest's bedroom, and I berated myself for allowing my over-active imagination to get the better of me. Bumping into Kwest on the way out, I discussed the changes on my song with him and he agreed to work on it with me. I was just about to start my walk to the studio when Devon Moore pulled up to the curb in a very sporty, very flashy luxury sports car. He smiled politely at me and waved at the passenger seat.
"Can I give you a ride over?" He asked nicely, grinning as he glanced at the road in front of him. I shrugged.
"Sure. There's one drawback to the heels Portia is determined I wear. They are murder to walk in." I said with a laugh as I walked around the front of the car and climbed into the passenger seat. Hesitating as I slammed the door, I looked at him and grinned.
"I can't understand you boys and these open-topped sports cars. Every time I see one, I get this incredible urge to take a running leap into the seat. I mean, what's the point of wasting a door when all you have to do is climb in. It's kind of like stairs. Whenever I see stairs, I revert to my eight-year-old mentality, and I literally have to slap myself to keep from sliding down the banister." I said with a chuckle as Devon laughed next to me.
"I have to admit you are one of the most refreshing artists my father has ever worked with." Devon said as he cocked his brow sardonically. I couldn't help it. I took the bait.
"And why's that, Junior?" I asked him curiously. He just smiled and shifted in his seat.
"Because you can sit in a room with you for five minutes and already know everything you need to know about Jude Harrison. You are one of the most honest and artless people I have ever had the pleasure to meet." He said quickly as he turned back around and put his hand on the gearshift. It was then, as I stared at him aghast at the compliment, that I noticed we had not pulled away from the hotel yet and that Tommy (who was standing in the entrance of the hotel) had just witnessed the entire thing. He must have followed me out without me realizing it. I looked wide-eyed at Tommy as Devon began to pull away from the curb, showing him with my eyes that Devon was right. I had no talent at being dishonest and therefore the feelings that shown in my eyes for him were completely and utterly real. A corner of his mouth lifted into a smile as I remembered the last moment we spoke face to face before the tour.
"This tour's a good thing, Jude. I won't walk away." He whispered softly.
"Remember what you said about knocking down doors if you ever found one locked?" I asked on a shaky breath.
"Yeah." He answered as I placed my hand on his shoulder.
"Well, Are you any good at draining oceans?" I asked with a slight grin. Tommy smiled back and laid his forehead against mine.
"I'm one hell of a swimmer, Jude." He answered with a laugh.
And as I watched as the hotel faded away from sight, I couldn't help but hope Tom remembered that moment as well.
