A sudden lurch caused us to spring apart as I looked breathlessly out the limo windows at the brilliant lights of the 'The Golden Medallion' outside. I couldn't help but blink at the obnoxious brightness, almost wishing that the world would fade into some weird twilight zone dimension where the only thing that existed was Tom and I, but, alas, my prince sighed and opened the car door ceremoniously to reveal us both to the wonderful and cruel world of reality. Let's just hope this whole adventure didn't turn into a pumpkin at midnight because I sure as hell didn't have any glass slippers to leave behind. Besides, I had no intention of running.
Kwest and Portia met us at the door as we walked over to the entrance slowly, and I looked around cautiously as Portia leaned in close.
"He already went in with his date, Jude." Portia remarked almost sarcastically as I looked into the dining room. Tom must have noticed my hesitation because he squeezed me gently on the shoulder before brushing past me into the joint.
"Why don't I go find where they have us, and you can join me in a sec." Tom said casually as Portia raised a brow and looked up at Kwest.
"Now would be a good time for me to go find Sadie and escape to the powder room." Portia said with a slight edge to her voice as she stomped into the dining area looking for my sister. Kwest just sighed.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Jude." He said carefully as I looked up at him warily. What was it with these people?
"Why can't everyone just let this go?" I said haltingly—finally letting the small crack to my voice reveal itself—knowing that as I did, I was letting Tom's own best friend see through to my torment. Kwest placed his hands on my shoulders before turning me to face him.
"It's not you and Tom, per say. It's you and the ramifications that are involved with getting to know Tommy Quincy—the man and not the Boyz Attack legend. There are things about him, Jude that…well that he doesn't share, and I just don't want you to walk into this whole complex unity blind-sided." Kwest stated cryptically as I felt a shiver steer itself down my spine in trepidation.
"What aren't you telling me, Kwest?" I asked quietly as I saw Tom approaching us from across the room. Kwest glanced over his shoulder in his direction as well before rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.
"I know you hate the whole age difference analogy, Jude, but the truth is Tom has been through a whole lot of shit you can't even begin to imagine. It has hardened him into the emotional knot you see before you today. If you're that determined, then I promise you'll end up finding it out on your own." He said before turning toward Tom as he stepped up to us with a grin.
"Go have fun you two." He said with a small laugh as Tom looked at Kwest suspiciously before taking my arm and walking across the room with me. Kwest was right. I knew that. I mean, damn, part of my attraction to Tom was that whole mysterious aura that seemed to waver around his persona. Looking at the candle-lit table that he stopped at before pulling out my chair, I pushed the worries out of my head. At this point, I didn't care about anything but this moment. I was freakin' tired of worrying about repercussions. I just wanted passion and, looking steadily at Tom as he smiled before taking his seat, I started to realize that I might even want something more.