Page 21 of Out of Reach

Hawk opened the door of the restaurant, standing aside so Jude could pass through.

A waitress led them to a table in the corner, and they both ordered chicken curry and naan.

Leaning sideways, Jude waved to someone behind Hawk.

When Hawk turned to see who it was, he asked, “Is that the server from our rooftop lunch?”

“Yeah. Zion. I met him when I modeled at Utopia. He worked in the mailroom then. He’s been trying to get into modeling for the past two years.”

“He seemed excited about getting out of the mailroom,” Hawk commented, remembering the young man’s smile as he’d told Jude.

“I’m sure he is. I worked in the mailroom for a few months and hated it. Zion did it for at least a year.”

“Well, maybe he’ll get his big break now that he’s working closer to the boss.”

“I hope so.”

“Why the long face?” Hawk asked.

Jude shrugged. “I just feel bad when I remember Sam’s the reason I finally got to model.”

Hawk patted Jude’s hand. “Like you pointed out to me, it wasn’t like you weren’t any good at it.”

“I know. But it seems like cheating when I look back on it now.”

Hawk shook his head. “Lots of jobs require you to know someone to get a foot in the door. You’re gorgeous, Jude. And talented. Don’t sell yourself short.”

Jude’s smile lit up his face.

“You know, you’re much cuter when you smile than when you scowl,” Hawk teased him.

“Hawk,” Jude complained.

“Jude,”Hawk mimicked him.

“Be serious, would you?”

Hawk sighed. “Fine.” Leaning back in the booth, he looked around the small restaurant. “Who would have thought we’d cross paths again?”

“You say it like we ran into each other on the street instead of you making the decision to take this case,” Jude retorted.

“Hey, I never expected to see your name on a case. But I’d always hoped I’d see you again.”

“Why?” Jude asked.

Hawk hadn’t planned on spilling his guts, but the words just tumbled out of his mouth. “Because I missed you. From the moment you left to the moment I saw you again in that dump of an apartment, I missed you.”

After laying himself bare like that, it was a struggle for Hawk to hold Jude’s gaze, but he managed to.

“Why are you saying this?” Jude asked.

“Because it’s true. And because I spent too many years not telling you how I felt.”

Shaking his head, Jude said, “That’s all water under the bridge now.”

“So, I shouldn’t even try to tell you? Jude, since you left, I’ve had all this time to do nothing but think about it.” Maybe that came out a little accusing, but Hawk couldn’t help it. It was the truth.

Jude scoffed. “I’m sure you’ve done plenty of other things besides sitting around thinking about us.”