“He’s right. It doesn’t feel right if I don’t.”
“Ok then I support you.” Stella walked over and squeezed my hand.
“Me too.” Declan held up his sandwich and both me and Stella couldn’t help but laugh.
~.~
The next two weeks passed and we were on our last day before the start of fall break. I haven’t seen Jude since the day in front of the English building. He wasn’t in class, not answering my texts or calls, and I didn’t see him anywhere on campus. I would have just stopped by their house, but I didn’t feel like dealing with Knox and the hundred questions he would ask me. Lately Knox has been asking Stella if I had feelings for Declan or Jude. I wish he would just let go of me so he could find his person.
I was leaving my last class when I spotted Ezra sitting on a bench in the court alone. I figured why not ask him since he lives with Jude. “Hey. Have you seen Jude? I need to talk to him, but he’s nowhere to be found.”
“Hey you. Yeah his professors let him finish classes early since he was needed back home. He was in such a rush he packed his bag and forgot his phone.” Home? I tried to think where he could have meant, but I had no idea. It was a realization that there was still so much to Jude that I didn’t know.
“Ok. Will I see you at Delilah’s Thanksgiving night?”
“You bet. Stella’s been bragging about those honey biscuits Delilah makes. She’s been having my mouth drool ever since.” I wanted to say I’m sure it’s the biscuits that have your mouth drooling, but I had no energy to tease him about Stella.
“Yeah they’re amazing, but you better hope Stella and Knox don’t eat them all.”
His mouth dropped open said, “Is the human garbage disposal coming too?” It was funny that I knew he was talking about Declan.
“No he’s spending Thanksgiving with his mom and brothers.” I invited him, but this was his first Thanksgiving without his dad. He didn’t want to leave his mom alone which was understandable.
“Well at least that’s one person I don’t have to worry about eating them all.” Ezra said laughing. I tried laughing too, but my mind was on Jude,
“What’s wrong?” Ezra caught on quick to my mood.
“A lot is on my mind but it’s fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I gave him a quick hug and got in my car to head to Delilah’s.
When I got to Delilah’s house and went inside, there was a huge spread of every favorite food and desert of mine that she makes. Besides the amazing caseworker she is, Delilah is also a fantastic cook.
“Delilah?” I called out. She popped out from behind the island and gave me a scare. “Shit Del! You scared me!”
“Language. Now there’s my girl, I missed you so much!” She rounded the island and gave me a tight hug. I forget sometimes how much I do miss her. With all the drama back at school I barely visited as much as I should have, but I promised myself I would visit more.
“I miss you a ton too. What’s all this?” I motioned my hand towards all the food.
“I didn’t know what you would want, so I made all of your favorites.” She grabbed the plates and passed one to me.
“I just saw you a few weeks ago but thank you, I’ll never turn down your apple turnovers.” Honestly she should have owned a diner or bakery with how good her food is.
We talked about how school was going, which I left all the drama with Jude out, and how living with Stella was going. Delilah look distracted and was doing that nervous tick where she taps her fingers like crazy. I set my fork down and said, “I’m starting to think you made me all my favorites because you’re about to tell me something that you are unsure on how I will react.”
She looked at me with wide eyes and said, “Wow that was a mature observation. Seems like your sessions with Dr. Fully are paying off.”
“Yeah I like him, he’s good.” I was starting to get confused as to where this was going.
“I started dating someone I’ve been friends with for awhile now.” Delilah said fast.
“Ok? That’s great, but why are you acting like it’s a secret. You know you’re an adult and can date.” I said jokingly.
She gave a little nervous laugh and yelled, “Honey can you come down here.”
My eyes went straight to the staircase where Dr. Fully was walking down. I wasn’t surprised it was him since the two of them always flirted when they thought I wasn’t listening. I picked up my fork and started to finish my turnover.
“Hello Madison.”
“Hey Doc, try this.” I pushed my plate over and he picked up the turnover to try it.
“Damn that’s good. How’s school?”
“Same old, same old. How’s the office?”
“Same old, same old.” We fist bumped and went back to eating our turnovers while Delilah’s eyes kept looking back and forth between me and Doc.
“You want some or are you planning to catch flies with your mouth open like that.”
Delilah shut her mouth and cleared her throat by saying, “Did you understand when I said I was dating and called Scott in, that he is the one I’m dating.”
“Yeah took you long enough Doc.” He spit the piece of turnover he had in his mouth out.
“What do you mean by it took me long enough?” They both looked at me with innocent eyes. I swear they are acting like I am five years old and have no idea when two adults like each other they start to date.
“You guys do know I’m an adult and I know what flirting is,
