Chapter 204

Judy’s POV

“I can’t believe he’s actually taking you on a date,” Nan said, a bright smile on her face. “Why are you so nervous? This is a good thing!”

“Is it though?” I asked, I looked at myself in the mirror feeling a sense of unease in the pit of my belly. It was strange because Gavin didn’t really give me much of a choice. I explained how he asked me out to Nan, and she thought it was the most romantic thing she had ever heard of.

It was kind of romantic where Gavin was concerned; he didn’t do romance… he didn’t do dating. So, I was confused as to why he wanted to take me out. From my understanding, we weren’t in a real relationship; so, why the sudden change of heart? My heartbeat was wildly against my chest as I thought about Gavin and what was expected for tonight’s date. I wanted it to go well… I wanted him to see a different side of me. One that maybe he could actually see a future; but I worried that maybe this was some kind of setup. Like there was an alternative plan that I wasn’t seeing.

I just didn’t understand why he suddenly wanted to take me on a date.

But Nan didn’t seem to think there was an alternative motive; she was just happy that I was finally going out on a date with Gavin Landry, despite myself.

I turned to look at her, my eyes pouring their concern into hers and her expression softened along with her brightened smile.

“You look beautiful Judy,” she told me softly, referring to the dress I was wearing.

One problem with him not telling me anything about this date was that I had no idea what to wear. I glanced down at the casual dress I was wearing, hoping that it worked for whatever it was we were doing. Knowing Gavin, he was most likely taking me to a fancy restaurant to wine and dine me. He was a rich billionaire who owned the largest company in the world; I knew this date was not going to be cheap.

I turned back to the mirror to look at my hair. I had it pulled back and out of my face; it curled down my back and landed just above my hipbone. He liked it when my hair was down, but I also didn’t want it in my face, so I figured this was a happy medium.

Ugh, since when did I care about what Gavin liked?

I just wanted to melt away and let the ground swallow me.

There was a knock on my bedroom door and I didn’t need to look to know who it was. Soon, Sammy walked into my room.

“Do you have everything you need for tonight?” She asked curiously as she looked between me and Nan. “Is there anything I can do for you? I am your handmaiden after all.”

I smiled at her; the new role of her being my maid was weird for us both.

“No,” I assured her. “Thank you though. I think I have everything. I just need to grab my purse.”

Sammy was quick to retrieve my purse. I took a deep breath and turned towards my friends, the nervousness never leaving my expression.

“It’s going ot be fine,” Nan assured me, giving me a quick hug, careful not to mess up my hair or anything. “Just relax and try to have fun.”

I nodded, giving her a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.

I walked downstairs, my heart pounding in my chest as I heard the front door opening and Gavin letting himself into the mansion. It was his mansion after all, so he had every right to let himself in, even if he wasn’t actually living here.

I was expecting him to wear an elegant suit that made me feel underdressed, so I was surprised when I saw that he was wearing a casual pair of jeans and a black button-down shirt that left no mystery of the defined muscles beneath his shirt. His hair was styled in a way that looked tousled, but also purposeful.

I was used to this level of casualness from him, and it made me furrow my brows. Though he was casual, he looked amazing, and my heart skipped a beat.

As he took me in, his eyes poured into mine; I saw that they were dark and filled with something I couldn’t quite distinguish. For a moment, neither of us said anything; we only stared at one another with an awestruck expression.

“I need to get my shoes,” I told him, pointing to the shoe wrack across the front foyer, my hands trembling slightly.

“Wear something comfortable. No heals,” he told me.

I raised my brows at his words, confused by this. I assumed a date with Gavin Landry meant something elegant and worthy, but I’m beginning to think I might have been wrong. Did I hear him incorrectly when he told me he was taking me on a date? Maybe this wasn’t an actual date.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and grabbed a comfortable pair of shoes, putting them on slowly and deliberately.

“Ready to go?” He asked when I returned to him.

I nodded and followed him out of the house, avoiding the curious gazes of Nan and Sammy who were clearly watching us from around the corner.

Once we got outside, I noticed Gavin’s personal car parked out front instead of the one that his staff would typically drive. I furrowed my browns when he opened the passenger door for me.

“You’re driving?” I asked him.

He nodded, a smirk playing on his lips. Despite the smirk, he still had a stoic expression that countered it and I wondered what it even meant.

I got into the passenger seat and Gavin closed the door as I put my seatbelt on. I watched as he ran around the car and got into the driver’s seat. I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen Gavin driving before. I didn’t think he knew how to drive if I were to be honest.

The car started with a roar and Gavin put his seatbelt on.

“You can pick whatever music you like,” he told me, handing me his phone which had the music app installed.

I raised my brows; he was giving me control of the music? That was different than I imagined. As he drove, I scrolled through the thousands of artists on his phone and chose one that I actually liked.

I bobbed my head to the rhythm as Gavin drove through the city; the sun was still up, but it looked as if it was about to start setting soon. It was nearing 5:30 and my stomach was rumbling. I hadn’t eaten all day; mainly because I wanted to be hungry for dinner, but also because of my nerves. I was terrified about this outing, not sure what to expect, it kept me from eating anything out of fear that I’d just throw it up.

Gavin parallel-parked the car in the middle of the city and turned off the engine. He got out of the car and walked around to the passenger door, opening it. He held out his hand for me to take. I took his hand and allowed him to pull me out of the car.

“Such a gentleman,” I teased, raising my brows at him. “Didn’t think you had it in you.”

He raised his right brow at me and then gave me a sheepish shrug.

He started to walk, but when he noticed I was trailing behind him, he slowed his steps so he could walk beside me, another surprising act. I looked up at him, he was looking anywhere but at me, and it made my heart race in my chest. I wondered desperately what he was thinking at that moment.

We started near one of my favorite restaurants, I place that I had frequently gone to with Nan in the past; I hadn’t been there in a while, but they had my favorite cosines and beverages. It was called The Grove, and it wasn’t your typical fancy restaurant, but it was classy enough that reservations were recommended.

It certainly wasn’t a place I could ever see Gavin going. As we walked, I expected to walk past it and towards a more elegant restaurant which I knew were further down the stirp. I was so lost in thought and the view of the fair in the distance caught my attention. I heard the fair was in town and that it was leaving in a few days. I wanted to go with Nan and Sammy, but our lives kind of got away from us and we didn’t have any time. I was a bit disappointed, but I made a promise to myself that I’d catch it next time they were in town.

Gavin cleared his throat, getting my attention and I realized he had stopped walking. I paused and turned to look at him standing outside the entrance of The Grove. He held his hand out for me to take.

“Are you coming?” He asked, raising his right brow.

My heart skipped a beat as I looked up at him and then at the restaurant sign.

“We are eating here?” I asked.

Before he could answer, one of the hostesses walked out of the restaurant, opening the door for us.

“Alpha Landry, welcome to The Grove. It’s an honor that you are chose us for your date this evening. Your table is ready.”