Pawsitively Improvised

Walk of Confusion

Chapter 10

She had four parents left to go. Their kids were scheduled as late pickups due to work hours. The receptionist clicked away on her computer. The daycare was quite at that time of day. She found her mind drifting off going over a mental checklist of what was left to do.

“What are you doing?” A squeal left her mouth as she turned a glare on Jude.

“My job. What are you doing here?”

“I came to see why you stood me up.”

“What are you talking about?”

“We have an appointment and you’re twenty minutes late.” That wasn’t possible. They had agreed upon an hour after her shift every day, so she had time to take care of her dog. Moving her gaze over to the wall clock, she bit her lip. Her shift was done a while ago. She had been so busy talking with parents that the time had gone unnoticed.

“I’m sorry. I should have texted. I’ve been caught up with work stuff and completely forgot.” His eyebrows rose as he took a moment to look her over. She ignored him while moving her attention over to the entrance. Now would be the perfect time for one of those last parents to come in.

“I’ll keep you company until you’re done.” She narrowed her eyes as they landed back on him.

“I think I’m going to have to cancel our lessons tonight. I still have to take Renaldo out when I’m done here. It’ll be too late.”

“I have nothing else to do tonight.” He shrugged his shoulders with a smile similar to Kevin’s earlier. She wanted to slap it right off his face.

“I’m sure you have something. Even if you don’t. I do.”

“Oh, do you?”

“Yes, and they don’t include you.” She knew she sounded like a snot, but she couldn’t help it. There was something about Jude that set her off on sight.

“That’s just rude. I thought we were friends.”

“I don’t even know you!”

“Sure, you do. I’m a great coach. I’m also decent looking in a pair of swimming trunks. Not to mention my amazing personality.” She would have snorted at him if the receptionist hadn’t beat her to it. Apparently, not all the women at the center fell all over themselves for him. To be fair, the woman was old enough to be his mother. There were also several pictures of her grandchildren on her desk.

“Ruth! I’m wounded.” He grabbed at his chest dramatically. The receptionist kept typing away, ignoring Jude with his antics.

“I can see your winning her over all right.”

“She’s happily married. Her husband’s a lucky man.” She shook her head as Ruth blushed a bit even though she wasn’t going to be detoured.

“Please just go home. We can pick up lessons tomorrow.” Since arguing was getting her nowhere, she tried pleading. Jude shook his head.

“No can do. I was going to tell you at the pool that I'd be gone for the weekend. It’s my mom’s birthday.”

“That’s oddly endearing and not something I expected to hear from you.”

“Why?”

“Maybe because you have been nothing but irritating since I’ve met you.” He gasped loudly, acting like her words hurt him severely. She was saved from hearing his next taunt when her boss came out of her office.

“Kira? What are you still doing here?” She held the last four forms up sheepishly as an explanation.

“You could have left the last ones with Ruth.”

“It’s my job to do. I wasn’t going to pawn it off on others.” Her boss sighed as her eyes moved past her to Jude.

“And what are you doing here?”

“I came to pick Kira up.” Walking up beside her, he slung his arm across her shoulder. Glaring, she pushed him off.

“I had a swim lesson tonight, but I was trying to reschedule.” Her boss looked between the both of them. Quirking an eyebrow, her mouth twitched with the smile she was holding back.

“Since you have plans already, we won’t keep you.” She wanted to gravel at her feet to allow her to stay. Logically, she knew Renaldo needed to be let out and soon. She also knew Jude would follow her right out the doors.

“I need to finish this.”

“Nonsense. Run along and have a nice night. I’ll see you on Monday, Kira.”

“Monday?” Jude would catch that bit. Even though he had gotten her work schedule, he obviously hadn’t looked at it. Otherwise, he would have known she had the weekend off.

“Are you sure?” This time her boss chuckled. It had been more than obvious she was trying to avoid Jude. It’s not like she was being particularly subtle about it. Though her reasons for calling off the lesson were reasonable enough. Instead of answering, her boss walked over and took the remaining papers from her hands. She was certain that a whimper left her at the action.

“Go.” It wasn’t a request. Jude wrapped his arm around her back, guiding her to the door. Before the two of them disappeared out of the building, she cast one more desperate glance over her shoulder. It was no use. She was only met with smiles and waves by the other two women. Life wasn’t fair.

Walking out into the evening air, she pulled away. Moving to a safe distance, she folded her arms across herself.

“Is it really so awful being around me?” The vulnerability in his voice caught her off guard. He always seemed entirely confident. It was odd enough that she stopped herself from her initial reaction to argue with him.

“It’s not awful. I just don’t like being the object of others' jealousy. I’ve never had to deal with it before.”

“I’m not sure I believe that.” She shrugged in response, not really feeling comfortable enough with him to unpack her past to him. “You’re always so uptight.”

“Uptight?” That was an unpleasant description. Jude cringed. Whether it was the shrill tone of her voice or because he realized how bad it had sounded.

“That’s not what I meant. You’re just tightly wound all the time. You need to relax.” She rolled her eyes at him.

“That’s not any better.”

“Maybe, but it’s true.” Sighing, she shook her head.

“You don’t know me. We don’t know each other.” Silence fell between the two of them. Looking at him from the side, she noticed he seemed to be deep in thought. Time had long since passed when they usually parted ways. Sweat started to crop up as she debated whether to bid goodnight or keep it to herself. She didn’t want to be rude. Which she acknowledged was not their usual routine. Now she was distracted by inner turmoil. It was only Jude’s hand on her arm stopping her that brought her back. Frowning, she found that they were in front of her apartment building. Her eyes frantically began searching the area for anyone that would see them together.

“You’re not still determined to do the swim lesson are you?”

“No. I’ll let you off this time.”

“Okay.” Her voice trailed off uncertainly as she tried to figure out why he had walked her that far. Jude chuckled as he watched her. Now she had a whole new problem. What was he waiting for? He should have said goodbye by now. Shouldn’t he? Questions raced through her mind as she tried to work through what was happening. At that point, he was openly laughing at her. What a jerk. He was the one causing her anxiety and he had the gall to laugh. He was actually wiping tears from his eyes. She had half a mind to kick him in the shin and run inside. If only he knew what she was thinking. That and she’s a crap shot. She’d be aiming for his leg but likely nail him between the legs instead. Too bad for him, but she’d have something humorous then.

“I’m adopted.” Well, that was unexpected.

“What?” Smiling, he shrugged while starting to walk away backwards.

“Information Kira.” Turning around, he waved while getting further down the sidewalk.

“What the hell!?” Nothing. No answer. No explanation. What was she supposed to do with that?