Chapter 0080
Judy’s POV
“I can’t believe you’re actually going on a date with Gavin Landry’s nephew!” Nan shrieked, her voice high-pitched as we both sifted through my wardrobe. Walter was picking me up in just a couple of hours, and I had nothing to wear. My nerves were threatening to turn my stomach into knots.
“Maybe this was a bad idea,” I muttered, turning to face her with a worried frown.
Nan’s expression dropped, clearly baffled.
“Are you kidding me?” She gasped, as though I’d just announced I was giving up on life. “Walter Landry is eye candy. He’s hot—okay, not Gavin Landry hot, but come on, that gene pool is ridiculously strong.”
I rolled my eyes at her overly excited response.
“I’m serious, Nan. What was I thinking?” I said, shaking my head.
“Does it even matter?” she asked, tossing a shirt aside and leaning in, her eyes gleaming. “You said yourself you’re attracted to him.”
“Well, I’d have to be blind not to be attracted to him,” I muttered under my breath, my cheeks warming at the thought of Walter’s intense gaze.
“I just can’t believe you met him by chance at the library,” Nan said, shaking her head. “I never took him for a reader.”
I raised my brows at her, amused.
“He owns his own publication,” I reminded her. “All he does is read and write.”
“Yeah, but I thought it was all for show. I mean, he’s too hot to be cooped up with books all day. He should be modeling or something.”
I laughed at her words, appreciating her playful take on the situation.
I didn’t particularly like having to lie to Nan about how I met Walter. The truth would be too complicated—too dangerous. So, I stuck with the story I’d created: that I’d met him at the library while studying, and he’d just happened to be there. We’d struck up a conversation, and then he asked me out. I had to hope Nan didn’t see through the half-baked excuse.
Nan and I had been aimlessly rummaging through my closet for the past hour, but we hadn’t found the perfect outfit.
“He might be hot, but he’s also intelligent,” I said, pulling out a shirt and inspecting it. “I’ve been following his work for a long time, and I’m really impressed with what he does. I just… I’m worried that he might be too impressed with me.”
Walter’s work had been widely praised, especially his reports and photographs documenting the French Gamma Warriors on the battleground. I’d referenced his work countless times in my own reports.
“What about this?” Nan asked suddenly, pulling out a little black dress and holding it up for me to see.
I frowned, eyeing the dress with skepticism.
“It’s a little small, don’t you think?” I said, raising an eyebrow. “I doubt it’s appropriate for a date with a Landry.”
She rolled her eyes dramatically.
“Then put a sweater over it, Judy,” she said, tossing the dress in my direction. “It’ll show off your legs, and let’s face it, you’ve got killer legs.”
I glanced down at my legs, uncertain.
“Trust me,” Nan added, winking at me. “He’s going to love you in that outfit.”
I blushed at her words, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to make that leap.
“I don’t think I want him to love me,” I said softly, hesitating.
Nan rolled her eyes again, clearly exasperated.
“Just put it on,” she begged. “Please. You’ve got nothing to lose.”
Sighing, I finally gave in. It wasn’t like I had any other options. And honestly, it was a beautiful dress I’d bought a while ago during a shopping spree with Nan—back when my family wasn’t bankrupt, and I still had money to splurge. I wasn’t sure when or where I’d wear it, but Nan had insisted I looked great in it.
I hoped tonight would be the occasion to test it out. I just prayed I didn’t look like… well, a prostitute.
After a long, relaxing shower, I shaved every inch of my body, not that I thought anything might happen tonight. But better safe than sorry. When I finished, I stepped out of the shower, letting the warm steam fill the bathroom as I wrapped a towel around myself.
I brushed my teeth and smoothed out my damp hair until it hung perfectly down my back. Then, I turned to face the dress resting on the counter along with a cute black sweater Nan had paired with it.
Once I slipped into the dress and threw the sweater on top, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror.
I had to admit, I looked pretty damn good. The dress hugged my body in all the right places, and Nan was right—I did have great legs. The sweater added just the right touch of class to the look, keeping it from feeling too revealing or flimsy.
Satisfied with the result, I left the bathroom. The moment Nan saw me, her face lit up, and she shrieked.
“You look amazing!” she practically yelled.
“Shh!” I hissed, immediately glancing at the door. “My mom is sleeping.”
Nan rolled her eyes, but I could see the playful smile tugging at her lips. She was about to say something, but I cut her off.
“Mom’s been better,” I reminded her, a soft ache in my voice. “She’s been up and moving around the house. Went food shopping yesterday, even. She’s working with Dad’s lawyers, trying to get him out of prison. She was exhausted, so she went to bed early tonight.”
Nan’s excitement dampened just a little as she nodded, her expression shifting into something more thoughtful.
“Sorry I haven’t updated you more,” I added quickly, feeling a pang of guilt. “Things have been a little crazy lately.”
Nan smiled softly, then nodded. “It’s fine. I get it. But still, you look amazing.”
I gave her a small smile, but a part of me felt a little more unsettled than I wanted to admit.
