Chapter 15

"You quit your job?" Jude finally managed to say after several long minutes. Tom shrugged and flashed her a boyish grin. Jude looked away from Tom's penetrating gaze to stare out the window. She could see the last remaining bits of snow desperately trying to cling on to the earth, but unfortunately start to fade as winter made way to spring. A time of new beginnings.

"So you quit." Jude just couldn't seem to get past that one continuous loop. She cleared her throat and moved to sit up a bit. "How does that work exactly with your classes?" She asked, slightly confused. Tom scratched his head before answering.

"I think I'm going to finish up until Spring Break, so that they'll have some time to find a replacement." Jude nodded slowly.

"And what do you plan to do after that?" She asked. She was still unbelievably shocked that he would give up his whole life just to be with her. She was hardly worth it.

"I hadn't really thought it all the way out yet, but I do have some ideas." Jude shook her head sadly and abruptly stood up.

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you do this." Tom stared at her confused, and slightly hurt. Jude paced his office, not meeting his eyes.

"Let me do what? Quit my job? I told you I didn't enjoy it, and you know, forgive me for thinking that you wanted to be with me too." Jude turned to Tom, the tears evident in her blue eyes.

"I'm not worth it! I can't let you give up your steady income just for me! I'm nothing, really!" She turned her back to him, and faced the door, trying to will away her tears.

"Is that what you really think?" Tom asked, standing up and slowly making his way towards her. "Do you really think so low of yourself that you actually believe that you are not worth anything?" Tom touched her shoulder and turned her around to face him. He stared straight into her eyes that were still brimming with unshed tears.

"Jude, you are the most wonderful person ever. You are worth so much more then me quitting a job that I hate in the first place. You have no idea." Jude looked down at her feet and tried to will away her tears. She hated the fact that she was overly emotional and cried at every damn thing. Tom gently cupped her chin and brought her eyes up to meet his.

"You're worth it." He whispered. He leaned down as Jude closed her eyes and parted her lips. Tom grazed them with the slightest of touch that sent tingles straight from their joined lips to Jude's stomach. He pulled away from her.

"Do you believe me?" He asked. Jude looked up into his eyes and found only the strongest emotions replaying in his dark blue orbs. She smiled playfully before reaching up and pulling him back down for another kiss, only this one far more passionate.