Chapter 15
“You really decided to stay here for the holidays?” I ask Jude as we lounge on my couch.
He rubs my sock-covered foot, pressing his thumb into a sore spot along the edge. “I really did. I was just out there for my birthday, and Mum and Dad have my sisters to keep them company. Besides, they’re coming for a visit in February.”
I nod, feeling bashful suddenly; I don't want to be assumptive. "So…what are your plans this week?"
“I figure I'll take Patty to dinner, help dab away her bitter tears."
I swat his arm. "We don't even know if she lost yet."
He gives me a stern look. "She lost."
I consider the way he strode onto the set today like a noble knight. “What is it that you said to Patty when you took Jinxy from her?" I ask, remembering it was humorous.
Jude gives me a wry grin. "Off with you, Dove."
I laugh because Jude says the quirkiest things, made funnier by his distinguished-sounding accent. I repeat the phrase and sigh. “That’s classic.”
It goes quiet for a beat before I speak up again. “I really appreciate you showing up today.” I try to imagine how it would’ve gone with Patty and shiver. “You really saved my bacon. Maybe I can repay you with a nice dinner."
Jude’s smile falls from his face. "Perhaps,” he says thoughtfully. “But on one condition."
My heart thunders out of beat. I can almost hear him spelling it out—we do this on a friendship-only basis. Maybe this is where he’ll break the news that he’s dating Lisa.
If Jude says he wants something platonic—could I agree? Could I be just friends with the man I'm hopelessly in love with?
I gulp. "Okay." It comes out sounding worried and weak.
Jude gives my foot a squeeze. "You allow me to make the dessert. No handheld mixers, I promise."
I pause to soak up the joy. "No handheld mixers? Where's the fun in that?"
I bite my lip and dare myself to say something I should have said in person long ago. “I really am sorry for being so stubborn,” I say. “For pushing you away over something so…fixable.”
“If I hadn’t put you on the defense,” Jude counters, “I would’ve been there when you found out the truth. I’m sorry for that.”
He leans over my legs, his hand gliding up to my knee, and my stomach tightens with wonderful warmth.
“Since that day,” he says, “I’ve tried moving on, but I never stopped loving you.”
He leans in, kisses me so gently that I whimper.
"What do you say?" he asks, his heated breath teasing my skin. “Think we can give this another go?"
I hurry in for another kiss, this one long and lingering.
Jude pulls back enough to look at me. “Is that a yes?”
“Absolutely.”
We kiss again, sensual and slow, before Jude cradles my face and moves to press kisses to my cheek.
“And Jude?” I add.
“Eh?” He moves to my other cheek, and my breath hitches.
“I never stopped loving you either.”
And just like that, his lips are back on mine. The song in the background shifts to Silent Night. It’s the same version that played when I heard Nellie watching Jude’s show last week.
A lot has changed since then.
As Jude and I make up for lost time beside the crackling fire, I lift my thanks to the heavens above.
Getting the slot on Channel Foodie doesn’t seem nearly so important anymore. Having Jude back in my life… that’s the best Christmas gift I could ask for.