Page 43 of Someday Not Soon

She watches me with amused eyes. “Well, next time you decide you want to stare at me, give me a heads up. That way I can look a little more angelic, and a little less like I do now.”

Right as I’m about to tell her she’s easily the most gorgeous woman, she glances at the digital clock on thenightstand, and bolts upright. “I have to go. Like now. I still need to go back to my parents’ house to pick up my dress before heading to the venue. And shit…the food.”

“I talked to Sherie this morning. She said she was able to move a few things around. She’s going to deliver the food and find a crew to serve it before the start of the wedding.”

“Oh, thank fuck. I don’t know what we would’ve done without her.”

“Let me drive you to your house. Then we can ride to the venue together?” It’s not because I have any selfish intentions. Definitely not because I want to be seen arriving together or because I’m greedy for every extra minute I can spend with her.

Eyeing me as she weighs the possibilities, she stands up. “Okay, sure. Let’s do it.” The hem of my shirt skims her upper thighs, barely covering her ass. It takes every iota of willpower to not let my eyes stay glued to her bare skin.

As we head out the door together, I’m well aware that this whole friend thing is becoming harder with every passing hour. As I follow her, I feel like a dead man walking, knowing I’m inching closer to a line I shouldn’t cross.

Wedding chaos unfolds around us. A dozen-person crew hustles to set up golden Chiavari chairs and wooden lantern centerpieces. Florists weave chrysanthemums and dahlias into every corner, adding bursts of color in every direction. The air hums with a blend of excitementand anticipation as everyone gets ready for the big day.

Since it’s tradition for the bride and groom to avoid seeing each other until the ceremony, the men huddle in one big suite to get ready, while the women have the run of the rest of the house. Madi and Noah are disgustingly obsessed with each other, unable to be apart for more than two seconds. They’ve resorted to shouting through the large wooden doors, proclaiming their love and how much they can’t wait to see each other. It would almost be cute if it weren’t a glaring reminder that I’m depressingly single, with only one person in the world I’d ever settle for. And she’s right down the hall, getting her hair and makeup done, probably trying to forget I exist.

As if she could sense my thoughts, a text from her lights up my phone.

Ella

Hey, do you happen to know if Sherie and the food showed up?

Jude

Yep. They did. Thank god that fiasco is officially over.

Ella

I’m not sure if I ever said it, but thank you for all of your help. I couldn’t have done it without you.

Jude

I’m glad you called me. And for as stressful as it was, it was still kind of fun.

Ella

You have a strange definition of fun. It did feel like we were on some twisted sort of cooking show though.

Jude

Hey, can you come see me when you’re done getting ready?

Ella

Of course. Is everything okay?

Jude

Everything is good. It’s nothing urgent.

Ella

You’re making me nervous.

Jude

Don’t be nervous.

---