Page 12 of Royally Scr*wed

CHAPTER 5

CHARLIE

Idon’t know how long Jude has been gone or where he wandered off to, but I feel the bed dip when he curls back up next to me and sighs.

“I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“It’s okay,” I whisper, snuggling closer to him. “Everything alright?”

“Just taking care of some business. I’m sorry I left without telling you, but I wanted to make sure you got your rest,” he kisses my forehead. “We should both get some more sleep.”

“Mmm. Sounds good.”

It doesn’t take long for Jude’s eyes to drift closed and his breathing to even out. I’m not far behind him.

The next time I wake, Jude is awake but sitting up in bed next to me, scrolling through his phone. The morning sun is peeking through a small gap between the curtains that Jude must have pulled shut at some point.

“Good morning,” I say, propping myself up so that I can kiss him.

He wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me in close. “Morning. Were you able to sleep well, my love?”

“As well as one can, given the situation,” I answer, honestly.

Jude nods. “Agnes brought us both breakfast and tea.”

“Have you eaten?” I ask as I climb out of bed.

“Not yet.”

“Hm. I’ll be right back,” I kiss him again before I hit up the bathroom.

After I’ve handled my business and thrown on some pajamas, I rejoin Jude in the bedroom and take his hand. “Join me.”

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past weeks it’s that Jude had made a habit of eating on the go or skipping meals all together. But he does keep promises which means we’ve been sharing meals with one another. In the end, it’s a win-win for both of us.

We sit across from each other at the small café style table, and I make us both a plate while Jude fixes our tea – mine with a little sugar, his with a splash of whiskey.

“How is Ozzy?”

“He’ll make a full recovery. And not a moment too soon,” he says with the tiniest hint of a smile. “He’s driving Agnes insane.”

“It’s no wonder you two are friends,” I tease.

“Mrs. Rexford are you insinuating thatIdriveyouinsane?” he raises a brow.

“All day. Every day. In more ways than one,” I tell him as I pop a piece of toast in my mouth.

“Come ‘ere,” Jude crooks his finger at me and pats his lap.

I stand from my chair and close the short distance between us, straddling his thighs.

He snuggles his face against my neck and sighs contently. “Have I told you how glad I am that you’re here?”

“You may have mentioned it once or twice,” I answer with a kiss on his cheek. “How areyouholding up?”

Jude shakes his head. “Don’t worry about me. When all of this is over, I think I owe you a proper wedding, not the shit show we endured yesterday. And a honeymoon.”

I shrug. “I don’t need another wedding, Jude. Though, a short vacation may be nice.”

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