Page 28 of Vicious Addictions

Jude has more scruples than that.

Ugh.

But that’s fine. I can wait.

I mean, Ihavebeen waiting.

Nineteen months, six days, eleven hours, and…thirty-three minutes, to be precise.

But hey, who’s counting?

I am.

I’m counting.

Sigh.

But that’s okay. Because once I turn eighteen… all bets are off.

With that glorious thought swimming in my head, I wander around the church, biding my time—waiting for Jude, waiting for my birthday, waiting for the moment he finally stops seeing me as just a friend.

Waiting… waiting… always waiting.

I’m actually considering prayer as a way to speed things up when Jude emerges, looking lighter. Cleansed, I suppose.

“Confess all your sins?” I tease as he takes my hand, leading me toward the exit.

“Almost all of them.”

“You held some back?” I gasp in mock horror. “Isn’t that sacrilegious?”

He glances sideways at me, a small smirk playing on his lips. “Some things are better left unsaid. Don’t you think?”

Is that a dig at me?

My stomach twists, but I stay quiet, choosing to savor the warmth of his hand wrapped around mine instead of asking him what he meant by that.

As always, my father’s chauffeur is already waiting for us in the lot, but rather than walking toward the car, Jude halts his step and glances up at the cloudless sky.

“How about we walk home? It’s a gorgeous day. What do you think?”

A slow smile spreads across my lips as I give him a nod.

“I could do with a walk.”

Though I love the time we spend together in the manor, it’s full of watchful eyes. Aunt Pippa, the twins—they all have a habit of showing up when I least expect them. Walking home, just the two of us, sounds like heaven.

Huh?

Maybe I’m starting to become a believer after all.

After telling the driver to head back without us, we set off through a shortcut behind the church, the spring air crisp and fresh around us.

“I talked to your father last night,” Jude says casually.

“And?” I glance over at him.

“I start shadowing his underboss on Monday.”

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