Page 136 of The Invitation

“Maybe.” I shoot over to her and drop a kiss on her cheek. “Thanks for being you.”

“Tell him,” she calls to my back as I hurry to my room and collect a few things, including clean work clothes for tomorrow. I smile as I pack my gym bag, stuffing in my hoodie. I definitely need a hug. A Jude hug. And I know it’ll lead to sex.

To heaven.

I don’t bother changing, calling an Uber and walking to the main road, tracking it on my phone to the corner. I jump in.

“Oxfordshire?” the driver asks in question.

“I’ll tip if you get me there within an hour.”

A smile creeps across my face, the anticipation unstoppable.

I love him.

I didn’t plan for it to happen, but here I am.

In love.

And I need to tell him.

Chapter 32

Stan is in his usual spot when my driver pulls around the fountain. “Miss Lazenby,” he says as he opens the door for me. “Looks like you made it just on time—we have rain coming in. Do you have any bags?”

“On the seat,” I say, getting out and letting him lean in to retrieve it as I look up at the black sky. “I can take it.”

“Not at all. I’ll have it delivered to Mr. Harrison’s apartment.”

I smile my thanks and hurry up the path to Arlington Hall. The glass doors slide open, letting me in, and I find the lobby is quiet, all guests probably in the bar or at dinner. I pass the empty reception desk, looking into the Library Bar, my steps faltering when I see Katherine’s husband in one of the chairs by the fireplace, a beer in his hand, a smile on his face. I can’t see Katherine opposite him, but I can see her black-booted stiletto heel by Rob’s knee swinging a little where her leg’s crossed.

On a mild scowl, I take the stairs two at a time, my anticipation growing.

I can smell him.

Pushing my way through various doors, I arrive at Jude’s apartment and knock, my impatience getting the better of me. So I knock again, listening, waiting. Bursting with desperation to see him.

The door finally swings open, and there he is in all his wonderful, stunning glory. And I know in this moment, without doubt, I’m headover heels. My stomach is doing cartwheels. I move forward and put myself in his chest, getting my lips on his.I love you!

“Amelia,” he says around my mouth, holding on to me. But he doesn’t return my kiss. In fact, he feels tense.

I pull my face away from his but not my body, looking at him. All the wonderful feelings fall away. I don’t like what I see. He’s nervous.

“I thought I’d surprise you,” I say, a horrible chill tickling its way down my spine.

“Well, you’ve certainly done that.”

I retreat, putting him at arm’s length. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just ... I wasn’t expecting you. You said you’d call me back.”

This isn’t the welcome I was hoping for. “I decided to come inst—” The chink of a glass from inside his apartment stops me from finishing, and I look past him, the chill down my spine turning icy. “You’re not alone,” I say quietly.

“I ...” He rakes a hand through his hair. “Shit.”

I swallow, pushing past him, marching into his apartment, my legs on autopilot.

“Amelia!” he yells, pursuing me.

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