Page 81 of The Plus One
He’s mine.
He’s mine.
I’m his.
CHAPTER 27
Jude
T-MINUS TWO DAYS UNTIL THE WEDDING
“Why am I so nervous?” Indira whispered as she smoothed her hands over her hair in the car visor mirror. It sprang back up with a beautiful vengeance.
“I mean, it’s pretty understandable,” Jude said, reaching over and grabbing her hand, kissing her knuckles lightly. “I know how hard it is for you to make a good impression.”
Indira’s jaw dropped and nose crinkled as she landed a punch to his thigh. He grabbed that hand and kissed those knuckles too.
“One day that tongue of yours will go too far, and I’ll have to cut it off.”
Jude chuckled. “Well, based on the events of last night and twice this morning, I have a feeling you’d be the real loser in that situation.”
Indira spluttered for a moment.
Jude threw his head back and laughed.
Indira freed one of her hands, using it to squeeze his chin in revenge. “You’re the absolute worst.”
“I know,” Jude said, pressing his smile into the back of her hand before releasing it and opening his door. “Now let’s go. They’ll be so excited to see you.”
With a sigh, Indira followed him out of the car, and they bothgrabbed their things out of the trunk and headed up the walkway to his parents’ house.
The wedding was in two days, and Jude and Indira would drive the rest of the way to the mountain chateau tomorrow for the rehearsal, but they’d decided to spend the night at the Baileys’ home on their way.
Jude let himself in. “Mom? Dad?”
Mrs. Bailey yipped in excitement from somewhere in the house, and the excited patter of feet echoed around them as she rounded the corner.
“Oh, my sweetheart. I’m so happy you’re here.” She crushed Jude into a hug, forcing him to stoop to hug her back. “Don!” she yelled, pulling her head away for a moment. “Don, get in here!”
Jude’s dad padded into the hallway, smile serene as he took in his wife hugging their son.
“You’ve gained weight,” Maria said, pulling back to look at him. “Thank God. You looked like a ghost last time I saw you.”
“Indira keeps me well fed,” Jude said, glancing at Dira and giving her a quick wink. “You remember Indira, right, Mom?”
“Indira Papadakis,” Maria cried, turning to her. “My God, there’s no way that’s you. When did you grow up so fast?”
“I can’t say for sure, Mrs. Bailey, but I promise all of it was against my will.”
Maria laughed, pulling Indira into a warm hug. Jude’s heart swelled as he watched them.
“We’re gonna take our things upstairs,” Jude said, giving his dad’s shoulder a squeeze.
“Right, right,” Mrs. Bailey said, fluttering around like an excited butterfly. “Dinner won’t be ready for another thirty minutes or so. You two go rest up. Indira, dear, we’ll have you sleep in Jude’s old room,” she said. “Jude, you’ll have to make do with the pull-out sofa in the den.”
Jude glanced at Indira. “This is where you insist on taking the shitty couch so I can sleep comfortably in my own bed.”
Indira arched an eyebrow, then turned a beaming smile on his mom. “That sounds perfect, Mrs. Bailey. Thank you so much.”
