Page 95 of The Plus One
Jude looked at her like he wanted to do the exact same thing.
But the feeling of someone watching her pulled her out of her focus, and Indira caught Lauren nervously watching her as she approached.
Oh God. Did the poor woman think Indira was about to charge her? Indira wanted to ignore her, but something poked at her ribs, and before she knew what was happening she was making a beeline to Lauren, who had finished with the flower girl’s braids and was now standing alone.
“Hey,” Indira said, standing a few feet away.
“Hi,” Lauren responded, tucking her hair behind her ears. “You look really nice,” she added. “That’s a great dress.”
“Thanks. It has pockets,” Indira said, tucking her hands into the folds of fabric to prove the point.
Lauren nodded in appreciation.
They stood in awkward silence for a moment, gazes flicking around the room.
“Do you hate me?” Lauren blurted out, red blotches staining her cheeks.
Indira blinked. “No, I don’t hate you,” she said. Lauren wasn’t exactly Indira’s favorite person in the world, but she also wasn’t the one who had cheated on her. “I mean, I can’t say I necessarily like you or want to hang out with you and Chris once this wedding is over, but no, I don’t hate you.”
Lauren nodded, biting down on her lip. “That’s fair. I… I am sorry, though. For playing a role in everything.”
It was Indira’s turn to nod. “I’m sorry for not being particularly kind to you at the events leading up to this,” she said, gesturing around the room.
They stood there for a moment, letting the dust settle. Indiraglanced over her shoulder, seeing Jude hovering nearby, waiting for her.
“I hope, whatever happens,” Indira said, dragging her eyes away from Jude, “you end up happy. That’s what matters.”
Lauren blinked rapidly, lips parting. “You too,” she whispered.
Indira nodded at her and walked away.
Walked to Jude, burrowing into his arms for a tight hug.
“Everything okay?” he asked, voice rough and on edge. Indira squeezed him tighter.
“Perfect.”
Jude kissed the top of her head, and they swayed together for a few moments to the music around them.
“Dance with me?” he asked, pulling back and arching an eyebrow.
Indira glanced at the crowded dance floor, lips pursing. “Really?” she asked. “It looks a bit packed even for me.”
Jude smiled, leaning forward to press his forehead against hers. “Come with me.”
Braiding his fingers through hers, he led her out a side door.
The cool November night hit Indira instantly, sending a sparkly rush through her as her breath pushed out in a white puff. Jude let go of her hand, taking off his suit jacket and draping it over her shoulders. He tucked it around her, then moved his hand to her chin, tilting her face up and brushing his thumb across her bottom lip. Indira’s eyes closed at the ripple of sensation that traveled through her.
Jude’s lips came next—gentle, adoring, a hint of hunger—the heat of the kiss spearing straight through to her chest.
One hand moved to her waist, the other to the back of her head, twining in her hair and taking the kiss deeper. The tinkle of music drifted around them on the cool night, humming into their bones as they swayed together under the inky-black sky.
“You’re a shockingly good dancer,” Indira said against Jude’s lips. A laugh rumbled in his chest, and Indira pressed closer to the sound, feeling the vibration in her own.
“I think the kissing distracts you from my two left feet,” he whispered back.
“Whatever it is, I don’t want you to stop,” she said, looking up at him.
