Hey Jude (Lennox Valley Chronicles #1)

OLENA

“Shut up!” I shout, my eyes wide as I search Wyatt’s face, squeezing his hands. “You did not!” My jaw hangs open, then my mouth quickly spreads into an excited grin.

“I very much did, babe.” He winks, grinning back at me. He shows me the ring he’s wearing, and we do a little jumping hug, squealing like teenagers. “Sam’s got a matching one.”

“How long were you planning this? Why didn’t you tell me? Ahh! I have so many questions!” I put my hands up to my cheeks, my eyes wide in disbelief and joy for my oldest friend.

Wyatt smiles and rolls his eyes, shrugging. “You were going through some shit. It’s all good.”

“Jude, come out here!” I yell toward my bedroom door.

He emerges, pulling on a t-shirt and squinting in the bright light of the kitchen. He leans against the doorframe.

“Wyatt proposed! He and Sam are getting married!” I wrap my arms around Wyatt’s waist and squeeze him tight, smiling at Jude, then Wyatt. I can’t stop beaming.

“I gathered,” he smirks at us. “You guys… aren’t quiet.” He chuckles and I give him a guilty look. It’s eight in the morning. “Hey, congrats, man,” he says, walking over. “That’s awesome news.” Jude extends a hand and Wyatt shakes it.

I turn to Wyatt, still hugging him. “When’s the wedding? Do you know yet?”

“Haven’t quite figured that out,” he says. “Probably next year, sometime. But we are going to throw a killer engagement party soon, that’s for sure.” He unwraps my arms from his waist and goes to get a glass of water. He fills it and leans against the counter, smiling at me.

I don’t know what to do with myself.

Jude puts his arm around my shoulders and I squeeze him so hard he makes a sound. “Oof, easy, now.” He smiles down at me and kisses my cheek.

I suddenly freeze. “Wait, Wyatt… the apartment. Should Sam move in with us? It would be a bit weird for him to keep living with his parents while he’s engaged, right?” I think for another moment. “Or… should I, like… should I move out? Is it weird to be engaged and have a roommate? I don’t want to be a third wheel for you guys. I mean, I’d need to find another apartment… or I guess I could move back in with my folks…”

“Uh…” Wyatt looks unsure. He meets Jude’s eyes. Some unspoken understanding passes between them.

“Guys, what am I missing?” I ask, looking between them, a bit worried.

Wyatt smiles as Jude turns to me.

“What’s going on?” I ask, my brow creasing with concern.

“Olena,” Jude starts, “how do you feel about living in the woods?”

My eyes widen. I wrap my arms around his neck and jump on him. He catches me, pulling my legs around his waist.

He has his answer.

50

JUDE

I finish buttoning my shirt in the mirror and pull out my phone, checking the time. Olena should be back home any minute from Nat’s house, where they’ve been getting ready for Sam and Wyatt’s engagement party… for hours. A notification catches my eye: Miles has posted some new photos. Killing time, I tap the screen and scroll through, stopping on one photo in particular. Miles is grinning at the camera, his arm wrapped around his new girlfriend. They’re each holding one side of a homemade sign bearing the text “100 days sober.” I smile to myself, proud of my little brother.

“Jude! Are you ready?” Olena calls out from the kitchen. My head snaps up and I slip my phone into my pocket. “Come on, we’re going to be late! We’re supposed to be at Carnival at seven!”

“Yeah, coming!” I call back.

“Are you wearing them?” she calls out to me. “Please tell me you’re wearing them.”

I walk out of the bedroom and our eyes meet. I let out a breath; she looks stunning, like some kind of Viking punk pin-up girl, all smoky eyes and bare shoulders. Most of her hair is swept over to one side, two tight braids criss-crossing from her temple, and back over her ear. Fuck, I think, fighting the urge to cross the room and sink my hands into that hair. I can feel my pupils dilating at the sight of her. I’m suddenly not sure we’re leaving here anytime soon.

“Dear God,” I say, my voice low. “Turn around.” She indulges me and does a little spin. Her silky-looking, sleeveless top plunges down in a deep vee between her breasts and she’s got on this glittering miniskirt that is entirely too short for me to avoid staring at. I clutch at my chest, blowing out a breath when I see her stockings are the kind with the seam straight up the back of the leg. I’m not going to survive tonight.

She chuckles softly at my reaction, sweeping a hand through her hair as she walks toward me.