The ride to the cliff seems like the longest I’ve ever taken, even though Ben’s motorcycle is super fast. It doesn’t help that I get the directions jumbled and we waste a few minutes going down the wrong road before I realise I directed him down the wrong turn.By the time we get to the cliff, my heart is beating painfully in my chest from the fear that has gripped me. The first thing I notice through the helmet’s visor is Jude’s blue car, parked near the cliff, like back then.Ben brings the motorcycle to a stop and I start fumbling with my strap. It gets undone and I pull it off just as he removes his.Before either of us can say anything, someone appears in the headlights of the motorcycle. Jude.My heart crashes in my chest. This time, in relief.He lifts his arm to his eyes, shielding them from the bright light. Ben mutes the lights.“Looks like your boy is okay,” he says.I can’t tell how I get off the motorcycle and across the distance between us.All I know is that I’m finally
The first thing I notice when I open the passenger side door is the candy littered on the seat.Jude, who has already settled in the driver's seat, notices my hesitance to sit down. "Oh," he mutters, then scoops the candy from the seat and puts them in the glove compartment.I get inside and close the door. "I didn't know you still had a thing for candy.""I don't. I didn't. It's been a while.""Can I have one?""Now? So you can yell at me tomorrow when you get a sore throat?"I laugh. "You remember that?""I remember everything about you." He reopens the glove compartment and retrieves one that's wrapped in a green wrapper. He hands it to me. "You can have this. It has mint and whatnot. It's the kind used to relieve sore throats, not cause them."I take it, lifting an eyebrow. "You were all about cherry back then."He chuckles. "Well, the dentist said I need to rethink my sweet tooth.""Bad, bad dentist," I joke, to which he laughs as he starts the engine. The sound of his laugh is s
I'm rinsing the glass when I feel his presence behind me. Before I can turn to look at him, his arms come around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder. My body relaxes into his embrace instantly, my fingers releasing the glass. He turns his head and presses a gentle kiss to my ear. "I'll miss you so bad," he whispers, his voice rough. Him holding me like this and his voice in my ear does things to me. That pang in my chest spreads, turning into an ache I cannot suppress. "I'll try harder to get better," he tells me. "I'll do whatever my therapist asks if it means I get to be with you again quickly. So wait for me, okay?" I blink, fighting tears. "I'll be here," I assure him. It's not like I have anywhere else to go. Or anywhere that I want to go. I just want to be back in his arms as soon as possible. But however long it takes to be able to do that, I'll be here, waiting. "It'll be okay," he says, now kissing my temple. "It'll be hard loving you from a distance, but it'll all
To my lovely readers, We made it from a sad ending to a bittersweet one. Up next: the happy ending we all deserve. Loving Jude was going to be the final book. Initially, I intended to have an epilogue after Chapter 45 showing when Jo and Jude resumed the relationship. But that didn't feel right. After everything they have been through, I didn't feel good about wrapping up their story in a short epilogue. So I decided to make a third book. The title will be Forever Jude. It will be more about them actually being together, unlike the first two where they were working towards getting together. They'll also no longer be students, so you can expect a different kind of adventure. One that might end at the altar or with babies or dogs...who knows ;). Before I bring you the third book, however, I need to write a spin-off for Isaac and Ben (who saw that pairing coming? :) ). This is because their story happens before Forever Jude. Isaac's story will be titled "Fixing my Bad Boy Problem" and
"What will you give Eli for his birthday?"I catch my roommate's gaze in the mirror before looking away. I know what I want to give Eli for his birthday. But I cannot tell her."You haven't gotten anything for him," she notes. "You're not going empty-handed, are you?"I don't miss the accusing tone in Tori's voice. She probably has more to say but is holding back.She has already bought him a present. I have no idea what it is, though. When she came back to the dorm with it, it was wrapped in gift paper and she maintained it was a secret."He did say we don't have to get him anything." I grab a scrunchie and tie one half of my curly hair at the back of my head."You can't be serious. The guy got you a box set of your favourite book series for your birthday. He only said that because he's sickening nice to you."Tori is fond of reminding me of how Eli treats me sweetly. She also likes pointing out how blind I am to the fact that he likes me.Elias is one of the first friends I made in
"Do you want to leave? I can walk you to your place."I shake my head. "No, I don't want to go anywhere."A small crease forms on Eli's brow as he gives me a scrutinizing glance. "Okay."I smile and hold his hand tighter. It's sometime after midnight. Parties are not my favourite scene and when I have to attend one, I don't stay around until this late. It's no surprise he's wondering why I'm in no hurry to leave. We're sitting on one of the couches, watching a drinking game some kids are having. I was sitting on my own when he noticed me and came over. A few seconds after he did, I reached out my hand to trace patterns on the back of his. When he entwined our fingers, I accepted his grip wholeheartedly.He covers a yawn with the back of his hand. "Will I be a bad host if I leave now? I'm honestly tired.""No. You should sleep early. They're fine having fun by themselves."While I say that calmly, my heart is rioting. He does look tired. Should I leave him be? Should I go back to my
"Elias Kim?"He hasn't seen me yet.I'm glued to the floor when all I want to do is disappear.Am I dreaming?Hallucinating, maybe?Eli bends to grasp the handle of the suitcase standing between them. "That's me. But you can call me Eli."Jude looks up over him, and his eyes finally find me.Eli straightens and pulls the luggage into the room. "Come in."The paper in my hands crinkles noisily as my fingers close over it.Eli says something, but I don't hear a word.Jude doesn't move an inch past the threshold. His blue eyes bore into me, surprise evident on his face.Surprise? More like shock.Something pokes my arm.Then a hand waves in front of my face.I snap my eyes from Jude to find Eli trying to gain my attention.He gives me a confused look. "Jo?"I suck in a deep breath and drop the paper to the floor. "Bathroom. I need to use the bathroom."I feel Jude's eyes on me as I close the distance to the bathroom—which is, in this situation, so inconveniently close to the front door.
"Where have you been?"I close the door behind me and remove my shoes. Tori watches me as I walk into the apartment. She's sitting on the couch, hair in rollers while she paints her toenails. What's the occasion?"Simon's.""Is that where you spent the night?""No." I notice a parcel lying on the coffee table and hurry to it. "Is this mine?""Yeah. It was delivered this morning."I tear the wrapper to reveal an Adidas shoebox. Finally, Eli's birthday gift is here.Now all I have to do is give it to him..."Whose shirt is that?" she asks, eyes narrowing at the said clothing.I cradle the box under my arm and head to my room. "Eli's."She doesn't say anything else until I'm at my door. "Have you met his roommate?"My hand closes around the door handle. "No. Have you?""I'm about to."I whirl around. "What?""I'm going with Eli to show him around campus."Why am I not invited?Do I want to be invited?"Is that why you are..." I trail off, gesturing to her hair.She pauses painting her na