Page 87 of More Than Friends

“Jude,” a woman’s voice calls out.

I frown because I have no idea whose voice that is.

The door swings open, and I come face-to-face with a woman I recognize, but only because of photos on the internet and the photos Jude showed me before. A man steps through the door behind her, the two of them immediately looking at me.

“Hi,” I mutter, my heart racing as I try to think of what to say to Jude’s parents.

“Charlotte,” Jude’s mom says sweetly, her features softening as she looks from me to the baby in my arms. “And is this Ava?”

I nod because I don’t know how to respond. I guess it makes sense that they would know who I am because of Jude. I’ve been excited to possibly meet them one day. Jude’s talked so much about them, and they obviously raised an incredible son. I just wasn’t expecting to be meeting them today, and I definitely wasn’t expecting to meet them without Jude here too.

“We thought we’d surprise Jude and meet our granddaughter,” Jude’s mom explains as she walks to the kitchen counter. She sets down her large designer bag and gives me a warm smile. “We told him our trip didn’t end for a few more days, but we finished business early and couldn’t wait to get home to meet Ava. I guess I should’ve thought about calling him first.”

I swallow as his dad shuts the door and also gives me a smile. I’m wondering if I should call Jude and tell him that his parents are here or ask him what I’m even supposed to do in this situation. “He went to golf at Pembroke. I’m sure he’ll be done soon. Maybe we should call him?”

Jude’s mom waves her hand dismissively through the air. “Not necessary. Let him enjoy his time. Last time we spoke, he told me he hadn’t gone to the club or told anyone there about his daughter yet.”

She walks up to me, and I keep Ava clutched to my chest, not knowing what to do. I know these are her grandparents—they share blood with her when I don’t—but I still feel weird just handing her over to them without Jude here.

“This is his first time going,” I confirm.

Jude’s mom holds her hand out. “I’m Florence, by the way. And this is my husband, Nathaniel.”

I smile because I appreciate that she’s introducing herself and not immediately taking Ava from my arms. My heart still beats erratically, but something about her warm smile helps ease my nerves.

I shift Ava so I hold her with one arm and hold out my other hand. “I’m Charlotte.”

Florence’s smile grows. “I know who you are. Jude’s talked a lot about you over the past year.”

I can’t help but smile while my heart leaps in my chest. I’ve certainly mentioned Jude to my mom—my entire family, really—but there’s something about knowing he’s talked about me as well that makes my heart melt.

“Oh, really?”

Florence’s gaze rakes over me as she drops my hand. I try not to squirm underneath her stare. She’s got the same big, almond eyes that Jude has, but instead of being brown like his, they’re more hazel. “He talks about you often. There was a time when I thought you might be his girlfriend and he was too nervous to admit that to his nosy mother.”

I choke on my own spit at her comment. It was the last thing I was expecting her to say, and she said it so casually. “Not his girlfriend,” I rush to get out in between coughing fits.

Ava grabs at my cheek and smiles, clearly finding me choking on my own saliva hilarious.

Florence just watches me with a lifted brow and an unreadable stare.

“We’re just friends,” I finally get out.

Florence’s gaze drops.

My jaw clenches, and my cheeks feel like they’re on fire when I realize what she’s looking at.

I hadn’t expected visitors this morning when I got dressed. I thought it was just going to be me and Ava hanging out. If we were to leave for a walk or something, I would’ve changed. But because we were having fun inside, I didn’t think twice about throwing on a tank top and leggings. The leggings are fine, although I do feel underdressed compared to Florence inher linen dress, but it’s the tank top that’s the problem. It does nothing to hide the hickeys left all over my neck.

I keep a tight hold on Ava as my cheeks continue to flush. I don’t even know what to say to Florence. I don’t know if I lie and say that the hickeys are not from Jude—that doesn’t seem right—or if I just tell her that they are from her son, but we’re still just friends.

My mouth stays shut because neither option seems like a great idea.

“As afriend,” Florence begins, putting emphasis onfriendand letting me know she doesn’t believe me whatsoever, “are you also Ava’s nanny now? I thought Jude told me you worked at Pembroke.”

I nod. “I do. I’m a cart girl there, but I only work the weekend shift. Since I have most weekdays off, we’re trying this thing where I watch Ava a couple of days during the week so Jude can get out and also work when he needs to.”

Nathaniel speaks up from where he stands by the couch a few feet away from us. “That’s kind of you to step in. I was wondering why he was falling behind at work; that wasn’t like Jude. Since he told us about Ava, I’ve been trying to delegate his workload to others, but there’s stuff that needs to be overseen by him. Good to know he has a plan moving forward.”