Page 35 of More Than Friends

I can’t sleep.

I’m completely exhausted from working and spending the evening helping Jude, and yet I can’t stay asleep.

Every time I drift off, I wake up thinking about Jude and Ava. I want to know how the first night is going. It feels like I should be there helping him. I grab my phone from the pillow next to me and look at the screen. My ringer is on, so I already know Jude hasn’t called, but I check just in case.

Is it weird for me to call him?

What if he’s sleeping and I wake him up?

I roll to my back and stare at the ceiling. I know I shouldn’t worry about Jude. He’s probably asleep and has been handling the night with Ava just fine.

But what if he is having a rough night?

Babies are temperamental. Even though Ava was fast asleep when I left, it doesn’t mean she’s still asleep. Because it’s three in the morning, I fight the urge to call Jude to check in.

What if I just text him?

I grab my phone before I can change my mind.

CHARLOTTE

How’s everything going?

I stare at my phone. It’s so late—or early, depending on how you look at it—and I know he probably isn’t going to see this text for a few more hours. I still feel better for sending it though. At least if things aren’t going great, he knows I’m up and thinking about them.

I’m about to place my phone back on my pillow and force myself to fall back asleep when Jude’s face pops up on my screen. It’s a silly picture he took of himself last year when we were out golfing. Every time I see it, I smile. Except now, my stomach drops at the sight of his name on my caller ID.

“Is everything okay?” I ask the moment I swipe to answer.

“Char.” My name comes out raspy. Before he can say anything else, the loud sound of a cry makes me jump.

Before I realize what I’m even doing, I’m out of bed and shuffling around in the dark to find some clothes. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Everything. I don’t know.” Jude groans. “I’ve tried everything. Feeding her. Rocking her. Changing her. Feeding her again. Ava just won’t stop crying. She’ll fall asleep for a few minutes and then wake up crying again.”

“I’m on my way,” I get out, grabbing a pair of jean shorts from the one box I started packing before crawling into bed.

“You don’t have to come over,” Jude hurriedly gets out. “It’s just that you texted, and since you were awake, I figured I could call and ask what I’m doing wrong.”

My chest hurts at the vulnerability in his voice. “You aren’t doing anything wrong. She’s just a baby. Sometimes babies just cry. I’ll be there soon.”

“You really don’t have to come, Char. I can handle it. Get some sleep. I only called to see if you had any tricks I didn’t know about.”

“I know you can handle it, but I’m awake, and I’ve already decided I’m coming over. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Try walking around the house with her. Maybe a change of scenery from your room will help.”

Jude sighs, but he doesn’t argue anymore. I hang up the phone before he can try again to convince me that he doesn’t need help. I button my jeans shorts and grab a jacket and zip it up. I’ll need to come back later today to pack, but that can wait. Right now, I want to get to Jude’s and help him with Ava. He sounds exhausted, and I don’t want to waste any time getting over there.

Before I can knock on the front door, Jude’s pulling it open with red-rimmed eyes and disheveled hair. “You’re here,” he remarks, his voice low and full of exhaustion.

I smile before turning my attention to Ava. She’s in his arms, looking just as tired as he does. She cries before her head falls against his shoulder.

“Oh, sweet girl.” I carefully take her from Jude and cradle her to my chest. She lets out a small little whimper as I hold her close.

“I don’t know how she’s still awake right now,” Jude mutters. I look at him, and it’s only now that I realize he’s wearing a pair of glasses.

I’ve never seen him wear glasses.

It gets worse.