Somewhere Else

Chapter 1

When I exited the Tube station, the bitter winter wind whipped about my face. I pulled my scarf up to cover as much of my skin as possible, and I quickened my pace to get to the house. When I finally approached the door, I pushed it open, and the sound of multiple voices from up in Jude's bedroom carried down to my ears. I tried to place the second voice as I was sure I knew it, but my mind was drawing a blank.

"Elle? I'm going to assume it's you and not some crazed fan who has come to stalk me. Am I right?" It sounded like Jude had been hitting a little wine prior to our night out. His voice was light and airy, and I wished I could come home to it every night for the rest of my life.

"Yep, just me. No need to call the authorities. Are you watching—"

But he didn't even give me a chance to finish my question. He emerged from his bedroom, two glasses of champagne in his hands.

"Fancy some bubbly?"

"What've you got going on up there, Mr. Anderson?" I savored the glare he sent my way.

"Come up and see." He winked at me, and when I had ascended the final step, he put a flute of champagne in my hand and brought his lips to my ear. "Jeffrey is going to be delighted that he gets to call you Miss Robinson again."

My eyes narrowed to mere slits as I let the bubbles of the champagne pop on my tongue. Jude grabbed at my hand and led me into his room, where I was immediately wrapped up in a hug from Jess, his hair and makeup artist.

"Elle! I've not seen you in ages. Jude asked me to come over to help the two of you get ready for tonight. He showed me the dress you've got. It's a real stunner, love." It sounded as if Jess had been hitting the champagne a little as well. Regardless, I was more than happy to have her there. There was no doubt we'd be getting photographed, and I'd been dreading having to try to fix myself up in such a short amount of time after work.

"I couldn't be happier to see you, Jess. I'm in desperate need of your expertise tonight."

I sat in the chair she had set up while Jude hopped into the guest room to get changed. Jess worked her magic and made me feel far more gorgeous than I thought possible. I slipped on my dress as she and Jude went downstairs to wait in the foyer.

As I descended the steps, I caught the tail end of their conversation.

"Thanks for coming over." Jude leaned in to give her a hug.

"No worries at all. I'm glad to have gotten to catch up with Elle. I'll see you at the airport on Monday."

The moment that final word left her lips, a pang of despondency sliced through me. Obviously Jess would be getting to travel along with Jude over the next few months; she was one of the makeup artists for the show. I hadn't even thought of that. As much as I wished to be in her place, I was at least happy that he'd be surrounded by his friends. I had Lily, and I hoped she'd be enough to distract me. I mean, she was going to need me to distract her too given that Rob would also be gone.

I made it to the foyer and forced a smile to hide the sadness welling up inside me.

Jess looked to me. "Well, my work is done here. You two have fun tonight!" She leaned over to kiss me on the cheek before heading out the door.

Once she was gone, Jude's lips were on mine.

"Bloody hell that dress is incredible." His voice was low against my mouth.

I forgot all about our impending time apart as a steady blush built in my cheeks. "You can thank Lily for it." I shot him a little wink and then held out the bracelet that was grasped in my hand. "Can you clasp this for me? I was having trouble hooking it on my own."