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Chapter 35

Jude couldn't sit still while Portia was finishing her hair. "You need to stop." She said laughing.

"I'm excited. Tommy should be here in a few minutes and we can finally put all the rumors to rest."

"And you look beautiful. Where did you get that necklace?"

"Tommy gave it to me this morning." Jude didn't want to tell Portia about where the necklace came from with her being Tommy ex-wife.

"He always had good taste in jewelry. I'm going to go down to the party. See you in a bit."

After Portia was gone, Jude stared into the mirror. She couldn't wait to dance the night away with Tommy. Her heart soared when she saw a text coming through on her phone from Tommy. Then it fell completely after reading. 'Something came up. I won't be at the party. I'm sorry. I love you.'

She thought maybe it was a trick. He had said her birthday presents were only part of what he had for her. So, maybe he wanted to surprise her. He wouldn't dare do this to her. She was frantic. Why would he not be coming? What was going on? This was supposed to be the best night. They had planned on being hand in hand all night. Jude didn't want to go to her own party.

When she looked up, someone was standing behind her. "Sorry, I must have got turned around." Hunter said.

She had this strange feeling run down her spine. "Come on, I'll show you to the party."

"That's a pretty necklace. Did you get it from someone special?"

Jude didn't feel right talking to a stranger about Tommy. Especially when she was getting such a bad vibe from him. "It was just a gift." She replied. Though in her heart it was so much more. It was a piece of Tommy. She couldn't decide if she wanted to rip it off or hold on to it with all her might.

The ballroom looked fabulous. She kept a smile plastered on her face as she entered the party, but she really wanted to cry. She noticed Hunter looking around and figured he was looking for Tommy. Something didn't seem right. She spotted Sadie, and she had a worried look on her face. "I see my sister. Tom won't be here tonight, but enjoy the party."

"Jude who was that?" Sadie asked.

"He said he was an old friend of Tommy's, but I kept getting a weird vibe from him."

"That's not good. Where's Tommy?"

"Text me twenty minutes ago and said he wouldn't be here."

"There are my girls." Stuart said approaching them before they could say anymore about Tommy.

Tommy sat in his living room trying to find the best way to get rid of Hunter. He had to protect everyone that was important to him, and mainly that was Jude. How did they get to this point? What did they do so horrible that fate kept working against them?

He remembered when he had had to go to Montreal a couple of weeks before. It was right when they were trying to deepen their physical relationship.

He and Karma had just checked into their hotel suite. She'd run to her room on her cell, so he walked out on the balcony. It hadn't even been twenty-four hours since he'd almost made love to Jude for the first time. He felt so stupid for not having a condom. It was just unheard of.

He wanted to call Jude, but knew she was probably getting ready for her show. He never liked missing a show. Watching her on stage was refreshing. Some music was so manufactured, that Jude's reminded him why he loved music in the first place.

He smiled when his phone rang. "Hey babe." He answered.

"Hey! How's Montreal?"

"Lonely without you. It's just like Darius to book us separated like this."

"Like you said it's just a week. I think we can handle it."

"Jude, about last night…"

"Don't Tommy. It wasn't meant to happen last night. I understand that. I do have a question though."

"Okay." He wasn't sure what was coming.

"If we'd been at your place, would it have ended the same way?"

He knew she was teasing, but partly serious too. "I never wanted you to think it was something I expected. After you told me you wanted to wait, I was waiting."

"So, that's a yes."

"Jude." He whined.

He heard her laugh. "I'm just kidding. I know you nightstand is empty too. But I understand and thank you."

"I always want to show you nothing but respect."

"And I love you for it. Now I have to go and get ready for my show."

"I hate that I'm going to miss it. I love you, too. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye, Babe."

When he flipped his phone shut he made a mental note to stock his nightstand when he got home. It was going to be a rough week, but they'd been apart longer than a week before. Also being in Montreal would give him a chance to talk to her dad about his plan, since Stuart was there on business.

All he could do was hope fate was really on their side. He'd know, if she showed up after the party. Beer would be his company until then.

I know it is shorter than most, but more is coming. Sorry it has taken me so long on the update. I had company over the weekend. I have actually already written two more chapters, and I am working on the final chapter now. So this story will officially have 38 chapters. The one's I have written will be posted when I get them typed up.

Hope you enjoy!!! Keep those reviews coming.