Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 562

"It's fine, just a scrape," she said, bending down to take off her broken heels. She stood barefoot on the freezing floor.

Jude's brow twitched.

He didn't say a word, simply turning to grab a clean tablecloth from a nearby booth. He knelt and laid it out neatly by her feet.

"Stand on this. The floor is cold."

Nora was stunned. She stared down at the perfectly folded cloth, not entirely sure what to say.

"Mr. Winslow, you didn't have to..."

"Mrs. Lancaster..."

Jude interrupted gently, his tone as warm as ever, though he avoided meeting her eyes. "I just called Hudson. He's on his way."

Nora quickly thanked him. "Thank you, Mr. Winslow..."

Then, remembering something important, she bit her lip. "Um, could I borrow your phone for a second?"

"Of course."

Jude unlocked his phone without hesitation and handed it over.

Nora took it and dialed Olive's number.

The first call went unanswered, but Olive picked up the second time. Her voice was laced with violent panic. "Hello..."

"Olive, it's me."

"Madam! Where are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I ran into Jude Winslow, and he helped me. I'm currently at..."

She looked around, trying to spot a logo.

"Serendipity Bar," Jude supplied softly.

"I'm at Serendipity Bar with Mr. Winslow. Don't worry, I'm safe, and I'm not hurt..."

"Stay there, Madam. I'm on my way!"

After hanging up, Nora handed the phone back to Jude.

Since Hudson already knew where she was, all she had to do was wait.

"Have you heard this song before?"

Nora was inspecting her ankle to make sure it wasn't sprained when Jude's warm voice drifted from above.

She looked up and realized the club's music had changed.

The bone-rattling bass was gone, replaced by a soothing melody. The notes floated over them like warm water, incredibly gentle and comforting.

It wasn't in English.

Nora buried her face in his chest, the delayed terror and panic finally washing over her. She gripped his shirt tightly, quietly soaking in his warmth and steady heartbeat.

After a long moment, Hudson loosened his hold and looked down at her scraped knee. His gaze flicked to the neatly folded tablecloth under her feet. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly before he turned to Jude.

"Thanks."

"No need to thank me. It was just a small favor. You should get her home; she was pretty terrified..."

When he had held her earlier, he had felt her heart hammering like a drum against her ribs...

"Right. We'll get going."

Hudson bent down and swept Nora into his arms, carrying her effortlessly.

Nora wrapped her arms around his neck. She looked over his shoulder and offered Jude a polite nod goodbye.

Jude stood rooted to the spot. The colorful lights cast flickering shadows over his features, masking his emotions.

He watched them leave, then slowly lowered his gaze to his empty hand.

It felt as if a trace of her warmth still lingered there.

The music shifted again, returning to a heavy, generic club beat.

He slowly closed his fist, glanced at the door one last time, and let out a long, quiet sigh...