When I looked up to thank Ruby, I found her talking to Jude Kingsley, an absolutely divine boy with intense green eyes and thick black hair that swept across his forehead. Jude sat next to Ruby in art class and behind me in world history. He’d just moved here from Boston, and both Ruby and I thought he was gorgeous, although until now neither one of us had worked up the courage to talk to him.
Tim grabbed my arm. “Come on, Nadine. Dance with me.”
I pulled away, my eyes glued to Ruby and Jude. Something odd settled in my throat. Jealousy? A premonition that everything was about to change? Or maybe just a desire to reach up and brush Jude’s hair off his brow.
My stomach clenched as Ruby took Jude’s hand and led him toward me.
“Nadine,” Tim said.
“Not now. I’ll save you a dance when they play Elvis.”
“Elvis! That’s never going to happen. Elvis is a horrible dancer, and according to Sister Hildegard, the devil incarnate.”
I scowled at Tim. “Elvis is the greatest musician in the world, and he served in the Army, which is more than you can say, Tim O’Connor.”
He batted the air and shook his head. “That’s it, Nadine Greene. I’m crossing you off my list.” Although he was joking, he turned abruptly and headed toward another girl.
Ruby nudged my shoulder. “He’s such a dweeb.”
I shrugged. “He’s okay.”
Jude stared at me with his beautiful green eyes, and I felt a thrill skitter up my spine.
“You like Elvis, Nadine?” he asked.
My stomach did a little flip flop. Jude Kingsley knew my name?
Ruby answered for both of us. “We love Elvis.” Although she was no longer holding Jude’s hand, she continued standing close to him.
Jude nodded approvingly. “I’m going to sing Jailhouse Rock at the talent show next month.”
I laughed, convinced he was joking. “Sister Hildegard has outlawed rock ‘n’ roll. I’m certain she won’t allow you to perform a song by Elvis.”
Jude’s gaze didn’t waver from mine. His lips tugged upward in a conspiratorial smile. “True, but I have a plan, and if you’ll help me—”
“Me?” Heat burned my face. For the first time, I allowed myself to really study his eyes. In addition to being the most incredible shade of forest green, they contained shards of amber that caught the light as he spoke. I’d never noticed that detail before, not that sparkling shards of amber were something easily noticed during fifth period when our history teacher was droning on about the Bolshevik Revolution.
“So, will you help me?” Jude asked.
I wet my bottom lip. “Sure. What do I have to do?”
“Just play the piano. You can sing if you want, but Tim said you’re a talented pianist.”
Nervous laughter squeaked out of my mouth. Ruby gave me a disapproving glare, but Jude didn’t seem to mind. He reached his hand toward me. “Come dance with me, and I’ll tell you about my plan.”
I hesitated a moment, too shocked to move. I liked Jude. Really liked him, but so did Ruby, and I wasn’t going to let a boy—even a boy as cute as Jude Kingsley—get in the way of our friendship.
Ruby shrugged. “Go ahead. You’re the birthday girl, after all.”
Her tone held a layer of irritability, but before I could address it, Jude clasped my hand and led me to the dance floor. I glanced back at Ruby, relieved to see her talking with another boy. Maybe she didn’t like Jude as much as I thought.
Jude smiled and gestured toward my heels. “Can you dance in those things?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never tried.”
He chuckled, the sound rumbling in his chest. Then he pulled me close, and I ignored everything except my body against his. I closed my eyes and rested my head on his solid chest. My insides tingled from my toes to the top of my head.
Lowering his hand, he pressed it to the small of my back. “Is this okay?”
I nodded and held onto the moment. The band played Earth Angel, and my heart burst with elation because from that moment on, I knew I would love Jude Kingsley forever.
I just wasn’t prepared for what that love would cost me.
A Mother’s Choice is available from Amazon
Vicki’s Gift Page 25