morgan

“Well.. you don’t want me to drive. If I drive, we’re DOA” he joked, looking out the window at a large snowbank.

“DOA??”

“Dead on arri–” Jude started, but the car skidded again, making you curse under your breath. Your foot eased off the gas, but your pulse was thundering in your ears. Every turn of the wheel felt like you were one bad move away from starring in a very unfestive breaking news report.

“Over there!” Jude pointed at the dim glow of a building in the distance. “I think that’s a hotel. Let’s just stop there, yeah?”

You squinted through the storm, leaning toward the dashboard like a grandma as you just barely made out the outline of the car park that was nearly full. The tires groaned as you slowly turned the car, sliding into a parking spot with relief etched on your face.

“See? We’re alive” Jude announced, grinning from ear to ear.

“Barely” you muttered, throwing the car in park. The storm outside was still raging, and you weren’t about to get stuck sleeping in the car if you didn’t have to. “Let’s see if they have a room available.”

The wind harshly smacked you in the face as soon as you stepped out of the car. You hunched your shoulders, pulling your coat tighter as Jude trailed behind you, not in a rush to get inside.

“Hurry up Jude” you called over your shoulder. “I’m not staying out here while you frolic around. You wanna be Olaf so bad.”

“On my way” Jude said, snickering as he scooped a handful of snow. “Y/N look!”

You didn’t think much of it until you heard a very specific laugh. One that meant he was up to no good. You had no chance to turn around before you felt a freezing snowball hit the back of your head, sending a wet slush of ice down your neck.

“Are you serious right now?” you said, spinning around to see him grinning like a fool.

“You looked tense after all the driving,” Jude said, shrugging. “Thought I’d help you loosen up.”

You rolled your eyes, pushing through the doors. Inside, the lobby was pure chaos. People in coats and boots crowded around arguing about room availability, while others were slumped in chairs, drinking hot chocolate. 

At the front desk, the receptionist looked like she was one request away from quitting on the spot. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun, her eyes were darting from one demanding guest to the next. Honestly, the girl looked like she needed a shot or two.

Jude leaned in, brushing some snow out of your hair, whispering. “I think she hates her life more than you hate me right now.”

“Debatable” you muttered, stepping up to the desk when she finally looked your way.

“Hi. Please tell me you have a room left? We need two beds.”

Her tired eyes scanned you and Jude. She sighed, “We have one.” She tapped at the computer, tone flat. “But..”

“But what?” you repeated, already bracing for the worst.

“It’s a honeymoon suite. Just one bed.” she added, not softening the blow. 

Jude burst out laughing as he leaned against the counter. “What do you say, Mrs. Bellingham?”

“Shut up Jude,” you hissed, giving him a nasty side eye. You turned back to the receptionist. “Are you sure there’s nothing else? Not even a pull out bed?”

The receptionist shook her head, very over the conversation. “Nope. Take it or leave it.”

Jude smiled at you, wagging his brows. “The car or the love cavern? Take your pick.”

You groaned, snatching the key fob from the counter. “We’ll take it.” Jude trailed behind you as you walked to the lift, still laughing at the fact that he was about to sleep in a honeymoon suite with his childhood best friend.

Jude’s chuckles echoed through the mostly empty hallway as you waited for the lift. You glared at him, but it made him laugh even harder.

“I’m gonna lock you out and enjoy the honeymoon suite by myself if you don’t shut the fuck up,” you warned.

“Ah, lighten up” he said, straightening up but still smiling cheekily. “This is hilarious. Admit it.”

“No. It’s not” you snapped, stepping into the lift. “There’s nothing funny about being stuck in a blizzard. And out of all people...it had to be with you.”

Jude leaned against the wall, shrugging. “Could’ve been stuck with someone boring like Trent.”

“Sleeping in the car would be a better option than either of you.” you muttered, folding your arms. 

“Okay,” he winked with both eyes, lightly pushing your arm. “I’ll be a good boy. Promise. Wouldn’t want Santa to give me any coal for Christmas.”

The lift doors shut but Jude’s smirk and annoying laugh hadn’t budged since leaving the lobby – it was starting to work your last nerve.

“You should’ve been on the naughty list years ago” you muttered, leaning back on the wall.

“Maybe I’ll rebrand next year” Jude said, stuffing his hands into his coat pocket while rocking back on his feet. “New year, new me.”

You puffed a laugh. “You? Rebranding?? You’ve been loud, obnoxious, and way too comfortable since we were kids.”

“You still tolerate me enough to do a road trip back home though. Says a lot,” he grinned as the lift began to rise.

“Says I make bad decisions.”

He shook his head, then looked up at you with a sly smile. “You know I’m the light of your life.”

“More like a pain in the ass” you shot back, staring at the floor numbers ticking by. Anything to avoid looking at him and his cute, yet maddening face. “I can’t wait to get in this room and pretend you don’t exist.”

“Pretend I don’t exist?” he repeated, taking offense. “You can’t even go five minutes without talking to me.”

“I can if you would shut up.”

The lift dinged and the doors slid open to reveal Christmas lights glowing along the ceiling. There were wreaths made of pine and red berries hung on every door. You could smell cinnamon and the smell of open fire from a nearby fireplace.

For a second, it felt like you were in a magical holiday movie, but Jude had to ruin it of course.

“Ah, perfect for our honeymoon evening” he said, stepping out of the lift.

“Honeymoon evening my ass” you sassed, following him down the hall. “You’re not sleeping in bed with me.”

Jude spun around, walking backward just to flash you a cocky grin. “That’s no way to talk about consummating our marriage, wifey.”

“Keep chatting shit and I’ll make you sleep on the floor.”

“You won’t.”

“Fuck around and you’ll find out.”

When you reached the door, Jude took the key fob from you and pushed the door open like he was revealing a car on a game show. “Go on, Mrs. Bellingham. Your special night awaits..” he announced.

You rolled your eyes and stepped inside, immediately stopping in your tracks. The room was tacky as hell. There were rose petals everywhere, a mirror above the king sized bed, and a red, heart shaped LED light that casted a red glow on the entire room.

Jude stood behind you, letting out a low whistle. “Went all out, didn’t they?”

“Is this a joke?” you asked no one. “A mirror above the bed is crazy.”

Jude brushed past you, flopping his long body on the bed like it was the best room he ever saw. “Nah, this is nice. They have swan towels and chocolate!”

“I hate this”  you mumbled, dropping your bag onto the floor and flopping into the chair. “I’m not sleeping here."

“Yeah?” Jude taunted, propping his elbows behind him. “Where you gonna go? The floor? The car??”

“Anywhere but here.”

He smirked, kicking his shoes off. “Suit yourself. But this bed is amazing. You’re missing out.”

Later that night, the room was quiet with the exception of the roar from the heater. You were curled up on the far, far edge of the massive bed, staring at the wall. You took Jude up on his offer, but you built a pillow wall between you and him. Despite building the pillow wall for boundaries – it was still awkward.

“Hey” Jude’s voice broke through the silence, quietly. “You asleep?”

You closed your eyes, pretending like you didn’t hear him.

“Y/N” he called again, louder this time. “I know you’re up. You breathe loud when you’re lying.”

You groaned, rolling over to your back. “Ugh. What do you want Jude?”

“I’m cold,” he said casually.

“What?”

“I’m freezing actually. Feels like my toes are gonna fall off.” 

You sat up, glaring at him over the pillow wall. “You’re under blankets.. how are you cold?”

Jude shrugged, pulling the blanket up around his body. “Dunno. Maybe I’ve got bad circulation or something?”

“Sounds like a you problem” you scoffed, laying back down and pulling the covers over your own head. “Deal with it.”

There was a pause, then Jude spoke again. “Or..you could let me borrow some of your body heat.”

Your head shot out the covers. “Nope. Absolutely not. No.”

“I’ll stay on my side,” Jude said, poking his head over the pillow barrier like he was trying to negotiate his bedtime. “I promise. Just scooch over a bit?”

“No.”

“Y/N.”

“Jude.”

He dramatically sighed and flopped back to his side of the bed. “You have no heart. I’m suffering and you don’t care. I thought you loved me.”

“You’re not suffering” you reasoned, pulling some of the blanket away from him and onto you. “You’re annoying.”

“Fine.” he muttered, tugging the blanket back toward him. “If I die from hypothermia just know you’ll have to explain that to my family. Good luck telling my mum you’re a cold blooded killer by proxy.”

You rolled your eyes, trying to ignore him, but the room kept getting colder. The heating system in the room sounded like it was about to give up entirely based on how loud it was roaring. The air in the room was biting back at you, even under the blankets.

He was right, and you hated it.

With a heavy sigh, you got rid of the pillow wall and turned to face him. Jude perked up again, his eyes lighting up like Christmas tree.

“Don’t say anything” you warned, scooting closer until you were a safe but practical distance away. “This is for warmth only.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything,” he grinned.

“And stay on your side” you added, jabbing your finger at him.

“Got it. Boundaries” he said, holding his hands above the covers.

When you laid back down, you were trying hard not to focus on how warm he felt from a few scoots away. The bed creaked slightly as he shifted closer – not too close, but enough to make you hyper aware of how close he could be if he shifted any further.

“Better?” you asked, your voice clipped.

“Yeah, this is great,” he replied in a soft tone. “Thanks, Y/N.”

You closed your eyes, trying to fall asleep – but then Jude started talking again. He said you couldn’t go five minutes without talking to him, but clearly that was on his part and not yours.

“Y’know” he whispered quietly. “For someone who says they make bad decisions, you’re not doing too bad tonight.”

“What–”

The room went dark faster than you could finish the word and you heard the heater groan before turning off. The only noise you could hear now was the wind and snow knocking against the window. You froze, pulling more of the blanket toward you.

“Hey” Jude’s voice cut through the loud silence. “Did the power just–?”

“Yes. The power went out” you replied, annoyed. “What gave it away? The pitch black?”

“Attitude isn’t cute on you” he muttered, shifting in the bed. You felt the mattress dip and then his voice came in closer. “You okay?”

“I’m fine” you mumbled, but your heart started racing. Not from the power outage, but from him being so close.

“This is cozy,” Jude spoke after a pause. You could hear the grin on his face, you didn’t need to see it. “It’ll be fun telling our kids we survived the apocalypse, Mrs. Bellingham.”

“You wish I was your wife,” you joked. “But it’s not the apocalypse.. just a power outage.”

“Feels like it” he answered dramatically, slightly yanking some of the blanket back over to himself. “It’s like the North Pole in here now.”

“Well..the heater is off so yeah...it’s cold. Duh.”

“Right,” he said, inching closer. You felt his knee bump your leg under the blanket. “Body heat is crucial to –”

“Jude, be quiet.”

“I’m just saying” he countered, by the tone of his voice you could tell the grin was back. “We’re gonna freeze to death. And for what? We can combine our body heat.”

You groaned, pulling the blanket over your head but it was no use. The cold air was already creeping in and the space between you and Jude was closing by the second.

“Okay. Fine.” you finally mumbled. “Behave. I don’t want to play footsie with you. Keep your cold ass toes to yourself.”

“I will,” he said quickly, already shifting closer. “Scout’s honour.”

“You weren’t a scout.”

“Could’ve been if I didn’t go for football.”

You rolled your eyes but didn’t argue as you turned on your side to face him. Jude was way too close now – his face was only a few centimeters away from yours. Your fingers lightly grazed his arm as you tugged over the blanket to share equally now.

“This good?” you asked, trying to keep your voice steady.

“Perfect.” he murmured softly.

The silence stretched for a while but it wasn’t uncomfortable. You could hear him breathing slow and steady; you also felt the warmth radiating off his body. You didn’t realize how cold you were before. Your closeness to Jude felt strange, yet comforting. Almost like you didn’t realize it was something you wanted forever, until now.

“You’re staring at me,” Jude said suddenly, breaking the quiet.

“I’m not staring” you shot back defensively.

“I can feel your eyes. You’re staring” he teased, another grin creeping into his voice.

“Jude.”

“Y/N.”

The way he said your name this time sent a jolt through you, and you suddenly couldn’t think of a single comeback.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked in a low voice.

“Like what?” you whispered.

“Like you’re waiting for something…” he said, leaning in slightly.

Your breath hitched when the space between you shrunk to nothing. His face was so close that you could feel his breath warm and steady against your skin.

“Jude…” you started, not knowing how to finish the rest.

“Yeah?”

You didn’t answer. There wasn’t anything else left to be said. You felt the staticky, warm rush of anticipation that can only be felt right before you’re about to kiss someone for the first time. 

His lips brushed up against yours softly, finally making a connection that was years in the making. The first second stretched out and you couldn’t pull away. You found yourself kissing him back, moving your hand instinctively to his shoulder. Jude’s hand slid down to your waist, pulling you closer as the kiss deepened slowly, with much intentionality. His hands moved up your back and he brushed his fingertips up and down your spine, making you shiver – but not from the cold.

But then the power turned back on.

Both of you froze, lips still barely touching, blinking against the sudden harsh red LED lighting – both of you caught like a deer in headlights. 

“Shit” Jude whispered, pulling back so fast the blanket nearly slipped off both of you.

You scrambled to your side of the bed with your heart pounding, lips still buzzing from the feeling of his. You pulled the blanket over yourself like it could hide the fact that you just made out with your childhood best friend.

The room went back to silence with the exception of the heater that thrummed back to life, filling the room back up with much needed warmth.

“So” Jude started, his voice awkward and loud. “Power’s back on.”

“Yep” you said quickly, avoiding his gaze. “Back on. Power. Electricity. Thomas Edison...or whoever.”

“Yeah…guess we don’t need body heat anymore” Jude said light and careful, not sure if it was safe to joke yet.

You peeked at him from the corner of your eye. He was on his side of the bed with his hands tucked behind his head like he was trying to play it cool, but his lips twitched up and gave him away.

“Yeah..” you mumbled, still clutching the blanket. “No need.”

The heater roared louder as you sank further to your edge of the bed. You stared at the ceiling trying to pretend like your thoughts weren’t a mess.

Jude cleared his throat, breaking the silence again. This boy really couldn’t go long without talking to you. “For what it’s worth... that wasn’t the worst decision you’ve ever made.”

You turned your head to meet his gaze for the first time since the power came back on. He didn’t have a cocky grin this time. It seemed shy, like he wasn’t sure what to do with it.

“I’ll keep that in mind” you smiled, feeling just as shy.

“You warm enough now?” Jude asked, changing the subject so you wouldn’t be too uncomfortable.

You rolled your eyes, but your smile grew. “Yeah, I’m fine. Very cozy now.”

“Good” he murmured, his eyes lingering on you longer than necessary. “Wouldn’t want you catching a cold on our honeymoon. Santa might not forgive me for that.”

You laughed softly, shaking your head. “Right. Can’t mess up so close to the holidays.”

“You get me” he said, grinning in full force now. “Nice list all day, every day.”

“Mm..debatable.” you teased, moving closer to his side of the bed. 

“Hater” Jude interlocked his hand with yours as you both laid in bed.

You closed your eyes, comfortable warmth filling your heart from the temperature in the room, the holiday season, and from Jude’s kiss.

“Goodnight Jude.”

“Goodnight Mrs. Bellingham.” he teased, kissing your cheek.

You opened one eye to glare at him, but internally you were feeling butterflies. “Don’t push your luck.”