Page 130 of Can't Get Over You
“Okay.”
When Jude lifted him onto his lap, the boy collapsed against his chest. In about five seconds, he was out cold, his body boneless.
It was the sweetest sight, how well they were bonding.
Her phone vibrated, so she peeked at the screen—but only because her dad still hadn’t shown up yet. But no, it was just a spam text.
She had to get her parents out of her mind.This is nothing new.
“So what’s the plan?” Wyatt asked, looking at Cody.
“Carlo’s attorney’s going to get started on the adoption papers, and we’ll talk on January second.”
“That must give him so much peace of mind,” Finlay said. “To know his grandson’s in good hands.”
“I told him we’ll find a place for him to live right near us,” Jude said. “We want him to stay as involved as he wants.”
“My heart is full,” Ava said. “This makes me happy.”
“And what about you two?” Boone wagged a finger between them.
“Don’t do that,” Wyatt said quietly.
“Do what?” Boone asked. “It’s a legit question. They’re obviously together. She’s more than a nanny.”
“Why don’t we let them figure that out,” Ava said. “It’s new.”
“It doesn’t feel new.” Jude seemed surprised he’d said it out loud, but he didn’t back off. “I’ve wanted her more than half my life. Even when I moved away, she was still in here.” He lookedat Finlay. “You’ve owned my heart since I was eleven. It doesn’t feel new at all. It’s inevitable.”
She almost couldn’t believe he was saying these things. It was like every teenage fantasy of him she’d ever had come to life. “It does.” It struck her—why she’d settled for a love like Matt’s. She’d beengratefulto find someone who wanted to do the same things she did. She’d appreciated his interest because it was so much more focused than anything her parents had given her.
But with Jude…My God, what a gift.
I deserve this kind of love.
“Hey, man,” Boone teased. “This is the singles table. The sappy couple table’s in the kitchen. Go on, get out of here.”
“You taking over Wild Billy’s?” Wyatt asked.
“Yeah, looks like it.” Jude turned to her for confirmation, as if she had a say in it.
She could only nod.Didshe have a say in what he did?Is that where we are?
“Okay, cool.” Wyatt nodded. “So you’re not moving.”
“Things’ve obviously gone to hell without me here, so no, I’m not going anywhere.” Jude’s gaze hit Boone, then Wyatt. “Gotta keep you two assholes in line.”
“Hey.” Boone snatched a bread roll and tossed it at Jude.
Jude reached to catch it, but it glanced off the side of the Snowfest first-place trophy that sat in the center of the table and hit Cody’s head. “Thanks for making my point.”
Cody woke up and rubbed the back of his hand over his eyes. “What hit me?”
“It was a roll.” Jude shot his brother a chastising look. “Uncle Boone thought he was funny, but he’s not. We don’t do things like that, do we? That’s not acceptable—” In a flash, Jude rose out of his seat, clutching Cody, and stuffed the soft roll down Boone’s black T-shirt.
Cody cracked up.
“You did not want to do that.” Boone grabbed a prime rib bone off his plate and waved it threateningly.
