Page 150 of A Very Merry Mistake

“Ahh,” Hudson says, glaring at Jake.

Unspoken words stream between them, and she turns to me. “Please tell me I didn’t miss the fireworks show, too.”

“Not yet,” Jake says, giving her a hug. “How was your flight?”

“It was great.” Emma pats his back. “So glad she’s keeping you,” she tells him.

“Me, too,” Jake confirms.

“So when’s the wedding?” Emma asks.

I laugh. “We’ve been engaged for ten minutes and you expect me to have it planned already?”

Moments later, Colby runs over, bolts straight past Hudson and Jake, and runs to my arms.

“Hey, buddy,” I tell him, seeing his lips are blue and sticky. “What did you have to eat?”

“Nothin’,” he says.

Hudson walks over and tries to pick him up, but Colby shakes his head. “No.”

Then Colby holds his arms out to Emma.

“But you don’t even know me,” she tells him.

“You look like CeCe.” He points to me, and I chomp at his finger, making him squeal. He continues holding out his arms until she takes him. He lays his sticky face on her shirt.

“Okay, you’re adorable,” she remarks.

When I turn my head, I see Jake hugging his mother. “I forgot how much of a handful kids are. I think I’m officially old. He runs so fast,” she huffs.

Hudson chuckles. “He does.”

“Mom, this is Emma, Claire’s sister,” Jake says, giving the introduction.

“Hi, sweetie, so nice to meet you!” Jake’s mother says. “I hope you’ll join us for dinner one night.”

“Oh gosh, I would love that. Yes, please,” Emma says, still holding Colby.

I glance at Hudson, whose face is hard like stone. “Come on, cowboy, fireworks are about to start,” Hudson says to Colby. “Gotta give Ms. Emma time to talk with her sister.”

“No.” Colby growls and puckers his lips, making his best mad face.

“It’s fine,” Emma says. “Unless you’d prefer not.”

Hudson's face softens. “No, I just don’t want him to be a bother. He’ll become your shadow.”

“I don’t mind,” she confirms, then meets Colby’s green eyes. “Are you a little bother?”

He grabs a piece of her hair and runs his sticky fingers through it. “No. I’m a good boy.”

Jake chuckles and reaches forward to tickle him. “Tell her the truth! You’re a handful.”

“No! No, Unckie!” He screams loudly.

“Is that your favorite word?” Emma asks him.

“No.” Then Colby’s face cracks into a smirk. “You’re pretty,” he says.

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