Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Step two had them all lining up at the bottom of the stairs: Jude, Cody, his dad, his brothers, and Ava. But what he’d thought was a great idea yesterday…he wasn’t so sure about now.
Basically, he was sweating underneath the tuxedo jacket.
“Thanks for helping us today, little man.” Boone gave Cody a fist bump. “You did good work.”
“Did you have fun?” Ava asked.
The little boy looked up. “Us guys worked real hard.”
Us guys.
Cute.
“I’m sure you did,” she said. “I’ll stop by tomorrow and take a look.”
“All’s we did today is jump on the snow and start…um.” Cody gazed up at Jude for help.
“Carving,” Jude said at the same time Boone said, “Designing.”
“Well, I can’t wait to see it,” Ava said. “And it sounds like hard work. Maybe I’ll bring some snacks.”
“Yeah, we need ’em,” Cody said. “We sure get hungry out there. And it’s cold.”
“That’s why they set up a tent with food and hot chocolate,” Gunnar said. “It’s for the teams. Let’s not make Ava do more work.”
“I don’t mind,” Ava said. “I want to see what you’ve done.”
Pressing his hands together, Jude glanced up the stairs. He’d only told Finlay they were having a date night, but if she expected dinner at a nice restaurant, she’d be disappointed. He’d told her to dress up, but that could mean anything.
He probably should’ve given her a heads-up. Something that wouldn’t spoil the surprise.
“You came up with some good ideas, Cody,” his dad said. “I think we’ve got a winner.”
“Oh, we’re winning all right,” Boone said. “Especially with that sleigh on the roof.”
“That’ll take a lot of extra time,” Wyatt said.
“Yeah, well, Jude’s here, so we’ve got an extra pair of hands,” Boone said. “We’ll get it done.”
He’d barely slept last night. Once he’d come up with the idea, he’d had to put it in motion. That meant he’d stayed up for hours creating a playlist. And then, he’d had to make a list of supplies.
He was damn lucky his family had stepped in to help. After a morning of back-breaking work with chisels and saws and a twenty-five-ton block of snow, they hadn’t hesitated to head over to the gym and set it all up while he and Cody went to the tuxedo shop and showered.
He appreciated the hell out of them.
“What’s the matter with you?” Boone whacked his shoulder.
“Nothing.” He said it automatically, but who was he kidding? Between the sweat and wringing hands, they knew he was a mess. “It’s a stupid idea. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“Oh no, honey. It’s a great idea.” Ava had her phone camera aimed and ready. “She’ll love it.”
“Look.” Cody stood beside him, the box in his hand. “Here she comes.”
As Fee hit the top of the stairs, she stopped to take in the scene. “What in the world’s going on?” Outfitted in a black dress and high heels, her hair blown out in shiny waves, and red lipstick slashed across her mouth, she looked sexy and elegant.
Once she stepped into the living room, she bent her knees to take the box Cody held out to her.
“Look at you in a tux.” She ran her fingers down the little boy’s jacket.
“Aren’t you handsome?” She opened the box.
“Oh, this is so pretty.” After sniffing the corsage, she broke into a warm smile.
“Thank you, Cody.” Then she looked at Jude.
“Did I not dress right? I thought we were going out to dinner?”
“We are,” Jude said. “And you’re perfect.” She was magnificent. He loved the Finlay who was tousled from his hands and sleepy-eyed after a good fucking, but this elegant version made him wish he’d shaved and trimmed his hair.
“Then why the tuxes?” she asked.
“Mister did something bad and ruined your date, so he wants to re…reen…” Cody glanced up at Jude once again.
“Reenact,” he said.
“Yeah.” Cody nodded. “He wants to renact it.”
“You’re not talking about the prom, are you?” She seemed surprised.
He nodded, unsure whether it was a look of horrified or delighted shock. But he didn’t want to waste his family’s efforts, so he needed to usher them along.
“And you’re all part of this?” She took in the lineup, tears glazing her eyes and pink flooding her cheeks. “I don’t even know what to say. You’re the nicest people I’ve ever met. Thank you.” She fell into Gunnar’s arms, and he patted her back.
His dad grunted, making Jude and his brothers laugh.
She made her way down the line, crouching when she got to the little boy.
“Will you help me put it on?” Cody held the elastic band open while she slid her hand through.
When she stood, she wiped the moisture under her eyes.
She faced Jude with a dazzling smile and pulled him in for a hug. “This is such a sweet thing to do.”
The modest dress molded her hour-glass curves. He wanted to peel it off and kiss her while he filled his palms with her tits. He wanted to drop to his knees, hike up her skirt, and taste her pussy. He gave her a look that said, Later, you’re all mine.
“Okay, picture time.” Ava positioned everyone for a series of photographs, some with just the couple, others with Cody in the middle, and a selfie with the entire family together.
Everyone was joking and laughing, and all he wanted was to get her alone.
His hands itched to cup her ass, pull her close… He just wanted her all to himself.
“All right, that’s enough.” He led her to the door and pulled her long wool coat from the closet.
“Now, you kids have fun,” Ava said.
Jude held it out for her, and she slid her arms in. He couldn’t resist kissing her cheek and breathing in her soft, floral scent.
“Who is this guy?” Boone said. “I don’t know what’s happening, but I want my brother back.”
“Leave it,” Wyatt said.
Just as they headed out, Boone called, “Hey, Grizz.”
Jude turned just in time to catch a condom to his chin. It dropped to the floor.
“What’s that?” Cody called.
“Let’s just say, it’s going to keep you an only child.” Boone laughed.
Pocketing it, Jude crouched in front of Cody and gave him a hug. “You be good for Grandpa, okay?”
“I will. We’re gonna make ornaments for the tree.”
“That sounds great. You have fun.”
The boy inched closer, fingering Jude’s bow tie. “Are you coming home?” he whispered.
“Yes, I am. But it’ll be late, so I won’t see you till morning.”
“Do I gotta be real quiet while you sleep it off?”
Jesus. Sometimes he couldn’t stand the wounds in this boy’s heart. “No, Cody.” He glanced up to see the concern on his brothers’ faces. “If you get up and want some company, wake me up, okay? You don’t have to be quiet, and I’ll never have to sleep anything off.”
“In the morning, will you make me pancakes like Grampa does?”
“Yes. If that’s what you want, I’ll make them.”
“You promise?”
Holding his gaze with firmness and sincerity, Jude said, “I promise.” He decided they needed a symbol of trust, so he made a fist with his thumb up. When they bumped, he showed the boy how to tap their thumbs together.
Cody let out a huff of breath, which sounded a lot like relief. “Okay.” He stepped back and joined his grandpa and uncles.
As they stepped out into the cold evening, Finlay hooked her arm through his. “I sure hope you get to adopt him.”
“I do, too.”
“You were meant to be in his life. You and only you.” She noticed the headlights at the curb, and her steps faltered. “You rented a limo?” She stopped on the walkway and turned to him. “You didn’t have to do this.”
He caught her hand and brought it to his mouth.
“I spent a lot of time thinking about what it must’ve felt like for you to wait for me, to think I played you, and it made me sick.
I wish I’d made a better choice that night.
” He turned it over and kissed her palm.
“But I promise to make better ones from now on.” As they headed to the sidewalk, a couple approached them.
“Oh, hello.” A tall woman in a black coat smiled. “I’ve been meaning to come over and introduce myself. I’m Jenna, and this is my husband, Brian.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Finlay held out her hand. “I’m Finlay, and this is Jude, my fiancé.”
“Well, let’s walk together.” The middle-aged woman lifted a covered casserole dish. “I always bring homemade pasta. It’s my grandma’s recipe, and they love it.” When she took in their outfits, her forehead crinkled. “I think you might be a little overdressed.”
Finlay looked across the street. A few houses down, Mrs. Atherton’s place was lit up, every window blazing with yellow light. The front door opened, and a family walked in.
Tonight’s the neighborhood Christmas party.
Something Fee’s dreamed of since she was a kid.
And instead of going to that, she’ll be in a high school gym.
Alone with me.
Well, this sucks.
“Actually, we weren’t invited.” Finlay unhooked her arm from his and clasped his hand. “But we couldn’t have gone anyway. It’s date night.”
“What do you mean, you weren’t invited?” The woman was clearly confused. “Did you check your mailbox?”
“That has to be a mistake,” the husband said. “Everyone’s welcome. Just come with us. We’ll introduce you around.”
Jude’s family had worked hard to decorate the gym, but his priority was Fee’s happiness. He gave her hand a squeeze, making sure she knew it was okay to change things up.
But her smile was true when she said to the couple, “Thank you. I appreciate that, but Jude’s made special plans for us. Have a good night.”
The couple continued across the street, and Jude cupped her elbow as he led her to the limo. He opened the door and followed her in. Inside, it was dark and rich with the scent of leather. Two glasses and a bottle of chilled champagne waited in the console.
She seemed impressed. “I’ve never been in a limo before.”
“Me neither. But it’s a lot more comfortable than a party bus.” He nodded to the driver in the rearview mirror, and they glided away from the curb.