Chapter 19
NINETEEN
April smoothed down the skirt of her sundress for the third time in as many minutes and told herself to stop fidgeting. It was just a third-grade moving-up ceremony. Not even a real graduation. Nothing to be nervous about.
Except Shane was meeting her here. And Leslie would be here. And those two facts together made her palms sweat.
"You look beautiful, Sweetness."
April turned to find Shane walking toward her across the elementary school parking lot, and her heart did that annoying flutter thing it had been doing for weeks now.
He was in jeans and a dark blue button-down that made his eyes look deep and dark and mysterious, and he was looking at her like she was the only person in the world.
"You didn't have to come," she said, even though she was ridiculously happy he had. "I know this is kind of silly. They do one of these ceremonies every grade."
Shane stopped in front of her, close enough that she could smell his cologne and the delicious scent of his skin underneath. "Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss this for the world."
“Spoken like a man who’s never sat through one,” April joked, to cover her nervousness.
He tilted his head, studying her face. "You okay?"
Busted. Of course he sees through me.
"Nope, I’m great,” April said, deflecting. “Principal Pirogue hasn't bothered Kevin since I threatened to sue, Leslie's lawsuit threat was all bluster. Kevin's been thriving. Spending all that time with you has been good for him."
"And the fact that he's stopped asking me to spend the night?" Shane asked quietly. "You convinced him you're okay if I'm not there?"
April felt heat creep up her neck. They'd had to have a very careful conversation with Kevin about how grown-ups needed privacy sometimes, and how April was perfectly safe in her own house, and how Shane couldn't spend every night because he had work and his own house and Pete to take care of. Kevin had finally, reluctantly, agreed.
What Kevin didn't know was that Shane would be spending the night at April's house while Kevin was on his class camping trip, starting tonight.
Still sneaking around like teenagers, but it works.
"He's more secure now," April said. "He knows you're not going anywhere."
Shane's hand found hers, warm and steady. "Damn right I'm not."
They walked into the school together, and April tried not to notice the way conversations paused when people saw them.
Tried not to care that Leslie frikkin Trent Sumner was standing near the entrance with a cluster of other mothers, her eyes narrowing when she spotted April, then immediately going wide with disbelief when a moment later she clocked Shane.
Okay, she did care. It felt fucking fabulous to see the jealousy absolutely radiating from Leslie.
The classroom had been decorated with streamers and a hand-painted banner that read "Congratulations Third-Graders!" Desks were pushed off to the sides of the room, folding chairs were set up at the back facing the whiteboard at the front, and April led Shane to seats near the middle.
"This seems like a lot of production for third grade," Shane murmured as they sat.
April bit back a smile. "They do this every year, all the way through fifth grade."
"Do they get participation diplomas for aging?"
"Hush." But she was grinning now, relaxing despite herself. "It's sweet. The kids love it." She got her phone ready for pictures so she could show her family later.
The ceremony started with Principal Pirogue welcoming everyone and making a bullshit speech about growth and learning that was mercifully short, then he headed for the next classroom, probably to say the same thing.
Then the third-grade teachers called students up one by one to receive certificates and say a few words about their favorite part of the school year.
When it was Kevin's turn, he bounded onto the stage with the kind of confidence that made April's throat tight. Despite all the crap this school gave him, he was grinning at the crowd like he owned it. April held up her phone to record his speech.
"My favorite part of third grade was all the times I actually got to go to recess,” Kevin said into the microphone. His classmates burst into laughter and the teachers squirmed, uncomfortable smiles on their faces.
Serves you right.
Then Kevin’s eyes found Shane in the audience, and his grin widened. "And my favorite part of this whole year was meeting my friend Shane."
April felt Shane go still beside her.
Kevin kept going, oblivious to the way several heads turned to look at them. "Shane taught me that it's okay to be scared sometimes, but being brave means doing hard things anyway. Also, he has the coolest dog ever."
Laughter rippled through the crowd again. Shane's hand tightened around April's.
After the ceremony, the whole school gathered in the cafeteria for lemonade and cookies. Kevin dragged Shane over to a cluster of his classmates.
"This is my friend Shane," Kevin announced proudly. "He was in the Navy. He was an S-W-C-C,” Kevin spelled. That's Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen. They're the ones the SEALs call when they’re in trouble."
One of the boys—April recognized him as Oliver, the class brain—looked up at Shane with wide eyes. "Really? What kind of boats?"
Shane crouched down to the kids' level, and April watched him patiently explain riverine operations in terms eight-year-olds could understand. He was so good with them. Patient. Kind. Not talking down, but not overwhelming them either.
Her heart did that flutter thing again. Worse this time.
"Well, isn't this cozy."
April didn't have to turn around to know who was speaking. Leslie's voice had that particular edge it always got when she was about to say something catty.
"Hello, Leslie," April said evenly as she turned to face her.
Leslie was in white capri pants and a coral blouse that probably cost more than April made in a week.
Her son Regis stood beside her looking miserable, his eyes darting toward Kevin and Shane with something that looked like longing.
Despite Regis being and utter brat and a bully, April did feel sorry for the little boy.
"I see you brought your friend," Leslie said, her gaze sliding to Shane. "Shane Foti. My, my. I’m surprised to see him with you. But then again, some people move on and up in the world." Her smile was razor-sharp. "And some people lower their standards and date trash."
The words landed like a slap. April felt her face heat, but before she could respond, one of the other mothers—Melissa Chen, whose daughter was in Kevin's class—stepped closer.
"That's uncalled for, Leslie," Melissa said quietly.
Leslie's smile didn't waver. "I'm just saying what everyone's thinking. April runs off to Vegas, comes back with a kid and no husband, and now she's got her hooks in Shane? Please. We all know how this ends."
"Actually," Melissa said, her voice still calm but with steel underneath, "we all know that April is a wonderful mother who runs a successful business with her family.
And Shane Foti is a decorated veteran who works for the most respected security company in the state.
So maybe keep your opinions to yourself. "
Leslie's face went red. She opened her mouth, closed it, then grabbed Regis's arm. "Come on. We're leaving."
As April watched her go, she felt her chest grow warm with gratitude spreading through her chest. "Thank you," she said to Melissa.
Melissa waved it off. "Leslie's been unbearable since her husband started spending more time ‘at work’,” she punctuated the words with air quotes, “than at home. Don't let her get to you." She smiled. "Besides, anyone can see that man is crazy about you."
April glanced over at Shane, still surrounded by grade-schoolers, patiently answering questions about Pete and boats and what it was like to jump out of helicopters. He caught her looking and winked, and yeah. Melissa might have a point.
An hour later, they were standing in the school parking lot watching kids board the bus for the annual end-of-year camping trip. Kevin had his backpack and sleeping bag, and he was practically vibrating with excitement.
But when he got to the bus steps, instead of getting on he turned back and ran over to Shane.
"You're in charge while I'm gone," Kevin said, very seriously. "Take care of my mom."
Shane crouched down, equally serious. "I will. Man to man, you have my word."
Kevin nodded, satisfied. Then he bit his lip. "And Shane? Can you stay with her again? Like, at our house? So she's safe?"
"Kevin—" April started.
"Please?" Kevin looked between them, and April could see the worry in his eyes. The fear that had been there since the day he’d begged Shane to be her bodyguard, the fear that something bad might happen if he wasn't there to watch. "I'll feel better knowing you're not alone, Mom."
April's throat went tight. Shane looked at her, silently asking permission to speak. She nodded.
"If your mom says it's okay," Shane said carefully.
April only barely succeeded in keeping a straight face.
"Okay," she said softly. "Just while you're gone."
Kevin's face split into a grin. He hugged them both—hard, fierce hugs that squeezed April's heart—and then ran for the bus.
They stood there watching as he climbed aboard, claimed a window seat, and waved frantically. April and Shane waved back.
The bus pulled away, and they stood there in a sea of parents until it disappeared around the corner.
April felt a laugh bubble up in her chest. She tried to hold it in. Failed.
"What?" Shane asked, looking at her with amusement.
"If he only knew we were planning on our own sleepover anyway," April said, and then she was laughing for real, the kind of laugh that came from relief and joy and the sheer absurdity of their situation.
Shane started laughing too. His hand found hers and threaded their fingers together. "He probably does know. That kid's a tactical genius."
"He really is," April agreed, still grinning like an idiot, even as a tiny thread of worry wound through her stomach. She never wanted Kevin to be like his bio-dad—manipulative to the core. But she dismissed the thought. Not my sweet boy.
They stood there in the emptying parking lot, hands linked, both of them grinning and feeling slightly guilty about being so happy Kevin was gone for the weekend.
But mostly just happy.
Shane tugged her closer, and April went willingly, letting him wrap his arms around her waist.
"So," he said, his voice low and warm against her ear. "Your place or mine?"
"Yours," April said immediately. "Pete's there. And your shower is bigger."
Shane laughed into her hair. "I like the way you think, Sweetness."
They walked to their cars together, and April couldn't stop smiling. Riversong’s loan was paid off, which freed up money for a new espresso machine—if she could convince Sonny to part with his cantankerous baby.
Kevin was safe and happy. Shane was here and staying.
And for the first time in longer than she could remember, everything felt. .. right.