Page 37 of Seashells and Other Souvenirs

“Whoa!” I jump up off the couch and lift my hands up over my head. “Of all the things I guessed might be part of my Wednesday night, being held up at sword point was not one of them.”

Donovan giggles and waves his new weapon back and forth. “Uncle Jude bought it for me.”

“And how was the show?”

He lowers the sword and twirls it in his hands. “Awesome. I’m sad it was Uncle Jude’s last night there, but he promised he’d take me back at Christmastime. And then, he can even sit with me. Right, Mom?”

Kelsey’s eyes have the same sheen I’ve seen in Sutton’s when she’s watching Marcie have fun. “Right.”

“Can we watch a pirate movie tonight?” Donovan asks me.

“No sir.” Kelsey grabs his shoulders and turns him toward the hallway. “A dinner show and ice cream on the way home means now it’s bedtime.”

“But Uncle Jude should be home soon. I want him to read with me.”

“Will you settle for me tonight?” Kelsey asks.

He pauses and raises his sword. “Will you do the voices?”

“Deal.” When she exchanges a look with me, we both do our best to keep straight faces. “Now brush your teeth before I make you walk the plank.”

“Can I hug Alex goodnight first?”

I melt. Kelsey nods, and Donovan wraps his arms around my legs. “Love you, Alex.”

“Love you too, buddy.”

Heart full, I sit back on the couch to wait for Jude. He walks in a few minutes later with a bag of takeout.

“Welcome home, pirate.”

“Not anymore.” He sets the food on the coffee table and sits beside me. “I’ve hung up my cutlass and vowed to live an honest life.”

“Did you have a good last night?”

He nods. “It was a lot of fun having Donovan there. Did he already go to bed?”

“Kelsey’s reading to him now.”

“I hope she’s doing the voices right.”

“Jude, he might be the most precious kid in the world.”

“I won’t tell Sutton you said that,” he jokes. “I know I’m biased, but I think he’s pretty special.”

“I’ll admit though.” I sigh. “I’m a little jealous that he got an invitation to the pirate show when I was expressly forbidden to come.”

“You didn’t let that stop you.”

I open my mouth to argue, but he cuts me off. “I actually thought about taking you tomorrow. But I didn’t want to show up there the first day after I quit.” He lowers his voice. “And I’d feel weird taking you on a date to the same place my brother did.”

I bristle. “First of all, that was not a date. And secondly, if you didn’t notice, I spent that whole night watching you .”

“Yeah?”

“Mmhm.” I look into his warm brown eyes. “I think maybe that was when I started trying to convince myself I didn’t think of you as more than a friend.” I relish the way his eyes sparkle when I say this. “Honestly, there were a couple times I forgot Gavin was even there.”

“But you can understand me feeling a little jealous. You definitely had a thing for him a few years ago.” He shrugs. “I don’t blame you. I’m still a nerd now, but I was super geeky back then.”

“No. I was just super oblivious. Thanks for not giving up on me while I figured things out.”

“Worth the wait.” He jerks his chin toward the coffee table. “You hungry? I thought since Kelsey and Donovan ate at the show, we could eat in here tonight and maybe play some Mario Kart. Feels like the only appropriate way to celebrate.”

“That sounds lovely. I’ll grab some drinks.” I stand, and he follows me.

“Don’t you want to know what we’re celebrating?” he asks.

I stop halfway to the kitchen. “I assumed you meant your retirement from piracy. Is there something else?”

He tucks his hands into his pockets and smiles shyly. “The city called this afternoon and offered me the job.”

“JUDE!” I nearly knock him down with the force of my hug. “Why didn’t you tell me this as soon as you walked in the door? Why didn’t you text me the second you got off the phone with them?” I’m so overwhelmed with happiness for him I’m crying and shaking.

He wraps his arms around me. “And miss this reaction in person?”

“Congratulations.” I step back and swipe at my cheeks. “I’m seriously thrilled for you. And for them. They could not have found a more perfect person for this job.” I shake my head. “I don’t even know what else to say. How are you so calm? I’m a mess.”

“I can’t explain how much better you being happy with me makes this.” He’s beaming, and his elation is contagious.

“I feel so lucky I get to be here to celebrate with you. We need balloons or streamers or something. Fireworks! Want me to run out and get some sparkling cider?”

He laughs. “We don’t need balloons or fireworks or sparkling cider.”

“But it’s a special occasion! We should do something special.”

“See, that’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. Just being with you makes everything special. I just want to spend time with you.”

The sincerity in his voice almost makes me start crying again. “Takeout and video games it is.”

He walks to the refrigerator and pulls out two cans of ginger ale.

“Hey, Jude?”

“Yes?”

“Can I tell you something?”

He stops, sets the cans on the counter and waits.

“I just . . . I need you to know that I think you’re amazing.

I mean, in addition to being one of my favorite people on earth.

You’re a good man, Jude Alford, and the world is a better place because you’re in it.

I know you’re going to be great at this job and make a difference in a lot of people’s lives and bring a lot of families joy when they come here on vacation.

” I feel my face flush. “Anyway, I’ll stop with all the mushy stuff; I just wanted to say that out loud.

Let’s eat.” I reach for one of the drinks on the counter.

“I can’t stay up too late tonight, because I have a date with a really cute guy tomorrow. ”

He looks at me like I’ve just handed him a million dollars and steps close enough to send my heart into a tailspin again. “Well, now that you’ve said all these sweet things to me, I feel kind of bad that I’m about to beat you at video games.”

I hand him the other can. “Not a chance.”