Page 16 of Mr. McHunky

“Rude,” Aria says.

“Y’all can’t keep secrets,” Jude says. “Juliette is not wrong.”

I wink at Juliette.

“You mentioned the episode where you adopted Rosie, did you know we have a facility like that here in Saddle Creek?” Aria asks.

“Oh, that’s right,” Sofia says. “Great Dane’s Dog Sanctuary. It’s run by Dane Whitmore.”

“Sad day when that one went off the market,” Aria says.

“Also too old for you,” Jude says.

“It would probably be great publicity for them if you stopped by while you’re in town,” Sofia says.

“We’ve got a big cold front moving in tonight,” Juliette says. “They’re even saying we might get some snow.”

The other two sisters roll their eyes and laugh.

“They say that all the time,” Aria says. “We rarely get snow here.”

We finish up dinner and chat for a little while longer, but then Rosie gets restless so I decide it’s time to head back to Lola. Besides, I shouldn’t let myself get accustomed to sweet family dinners like this. This is not my life.

Jude insists on walking me back to my van after all three of his sisters insist on hugging me and making sure I know I’m welcomed back any time.

We walk in silence for a while before I finally speak.

“Your sisters are awesome,” I tell him.

“They’re all crazy. Well, Juliette is only partially crazy.”

“No, they’re fun. You did a really great job raising them.”

“I didn’t⁠—”

I grab his hand to stop him. “Take the compliment, Jude. You did do it. You did what needed to be done and now you have these three beautiful girls who are confident and know where they belong in the world. That’s no small thing.”

I try to let his hand go, but instead he threads our fingers together.

“Thank you for saying that.”

Why does holding his hand feel so right? Why isn’t it freaking me out?

Once we reach Lola, he allows me to drop his hand.

“Thanks for coming tonight. They really would never have let me live that one down.”

I laugh. “No problem. It was fun.”

He takes a step forward. And then another. “I want to kiss you.”

“What’s stopping you?” I ask with a boldness I’m not sure I actually feel.

“Because I’m pretty sure that once I start, I won’t be able to stop. Then I’ll just have to kiss you goodnight every day for the rest of your life.”

My heart is pounding and I want desperately for him to kiss me. But instead I force out an awkward laugh. “Wow, how do the women of Saddle Creek keep their wits about them with that level of charm?”

I don’t really give him a chance to respond, instead I lean up and kiss his cheek.

“Goodnight Jude.”

“Night Peaches.”