“Well, not quite the country, but close enough.”
He pulled me in for a bear hug and pushed me back, searching my gaze with a big smile. Eric was ten years older than me and almost a head taller. I wouldn’t have been able to even consider the “country” if Eric weren’t here. He lived right next door to my parents in the same home he’d grown up in, moving in with his partner after my aunt and uncle retired and bought a condo in an over-fifty community in Westchester County.
Although he’d given me a lot of shit growing up for being the pipsqueak he could never shake, my cousin was a good guy who looked out for all of us.
“Jude, I’d like you to meet Eric, my pain-in-the-ass cousin.”
“And future owner of all this,” Dad added as he waved his hand around the restaurant.
“Like that’s going to be anytime soon,” Eric said, rolling his eyes at me over his shoulder. “But nice to finally meet you, Jude. My blabbermouth cousin has been surprisingly tight-lipped about the man in her life.”
Jude snuck me a smile as he stood to take his hand.
“Nice to meet you too,” Jude said, draping an arm around my waist after he dropped Eric’s hand. My mind went to all the weeks at Peyton’s house, watching her and Jake float around in their love bubble almost on autopilot. They’d touch each other all the time, seeming like it was so natural they weren’t even thinking about it.
I’d avoided love bubbles for most of my life, but they were pretty damn awesome now that I’d become enclosed in one with the right man.
The man I was in love with but couldn’t find the words to say it yet.
“I’ve been busy. Taking over a business is a lot of little things I never thought of, and—”
“No need,” Eric said, holding up a hand. “When I first met Steven, you all didn’t hear from me for weeks. I think it was you who showed up at the house, scolding me for going dark and forgetting how to text back.” Eric squinted at me as he stroked his beard.
“Whatever,” I said, scowling back at him. “Excuse me for caring.”
Eric chuckled, shaking his head as he set his hands on my shoulders.
“I’m proud of you, pipsqueak,” he whispered, making my chest pinch with all this stupid emotion. “And so damn happy for you.”
“Stop trying to make me get all sappy,” I said, my sass falling flat as my voice cracked. I’d been so distracted packing my things all day that I’d forgotten what it all meant.
I’d be back, but I wouldn’t live here anymore—because this wasn’t my life anymore.
“Did you get the box?” Dad asked Eric from behind me.
Eric held up a finger.
“Not a box, but I can wrap it up nice and secure once we give it to her.”
“Give me what?” I asked, craning my neck back and forth between my father and cousin.
They shared a tiny smile before my cousin nodded.
“I’ll be right back.”
I watched Eric walk to the back of the restaurant where my father’s office was.
“This all has me intrigued,” I said, sliding back next to Jude. My mother’s chuckle had me even more suspicious.
“Jude, Claudia said you live with your father,” my mother said.
“I do. For now, anyway. He’s getting used to his new leg and is walking better every day. He said he’s almost at the point where he can throw me out, but we’ll see.”
“You’re a good man for taking care of him. Many of my patients when I worked at the home were diabetics, and it gets so hard when they get to that point.”
“It’s been hard, but he may have turned a corner lately. I just worry for long-term, but I guess that’s my issue since he doesn’t seem to be concerned.”
My mother chuckled and reached across the table to pat his hand.
