“Yes,” I grumble. “I have enough nerves as it is, you’re making it worse.”
“Daphne,” Hudson whines. “Liv hit me.”
Daphne’s head pops out of the rental car as she brings Rosie from her car seat. “I know I don’t have to parent you both, you’re grown adults. Act like it.”
I look at Hudson, poking my tongue out, and he does the same. The ridiculousness of it makes us both burst into laughter.
“Daddy’s funny,” Rosie joins in.
“Funny looking,” I mumble, pinching her cute, rosy cheeks.
Today has been about a year in the making, ever since Jay’s first game with the Valkyries, and it’s finally happening.
“Let’s go in, he’ll be here soon.”
The bell above the door jingles as we step inside. The place smells like espresso and cinnamon. It’s quieter than usual for a Saturday, which works in our favor. Daphne grabs a corner table while Hudson orders drinks, and I try to stop my leg from bouncing.
Rosie climbs onto the chair beside her mom, legs swinging. She’s got a tiny pair of sunglasses perched on her head and one of those glittery stickers she loves stuck to her shirt. She looks so freaking cute.
“I made Unca-Jay a picture,” Rosie announces, pulling a crumpled drawing from her backpack. “It’s a whale because he lives by the sea.”
“Aww, Ro, he’s gonna love it. He told me he misses you so much and can’t wait to hug you.” Rosie smiles widely at that, then does a little happy dance where she’s sitting, just as a light gush of air swooshes behind me.
“What the—” He laughs, and I turn to see him, glasses being pushed back up his nose from shaking his head. “You guys are here? I didn’t know you were visiting.”
“Surprise!” Hudson calls, loud enough for half the café to turn. “We figured it was time. And Rosie wanted to see her Unca-Jay.”
At her name, Rosie scrambles down from the chair and barrels toward him. “Unca-Jay!”
He crouches just in time to catch her. “Hey, love bug. You got taller.”
“Mythreenow,” she says proudly, holding up four fingers.
Jay laughs, not letting her down. “Wow, you’re so smart.”
Daphne side-hugs him, bopping Rosie’s nose. “She’s been practicing her math, apparently.”
Jay sets Rosie on his hip, and she immediately wraps her arms around his neck. “My missded you.”
I share a look with Daphne that just about means we’re melting at the cuteness.
“My missded you more, love bug.”
God, it’s ridiculous how cute they are together. Tears prick behind my eyes before I can stop them. Those two have stayed close since he moved—FaceTime calls, shared jokes, the whole thing. Jay’s even trying to convince her rugby’s her destiny, much to Hudson’s horror.
Rosie wiggles down and grabs her picture. “That’s you. And that’s your ocean.”
He grins. “That’s perfect. I’ll hang it in my office.”
Rosie looks at him like he hung the moon and stars.
“How is work going?” Daph asks as Hudson scoops Ro up to his lap.
“Busy. Good busy, though. The Valkyries and Knights are finally coexisting more peacefully.”
“That’s good to hear.” It really is. This last year has been an interesting one, going by everything he’s told me.
Hudson nods thoughtfully, stirring his drink. “You follow much of the Colts?”
