Page 88 of More Than Friends

“He’s been doing his best,” I say, meeting Nathaniel’s gaze. The first thing I think when our eyes meet is that Jude has the same warm, brown eyes as his father. “It’s been hard for him to not take on the full load of caring for Ava, but hopefully soon, we’ll find a rhythm,” I continue, wondering why it’s so important to me that his parents know how hard he’s been trying to juggle it all. They haven’t seen him every day, navigating all of this, the way I have. He’s doing the best he can, and they should know that.

“She really looks just like him,” Florence notes, completely changing the subject.

My gaze moves from Nathaniel back to Ava. I focus on her the same way Florence does, remembering how I thought the same thing the first time I saw her. Ava looks almost identical to her dad. I have no idea who her mother is, but I really can’t see anyone else in Ava’s features besides Jude.

“She’s perfect,” I whisper, leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head.

“Do you know who her mother is?” Florence asks, taking me by surprise that she would ask the question so quickly.

I immediately shake my head. “I don’t know her name. Jude didn’t tell me, and I didn’t ask.”

Florence frowns for a moment as if she doesn’t believe me. I can’t help but feel a tinge of pain in my chest because…is that something he should’ve told me? His mom clearly expects me to know, but it isn’t something I ever wanted to push Jude on. I didn’t really care to know. If Ava’s mother didn’t want to be in her life, then it isn’t necessary for me to know her identity.

She looks a little disappointed that I don’t have the answer. “He told us it was someone in his past, but that’s as far as he’d go. He hired his own lawyers and didn’t involve us in any of the legal dealings, so I can’t even find out from the lawyers who her mother is. From the sound of it though, it seems like he’s getting closer every day to having full parental rights to Ava,” Florence continues. “I don’t want to ask him if he doesn’t want to share. I just feel like I could be doing more to help him, but it doesn’t seem like he wants the help.”

I don’t say anything in response. Jude’s kept me updated about the legal proceedings. It’s a long process, but so far, it seems like everything is going according to plan for him to have full rights to Ava.

“Can I hold her?” Florence asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

I blink, trying to regain focus as I think about the right thing to do in this situation. Jude adores his parents. I know there isn’t any reason he wouldn’t want his mom holding his daughter…it just feels weird that he isn’t here for the moment.

I nod. “Do you mind if I take some photos of it though?” I point to where my camera sits on the end table by the couch. Since it was just me and Ava, I spent some of our playtime getting photos of her. My memory cards are filled with photos of her over the last month. I want to start putting together a gift for Jude to give him on Ava’s first birthday, something filled with photos of her from every month she’s been with us. “I just feel bad Jude isn’t here for the moment, and he’ll want to be able to see the two of you holding her for the first time.”

Florence looks over to where Nathaniel closes the distance to her and places a hand on her shoulder.

Nathaniel stares at me with the same brown-eyed gaze as Jude, his lips pressed into a thin line before he gives one curt nod. “That’s very thoughtful of you.”

Florence nods along with her husband. “We’d love that.”

I smile and squeeze Ava once before handing her over to Florence. Jude’s mom’s eyes immediately glass over when Ava goes to her without any protests. I take in the moment for a second before hurrying over to grab the camera.

I take as many photos as I can, wishing Jude were here to see this moment with his parents but doing everything I can to make it feel like he didn’t miss a thing when he returns home from his day at Pembroke.

FORTY-NINE

JUDE

“There he is,”Tyson teases as I step into the pro shop at Pembroke. “I was worried that you completely disappeared. Charlotte’s been telling me you’re fine and just busy, but if you didn’t show up today, I was going to callDateline.”

I roll my eyes as I come to a stop next to him. “No need. I’m here. It’s just been a crazy few weeks.”

Tyson stares at me for a moment. I shift under his stare, wondering if he somehow knows about Ava already or if he’s thinking something else as he watches me closely. I didn’t know anyone could hide their emotions better than Cal, but it turns out Tyson has a better poker face. He nods. “Glad you could make it, then.”

I give him a smile as a little bit of guilt hits me. I still don’t know Tyson as well as I know other members at the club, but I’m enjoying getting to know him, and I feel bad that the craziness with Ava paused that for a moment. Tyson hasn’t been as active a member in the past as his sister, Winnie, or her husband, Archer, but it seems like he’s making an effort to be here more. Now that I’m figuring out my footing with Ava, I make the mental note to put more effort into getting to know Tyson more.I really like him, and I hope the month of ignoring him reaching out hasn’t upset him.

“Is it just us today, or is anyone else joining?” I ask. I know Charlotte had mentioned that some others might come out, but I was so wrapped up in what happened between us last night and not wanting to leave her and Ava today that I forgot to ask.

“Archer, Cal, and Beck are coming. Ryker, Camille, Preston, and Emma all come in later this week, so they want to join in another day.”

I nod. Part of me was hoping all the guys would be here so I could tell them about Ava all at once instead of having to do it multiple times, but telling Tyson, Archer, and Beck about my daughter will still be a way to get the word out. My chest feels tight with nerves, but I know I’ll feel better once I’m finally able to tell them.

Everyone else will find out when I show up at the party on Friday with Ava in tow. The small group today will allow me to dip my toes into sharing the news before the big reveal later this week.

“It’ll be nice to catch up with everyone,” I note. When Tyson doesn’t answer me, I follow his gaze to see what’s caught his attention. He’s always quiet, but there’s something about the way he stares out the pro shop window that catches my attention.

I follow his gaze until I see a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair standing on the sidewalk, speaking with a Pembroke employee. I don’t know if Tyson is staring at the blonde or the employee, but whichever one it is, when I look back at him, I find that his gaze still hasn’t wavered.

“How are you feeling about today? You ready to actually win against me this time?” I ask. All of them are probably going to beat me because I haven’t swung a club in weeks. I’m used togolfing a few times a week, so it’ll probably take some time for me to get back in the groove.