Twenty-One

"G randma, check out this brass sextant I found," Jimmy said. He blew off the top layer of dust on the device that mariners used to calculate longitude and latitude for navigation. "Do you think this is the real deal or a replica?"

His grandmother worked her way through the cluttered garage sale to reach him. She took it from his hand, then rubbed her shirt sleeve over parts of it to check for signs of modern construction. "It's hard to be sure with so much buildup of dirt and grime, but it appears to be original." She looked up at Jimmy with a puzzled expression on her face. "You already have one of these, dear."

"I know, but I'd like to buy this for a friend who has a similar collection."

She waggled her brows. "Does his name start with an N ?"

It had been impossible to keep Nova's existence a secret from his grandmother and mother over the past five and a half weeks, not that he'd wanted to. They'd seemed charmed by his new romance and hadn't commented on the nights Jimmy stayed over at Nova's house. "No, but her name starts with an N ."

"I thought you said his little girl was named Millie," his grandma said.

"Camilla June, but we call her Millie," Jimmy replied. It was impossible to keep his adoration out of his voice. "I'm talking about Nova's mom, Natalie, though. She has a passion for antiques like we do."

Grandma frowned as she returned the sextant to him. "Why do you know so much about Nova's mother, and we know next to nothing about him?"

Jimmy's mother joined them and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Mom," she said gently, "I thought we agreed not to put this kind of pressure on Jimmy."

"Georgie, did you know Jimmy is familiar enough with Nova's mother to buy her expensive antiques?"

"Actually, the price tag on this is fifteen dollars," Jimmy said. "It's worth a lot more if it's real."

"Oh, that's a damn good bargain either way," his grandma said, temporarily forgetting her ire. "If the sextant is a replica, it's the best I've seen."

"I'm buying it," Jimmy said.

"Are you ashamed of us?" Grandma asked. "Is that why we haven't met Nova and his daughter?"

"Of course he's not ashamed," his mom said. "We're lovely people, right, Jimmy?" There was a slight hesitation in her voice, which made Jimmy wonder if she'd started to have the same concerns as his grandmother. Christ.

"You're the loveliest people I know. Everything is so new, and I don't have a damn clue what I'm doing."

"Nova hasn't suggested meeting us?" his grandma asked. "I find that strange since he introduced you to his parents."

"Mom, Jimmy met Natalie before he met Nova," his mom said in a show of support. "Remember?"

"Of course I remember, Georgie. I'm not daft. Jimmy hasn't just met her, though. He knows all about her antique collection."

"Something I learned when I went to her home for an interview," Jimmy said, trying not to sound defensive. "I haven't been back to her house since Nova and I started dating."

Officially dating, that was. His last visit came after they'd been physically involved but not romantically. Jimmy's face heated as he recalled how awkward he'd felt at dinner with Nova's parents, but his nerves had disappeared when Natalie confided the reasons she'd dropped out of the public eye. Her faith in his character meant the world to Jimmy. His grandmother was right, though. It wasn't fair that he'd met his boyfriend's family without introducing Nova to his.

He took a deep breath. "Do you really want to meet Nova?"

"And Millie," they said together.

"I'll run it by him," Jimmy told them.

"When?" his grandma asked.

Jimmy smiled. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Nope," they replied.

"When is Millie coming back from California?" his mother asked.

"Today, thank God ." He'd missed her like crazy during her month-long stay with Scott, and he'd seen the toll it had taken on Nova. Between missing Millie and the looming deadlines for his projects, his boyfriend had been a bundle of nerves. Jimmy had tried to ease Nova's tension the best way he knew how, but like he'd told his grandma, he was flying blind. Glancing at his watch, Jimmy said, "He should be at the airport as we speak. We were planning a simple barbecue at his place tonight, but I can see if Nova would like to come over to our house instead."

His grandma nodded her approval. "Call him now."

"Are you sure that's enough time to prepare a meal?" Jimmy asked her.

"Please," she said, swatting away his question like a pesky fly. "I could prepare a feast fit for royalty in just a few hours."

"Well, Millie is a princess," Jimmy said.

"Call him now," his mom urged, albeit more gently than his grandmother's tone.

"Okay." Jimmy handed the sextant to his grandmother so he could make the call.

"Hey there," Nova said into the phone a moment later. Just the sound of the man's voice did delicious things to Jimmy's insides.

"Has the eagle landed?"

Nova laughed. "Kai hasn't texted me yet, but I'm here outside the passenger pickup area. We're still on for tonight, right?"

"About that…"

"Uh-oh. Has something come up?" Nova asked.

"No, nothing like that." Jimmy glanced at his mother and grandmother, who were gesturing for him to get to it. "My mother and grandmother would like to meet you and Millie June." His grandma narrowed her eyes, and his mom winced.

"Told you he's ashamed of us, Georgie," his grandmother said.

His mother stifled a giggle and said, "Hush, Mom. Let Jimmy handle this his way."

Nova laughed. "I can hear you're not alone."

"Got the whole family watching me screw this up right now," Jimmy said. He took a deep breath before adding, "I'm pretty sure I want you to meet them also." His mother and grandmother rolled their eyes.

"Pretty sure, huh?" Nova asked. "I don't see how I can resist an invitation like that. I'm not sure what kind of mood Millie's in. She's either going to be hyper or cranky. There's rarely a middle ground with this girl."

"I've seen both versions and find them equally adorable," Jimmy replied.

"What time would you like us to be there?" Nova asked.

Jimmy looked at his grandmother. "What time should I tell them to arrive?"

"They can arrive anytime, but I'll serve dinner at six," she replied.

Jimmy nodded at her, then walked away to have a private moment with Nova. He stopped by a display of antique gardening tools and relayed his grandmother's message.

"We'll be there," Nova said.

"I've missed you this week," Jimmy said. Nova's looming construction deadline had eaten into their alone time, but he didn't want to pile more pressure on an already stressful situation.

His boyfriend made a growly noise and said, "I've missed you too. It's been too many days since I've kissed you. Which is why you are absolutely coming home with me tonight."

"Yeah?"

"Uh-huh," Nova said. "And pack a bag because I'm not willing to turn you loose until Monday."

"Two nights in your arms sounds like pure heaven," Jimmy said. He'd only stayed over a few times and never consecutive evenings. "I might never want to leave."

Nova sighed. "That makes two of us."

"I'll see you in a little while."

"Looking forward to it," Nova said.

After they finished their conversation, Jimmy caught his mother and grandmother watching him with matching smiles on their faces. There was no way he was going to play this cool and decided not to bother.

"We need to set some ground rules," Jimmy announced when he rejoined them.

"Oh?" his grandmother asked. "Such as?"

Jimmy held up a finger. "No asking Nova what his intentions are."

"This isn't 1950, Jimmy," his grandmother said dryly.

Jimmy held up a second finger. "No showing Nova my embarrassing baby book photos on his first visit."

"Come on," his mom complained.

"I said the first visit. If you manage not to scare him off, you can show him any photos you like. And that brings us to…" He held up three fingers. "I'm staying with Nova and Millie this weekend."

"You don't need our permission, dear," his mother said.

"I know kids do things differently these days," his grandmother added. "I won't make comments."

"Let's get on with our antiquing because we have a feast to prepare," Jimmy told them.

His grandma saluted him with two fingers and headed off to a far corner of the garage.

Jimmy and his mom continued looking at the nautical pieces for a few moments before they followed her.

"I'm so proud of you," she said, looping her arm through Jimmy's.

"Thanks. I'm proud of me too."