15. Judd

Judd

The wharf is quiet, save for the crunch of snow beneath our boots and the distant sound of water lapping against the docks. Nakul’s hand is warm in mine, his fingers laced perfectly with mine. The air is cold enough to make my nose tingle and the light dusting of snow from earlier clings to the wooden beams of the pier.

I glance at him as we walk. The soft light of the setting sun catches in his long hair, turning it bronze in places. It’s easy to get lost in the comfort of the moment, to let myself forget about everything else for a little while.

“This is nice,” I say softly, breaking the comfortable silence.

He squeezes my hand gently. “Yeah. It really is.”

We stop near the edge of the wharf, looking out at the water. It’s a deep gray-blue under the fading light, reflecting the streaks of orange and pink from the sky. My free hand tucks into my coat pocket for warmth and I lean slightly into Nakul, letting his presence anchor me.

“Cold?” he asks, his breath visible in the chilly air.

“A little,” I admit, though I’m not really bothered by it. Not when I’m here with him.

He hums softly, a sound of agreement or maybe contentment. We stand there until the sun dips below the horizon. I don’t want this to end, but eventually, we turn and start walking back toward our cars.

Nakul pauses by his car, his hands tucked into his pockets now. He looks at me, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “I don’t want the night to end yet. Do you have more time?”

I blink, surprised by the question but immediately knowing my answer. “Yeah. I’ve got time.”

“Good,” he says, his smile widening. “Follow me.”

Curiosity piqued, I nod and climb into my car. He pulls out of the lot and I follow him through Windsor Creek’s quiet streets. We drive for a few minutes before he pulls up in front of my house.

“What are we doing here?” I ask as I park behind him.

“Dropping off your car,” he says, stepping out and motioning for me to join him. “Hop in with me.”

I hesitate for only a moment before grabbing my keys and joining him in his car. The heater is already blasting warm air and the faint scent of pine from an air freshener fills the small space.

“Where are we going?” I ask as he pulls back onto the road.

“You’ll see,” he says, a hint of mischief in his voice.

We drive for about twenty minutes, leaving the town behind. The snow-covered trees lining the road look magical under the starlight and when Nakul finally pulls into a small, deserted clearing, the sky opens up above us, breathtakingly clear and filled with stars.

“This,” he says, “is my favorite spot.”

My mouth drops open in awe as I take it all in, leaning forward to capture the true beauty of the sky through the windshield. “How did I not know that this existed?” The snow glows faintly under the starlight and the quiet is absolute, broken only by the occasional rustle of wind through the trees. “It’s beautiful,” I whisper.

Nakul chuckles as he takes one of my hands in his, both of us content to sit there and watch the winter sky. I find myself leaning my head on his shoulder, Nakul slipping off one of my gloves and pressing his lips to my knuckles. With the heat blasting, I let myself enjoy the quiet peace and before I realize it, my eyes drift close.

***

When I wake, I silently curse myself for falling asleep. I sit up quickly, groaning. “I shouldn’t have—oh God, what time is it?”

“It’s okay,” Nakul says gently, his voice soft. “It’s not that late.”

But I’m already in panic mode, scrambling to check my phone. It’s just past six am which means Athena and Lars need to leave for work. “I need to get back to the house. Stevie—” I feel awful, already talking about my kid while Nakul just prepared the best date I’ve had in a very long fucking time.

He leans over the console to kiss my cheek, immediately calming my nerves. “Hey, I get it. You and Stevie are a package deal and as excited as I am about this new thing between us, we have to remember we aren’t teenagers anymore. Let’s get you back, okay?”

“I’m sorry,” I say, hating ruining the mood.

Nakul shakes his head as he starts off down the road, “Don’t be. Neither one of us meant to fall asleep although I’m not complaining about how the night ended. I’ll apologize to your sister if that helps?”

God, he’s so precious. “No, I’m just a little frazzled is all. It’s been me and Stevie against the world for so long that I forget I have help sometimes. Athena didn’t even text me yet so I know they’re okay.”

The drive feels longer on the way back, my mind racing with guilt over falling asleep and gratitude for Nakul’s patience. By the time we pull into the driveway, my heart is still pounding.

“Thanks for last night,” I say quickly, opening the door.

Before I can fully step out, something pulls me back. An urge, sudden and overwhelming. I turn, rushing to Nakul’s side of the car, and knock on the window. He rolls it down, looking at me curiously.

And then I kiss him.

It’s not soft or tentative. It’s all the pent-up emotion I’ve been holding back, all the confusion and desire and hope. His lips meet mine eagerly, his hand brushing my cheek, and for a moment, the world falls away.

When I finally pull back, breathless, I don’t wait for a response. I mumble a quick, “See you,” and bolt for the house, my face burning.

The warmth of the house greets me, the smell of coffee mingling with the faint scent of bacon. Lars is sitting at the kitchen table, sipping his coffee leisurely while Stevie plays with what’s left of her breakfast, a mixture of eggs and bacon scattered on her tray.

“Well, well,” Lars says, grinning over the rim of his mug. “Looks like someone had a great time.”

I groan, rubbing a hand over my face. “Please don’t start.” I feel like I’ve just been caught by my parents staying out past my curfew when there’s nothing to be ashamed of.

“What? You look happy,” he says, laughing. “Athena said you’d come back glowing.”

As if summoned, Athena appears in the hallway, tying her hair back into a ponytail. Lars grunts at it and Athena just sighs, undoing the tie. He’s told her and the rest of us many times that he prefers it out and natural. With the knowing smile on Athena’s face, she’ll just tie it back up when she gets to work. “So? Did you have fun?”

“It’s new,” I say cautiously, moving to check on Stevie. She yells ‘Daddy’ with those greasy fingers but I take her up in my arms anyway. She hugs my neck as hard as she can and then struggles to get back to her seat so she can finish breakfast. “And I really don’t want Mom to know yet.”

Athena raises an eyebrow. “Why not? You know she’d be supportive.”

“It’s just… a strange time in my life,” I admit, avoiding her gaze. “No one knows who Nakul is. He’s a contractor for Riocen. He’s also–” I cut myself off before I spill that Nakul is also my ex’s ex. “And now—”

“You’re dating him,” Lars finishes, smirking.

“Yeah, I am,” I confess, remembering the bits of last night and how I felt when he asked.

Athena doesn’t let it slide, leaning against the counter with her arms crossed. “Judd, you’re happier than I’ve seen you in a long time. You’re allowed to be happy, even if you have Stevie. Especially if you have Stevie.”

I open my mouth to argue, but Lars cuts me off. “She’s right, you know. Athena and I worked damn hard to get here. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.”

Before I can respond, Athena changes the subject with a question I’ve been dreading. “So, are you bringing him to Christmas dinner?”

I groan, dropping my head into my hands. “Why would you ask me that right now?”

“Because it’s important,” she says simply. “Just a few years ago, you asked me the same thing—if Lars was coming.”

I blink, thrown by the reminder. I had asked her that, worried that she’d pull away from the family after a rough patch. Now, the tables have turned and I’m the one trying to figure out where I fit.

“We’re not there yet,” I say finally, my voice quieter than I intended.

Athena and Lars exchange a look before Lars stands, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Whatever your happiness looks like, we’ll be right here.”

Athena nods, bending to kiss Stevie on the head. “Exactly. Whether that means an extra plate at Christmas or not.”

As they say their goodbyes, I sit there for a moment, watching Stevie happily munch on her breakfast. Christmas had slunk into the back of my mind for a moment but now it’s forefront and center again, the unspoken question hanging in the air.