17. Judd

Judd

After lunch, I find myself standing outside Jess’ office, debating whether or not to go in. Her door is open just enough for me to hear her chatting with Athena, who must’ve stopped by for a quick visit. It’s only a matter of time before Jess hears me and Nakul started dating, so I might as well get it over with.

I knock lightly, pushing the door open. Jess glances up from her desk, a sly smile forming on her face when she sees me. Athena turns in her chair, raising an eyebrow.

“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Smiles,” Jess teases. “How was your lunch?”

I should’ve known they’d ask. I also should have known that by working with Nakul and Athena's close relationship with Jess, they would have already known about our change in relationship status. My face warms instantly and I glance down at the floor, trying to will away the blush creeping up my neck. “It was fine,” I mumble, stepping further into the office.

“Fine?” Athena asks, smirking. “You’re blushing like a teenager. Spill .”

I sigh, knowing there’s no way out of this. “We’re officially dating but you already knew that,” I push out. “And he’s going to come hang out with us this afternoon at the park.”

Jess claps her hands together, her smile widening. “Oh, you’ve got it bad if you’re already at the ‘meet my kid’ stage.”

“It’s not like that,” I protest, though even I know it’s a weak argument. “He’s already met her. Our first meeting, I had Stevie with me. Besides, I want this to work. Even as new as it is.”

Athena leans back in her chair, her arms crossed. “You look happy, Judd. That’s all that matters.”

Jess nods, but her expression turns curious. “So, how did you two meet up, anyway? You never said.”

I hesitate, my mind flashing back to that first encounter with Nakul. It wasn’t exactly the meet-cute most people imagine, but I know they’ll find out eventually. Taking a deep breath, I sit down across from Jessica and Athena.

“Because of Ava,” I say finally.

Both of them straighten, their smiles fading into confusion.

“What do you mean?” Jess asks cautiously.

“Nakul reached out to me a week or so ago, right before he started working here,” I explain, running a hand through my hair. “We met, and he… he gave me the missing child support payments that Ava owed. She’d been taking the money for herself instead of sending it for Stevie.”

Athena’s eyes widen, her mouth falling open slightly. “Wait, what? Was Nakul dating her?”

“Yeah,” I say, nodding. “He didn’t have to bring me the money, but he did. That’s how we first connected.”

“That’s… wow,” Jess says, leaning back in her chair. “And now you’re dating?”

“I know it’s weird,” I admit, “But the feelings are genuine. It’s not just about Ava anymore. It hasn’t been for a while.”

Athena narrows her eyes slightly, wondering how true that is. I respect my sisters for being so protective over me but they don’t have to be. “Have you talked to Ava recently?”

I shake my head firmly. “Not since the court hearing last year. I don’t plan to, either.”

Jess exhales slowly, nodding. “Just be careful, Judd. This is a lot to navigate, especially with Stevie in the picture.”

“I know,” I say softly. “But this feels… right. Nakul feels right.”

***

The park is quiet when I pull into the lot, the chill of the late afternoon settling over the town. Stevie chatters excitedly from the back seat, swinging her legs as I unbuckle her from her car seat. “Hey, sweetie. I know it’s usually just the two of us but Nakul is going to hang with us today.”

Her eyes widen almost comically. “Na-ool? The man with the kind eyes!” Her shout rings in my ears as she excitedly points at the playground.

Sure enough, I see him standing near the swings, his hands shoved into his pockets. He looks slightly awkward, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as he watches the kids playing nearby.

“Na-ool!” Stevie yells, bolting toward him before I can stop her.

I watch as she wraps her tiny arms around his leg, her enthusiasm breaking through his hesitation. His face lights up with a wide grin and he crouches down to her level.

“Hey, Stevie,” he says warmly. “You ready to play?”

She grabs his hand without hesitation, dragging him toward the slides. I follow at a slower pace, watching as Nakul lets Stevie take the lead, his laughter ringing out as she orders him to climb up the wrong side.

“You’re doing it wrong!” Stevie declares, her tiny hands on her hips.

“Am I?” Nakul says, grinning up at her. “Guess I need better instructions.”

Her giggles fill the air and I can’t help but laugh too. Watching them together stirs something deep in my chest—a mixture of happiness and a pang of guilt. Nakul is so good with her, so genuine and patient. And I know how much he wanted children of his own, even though he can’t have them.

Stevie all but forgets about me as she drags Nakul around the playground, forcing him to climb up several structures so that she can explore. It’s usually me doing this alone and I find that I enjoy watching her smile just as much as I enjoy making her smile. She starts yelling ‘Daddy look!’ as Nakul helps her onto the slide for the umpteenth time.

His large mass contrasts the size of the playground, his wide shoulders barely fitting through the tunnels and other structures that Stevie demands he goes through. I rescue him, tapping in as Stevie grumbles about wanting Na-ool but forgets about him the moment I help her onto the slide. She’s so easily excited, something I love about my baby girl.

After an hour, Stevie hasn’t lost an ounce of energy but her rosy cheeks tell me she’s getting just a little too cold. She runs over to me, her face smacking into my knee. “Again, again!” She whines.

“How about marshmallows?”

Her little eyebrows nearly rise clean off her face before a squeal tears from her throat. “Na-ool is coming?”

Nakul chuckles, finding humor in the way that she says his name. “Absolutely, Stevie. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Stevie grabs my hand and then reaches for Nakul, the man having to bend a little to truly hold it. Still, she’s happier than ever, trying to pull us down the block to her favorite café. It doesn’t work of course and I sweep her into my arms, knowing that she’ll sleep well tonight. She might even pass out at the café with all the excitement from this afternoon.

Nakul takes my free hand, pulling it to rest against his lips as he smiles at me. The short walk is comfortable and the warm air as we step into the café is more than welcome. “Grab a table, Judd. I’ll get some hot chocolate and marshmallows on the side, I’m guessing?” He asks, a hint of amusement following his words. He’s remembering the first time we met, Stevie stuffing marshmallow goo into her mouth.

“Yeah, a few of the snowmen ones.” I find a table toward the back, helping Stevie out of her coat.

When he comes back with two steaming mugs and a smaller mug for Stevie, he sets everything down with a theatrical flourish. “Hot chocolate is served.”

“What do we say, Stevie?”

Stevie giggles, reaching for her cup. “Thank you!”

“You’re very welcome,” he says, ruffling her hair.

As we settle in, I feel Nakul’s hand brush mine under the table. When I glance at him, he leans over and presses a soft kiss to my cheek. My face warms, but I can’t stop the smile spreading across my lips. Stevie is too occupied with her hot chocolate to notice that we’re lost in our own little world.