Page 23 of Can't Get Over You
“Oh, I don’t normally dress like this.” Finlay tried for a smile. “Today was a special occasion.”
The woman laughed. “I can see that.”
“Jeans would be perfect.” Finlay’s grin was like sunshine, warming his heart. “Thank you so much.”
As the woman set off through the crowded room, Finlay hesitated to follow. “Where will you be?” she asked Jude.
“We’re going in the same direction,” Jordan said. “We’ll be right behind you.”
The four of them headed off, he and his old friend lagging behind on their way to the living quarters.
“So what’s up?” Jordan asked. “You steal a bride?”
“Friend from high school.” He gave chin nods to familiar faces but noticed a lot of people he didn’t recognize. “Club’s grown a lot.”
“What’s it been since we graduated, twelve years? Long time to be away.”
True.
“You probably weren’t paying much attention at Marco’s funeral, but most of these guys were there.” Jordan’s features tightened. “That was a rough day.”
As they turned down the hallway, Jude couldn’t help watching the sway of Finlay’s hips and the fall of her long, dark hair. He wasn’t so sure about sending her off with a woman he didn’t know. “Is she gonna be all right?”
“Oh, yeah. Marta’s the best. Ugly divorce. Her ex made sure she didn’t get a thing. She was a mess when she showed up here, but now, she’s like the club mom.”
Jude never understood men like Marta’s ex.No matter what happens between a couple, assets should be divided equally.Just split everything and move on. Before the women dipped into a room, Jude called, “I’ll be in here, okay?”
Finlay gave him a relieved smile and nodded.
“Not sure where the kid is, but his pops is here.” Jordan stopped outside a closed door and knocked.
“Yeah?” An older man cleared his throat. “Come on in.”
“You good?” his friend asked.
“Yeah. Appreciate it.”
“You got it,” Jordan said before taking off.
Inside the small room, Jude took in a black dresser, an unmade bed, and a window that looked out to the backyard.
In a small recliner, an older man sat, watching kids play outside. The man planted his hands on the armrests and tried to get up, but pain twisted his features, and he hissed.
“Sit.” In three strides, Jude stood before him and held out a hand. “Jude McKenna.”
The man was unshaven with a shock of gray hair and watery eyes. “Carlo Rossi.” He smiled. “You came.”
“Of course.” They’d only had a brief conversation on Jude’s way to the airport, so he hoped to get a clearer picture of the kid’s situation. “I wasn’t expecting to get a call from Marco’s kid.”
“No, I’m sure you weren’t. And I’m sorry about that. The little runt took my phone.” His words might’ve sounded harsh, but the affection in his eyes made it clear how much he cared about his grandson. “I’m sorry he made you come all the way out here.”
“He said you’re sick, and he needs to get to school. What can I do to help?”
He chuckled. “It’s preschool. He doesn’t have to go. I only put him in it because I’ve been having trouble with my hips. Gonna need both replaced.” Again, he tried to get up, but pain dug deep lines around his eyes and tightened his jaw. He took a moment to pull himself together before speaking again. “But you know what it’s like here. I got plenty of people who can pitch in.”
“Where’s his mother?”
Damion shook his head. “Right from the start, she couldn’t handle it. My grandson raised him solo. He did a good job, too.”
