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My heart squeezed hard at his sweet words, glad he liked me, but sad he wasn’t a fan of the nanny.
“Yeah? Why? She seems nice.”
He kicked up some more sand. “She is, but you’re nicer. Plus, Daddy really likes you.”
My cheeks flamed. Surely Grant hadn’t mentioned the kiss to Hudson. I wanted to mine the kid for more info, but it didn’t feel right.
“Thanks, bud. And I like your dad, too. He’s a good guy.”
Hudson smiled up at me, squeezing my hand. “Maybe you guys can get married.”
I inhaled sharply, the salt burning my lungs. “Uh,” I sputtered, stalling, not sure what to say. “That’s a big step, dude. We’re not even dating. We’re just friends.”
“Daddy doesn’t have friends. Not since Mommy left. He says it’s just me and him. Just the boys.”
“I see. Well, I wouldn’t want to mess that up,” I said, meeting his very serious five-year-old gaze.
“You wouldn’t. I need a mommy.”
My heart squeezed hard in my chest.Poor kid missed his mom.
“You already have a mommy, bud. I could never replace her.”
“Not really. I never see her. Daddy says she’s all the way across the ocean. That’s really far away, Lana.” A tear slid down his cheek.
“Ah, buddy,” I said, bending down and gathering him in my arms. “It’s okay. I’m sure she loves you very much. I’ll bet that’s hard, though.” He pressed his head against my shoulder, nodding.
“Can I tell you something?” I asked.He bobbed his head up and down. “I don’t get to see my mom, either. She lives all the way across the country, in California.”
“Oh, I know California! Daddy said we could fly there when I’m older and go to Disneyland.”
“Fun,” I said, smiling. “That sounds really great.”
“Maybe you could come with us and see your mom.”
“Maybe, Huddy, maybe. What do you say we get changed and go to the festival now, though, okay?” I asked, leaning the boogie board against the side of the house. “I’m starving and I know for a fact that the best hot dogs in the world are at the Fourth of July picnic.”
“Yummy! Will they have snow-cones, too?”
“You bet.”
“Then let’s go!”
* * *
Fourth of Julyin Starlight Bay was, in my opinion, the best holiday in town. First, the food was the bomb. Like, totally amazing. All the best American eats you could think of: hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, funnel cakes. And then there were things unique to Starlight Bay: lobster rolls, fried clams, blueberry pie. All of Main Street was decorated with red, white, and blue banners and streamers, and silver sparkly stars hung from every light post. Residents of all ages came out to celebrate on the square, music playing and families running from game to game. Like I said, the best. Period, end of story.
“Lana, where are the hot dogs?” Hudson peered around the field, trying to find the food.
“They’re usually over by Town Hall, c’mon.” I took his hand, holding on tight, since there were a lot of people milling about. We crossed the grassy square and found the hot dog truck parked directly in front of Town Hall.
“Do you want anything on it?” I asked, listing all the options.
He shook his head, a blonde lock of hair falling over his eye. “Nope. Plain.”
“Ketchup?”
“Oh yeah. Lots of ketchup.”
