Just Like That (The Kings)

“You did what?” Surely he wasn’t serious.

JP glanced at me as he filled his mug with strong black coffee. His face twisted in that pissy way that always made me want to smile. “What? I made a few calls so Teddy has viable options.”

I blinked at him. “So you’re telling me that you’re giving a seven-year-old the option between sleepovers and Lego camp or Italy?”

He took a sip and shrugged. “Essentially. But ultimately, I’ll leave the decision up to you.”

My brain couldn’t keep up and the room started to spin. “Italy.”

“That’s the plan.” He walked past and dropped a kiss on my head like he hadn’t just told me that we could be leaving for Italy in two days. “But first we’ll go to the Fireside Flannel Festival. I didn’t want to miss showing Teddy the carnival.”

He looked at me as a sheepish smile crossed his face. “It’s kitschy, but fun.”

My heart stuttered as I paced in the kitchen. “JP, I can’t just pack up and go to Italy.” My scowl deepened as I chewed the inside of my lip. “I don’t know how I feel about leaving town when Teddy is just starting school in a new place. I have Teddy to think about, a social media account that I have sorely neglected as of late, and a skoolie that is the center of the whole thing!”

JP’s eyes were soft and understanding. “I thought about that, too. I can call the whole thing off, but the reality of the situation is he’s excited for school, surrounded by family, and it would only be a few days for an amazing trip.” JP’s smile widened and I could see the excited little boy beneath his typically stoic demeanor.

“Teddy is more than welcome to come if he wants to. School doesn’t start until after Labor Day and missing a few days of second grade isn’t going to kill anyone. Your social media account is already dedicated to travel.” He spread his arms wide. “And you’ll be traveling again.” His shoulder lifted. “Sadly, the skoolie has to stay here, but I doubt your followers are going to mind. The Amalfi Coast is beautiful this time of year.”

My eyes narrowed at him. “It’s really annoying when you’re cocky and logical.”

He nodded once and popped a kiss on my mouth as he rounded the kitchen island. “Noted.”

I stared at the wood flooring and tried to wrap my head around what was happening. “Italy. Italy? Holy shit.”

“Unless you’d rather go to Paris?” He paused, and a crease deepened on his forehead.

A cackling laugh burst from me. “You’re ridiculous.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “No. I’m rich.”

I preened and blinked innocently in his direction. “And so modest,” I teased.

He scoffed. “Fuck modesty. I can afford to take my girl on a long weekend trip to one of my favorite places in the world.” He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “Give me one good reason we shouldn’t go and I’ll cancel the whole thing.”

I crossed my arms to pout. “Because I’m not a gold digger.”

Unfazed, he simply looked at me. “Never thought you were. Tell you what, you can buy me a sticker at the airport if it makes you feel better.”

I rolled my eyes. “Please. You aren’t a sticker person.”

He grinned. “You don’t know that. Maybe I have a whole collection you don’t know about yet.”

My eyes narrowed to slits. “Do you?”

“No.” He chuckled and moved toward me, setting his mug on the island and placing his hands on my shoulders. “Look . . . I want to do this for you. For us. I need a break from this town and everything going on with my father too. All you have to do is pack your bags, sit back, and let me take care of you. You are not taking advantage of me. If anything . . . when I get my way, I’ll be the one taking advantage of you.” He dipped low to nip at the skin of my neck and I yelped. “So we agree?”

I couldn’t concentrate on anything with the way his mouth was leaving a trail of hot, wet kisses up my neck. “Okay,” I breathed as I leaned into his kiss.

“That’s my good girl.” He captured my chin between his fingers as my insides went liquid. “Now, let’s go get our kid and see if he feels up for a trip.”

I stared at his face, wondering how I could have ever thought he was a callous bastard.

“So how long is the flight?” Teddy held JP’s hand and stared up at him as they wove through the crowd at the Fireside Flannel Festival.

They wore coordinating outfits—JP in denim and a T-shirt that showed off his physique with a blue buffalo check flannel on top. Teddy was also in jeans, but he wore a crisp white shirt, buttoned up to the top. JP had found a bow tie that matched his flannel exactly, and Teddy was thrilled. Together they made the cutest little duo.

I had been told, more than once, that at the Fireside Flannel Festival, a flannel shirt wasn’t optional . . . it was a dress code. I’d dug one out from the back of JP’s closet, and while I wished it could have been blue to match them, it smelled like JP, and that was even better.

“It’s about ten hours, give or take. We’d have a layover along the way.” I loved that JP always spoke to Teddy like he was a little adult.

“Would I have to miss school?” he asked.

“A couple of days, yes.”

Teddy nodded as he considered his options and continued walking hand in hand with JP. “I’ll think about it and let you know.”

“Fair enough.” JP chuckled and looked out into the crowd.

A sea of plaid flowed out before us as we made our way through town and toward the beach. Storefronts offered discounts, hung plaid banners, and set up small tables on the sidewalks to catch passersby on their walk toward the festival. Chalkboard signs pointing people toward the waterfront were strewn throughout the town, and far in the distance I could see tents and general commotion as the festival got underway.

We moved through the crowd until we reached the edge of the beach, and Teddy’s excitement grew with each step. To the right, more tents with snacks, crafters, food, and beer and wine tastings dotted the small parking lot.

I spotted Charles Attwater. His table was lined up with women clamoring to taste his wine and soak up his attention. He seemed to be doing just fine. As we passed, his gaze lifted and stopped on us. JP’s eyes narrowed, and I watched as Charles visibly gulped, diverting his attention back to the blonde in front of him.

Up ahead, the pier jutted into Lake Michigan, with the lighthouse at the end. To the left, along the stretch of sandy beach, were stacks of wood, dotted along the shoreline.

Royal was already claiming a circle of logs and organizing them into a seating arrangement. When JP caught his eye, he grinned and jogged over to us. “Hey, fam.”

My heart rolled at the casual way he greeted us.

JP shook his hand and laughed. “What the fuck are you wearing?”

Royal looked down as though he was surprised at what he had on. His flannel shirt appeared homemade and was a patchwork of various gaudy mismatched plaids that were haphazardly sewn together. His shirtsleeves were rolled, putting his extensive ink on display.

“What?” he asked.

JP laughed and shook his head. “Nothing, man.”

Royal looked down at Teddy. “Nice bow tie, kid. I wish I would have thought of that.”

Teddy beamed and stood taller as JP asked, “Is Veda here?”

Royal grinned. “Of course. She’s meeting up with the hens for a drink while I set up for the fire.” He looked back down at Teddy. “Hey, Big Dog. Come by after you check out the rides. I’ll save a s’more for you and tell you about the time your dad puked on the Tilt-A-Whirl.”

Teddy buzzed with excitement. “Thanks, Uncle Royal!”

“I did not puke.” JP looked at me with a serious face. “I didn’t.”

My lips pressed together to hide my laugh. “Okay.”

After saying goodbye to Royal, we started heading toward the carnival. Crafters and exhibitors were selling everything from Sullivan Farms jam to handmade quilts. One man had an ornate display of antiques for sale.

I stepped up to run my fingers along a brass candlestick. A trill of excited mischief danced through me. “Excuse me, sir?”

The man turned and smiled.

“Do you by chance have any haunted amulets?” I turned toward a stunned and confused JP. “Don’t worry. I’m getting the spell reversed.”

A wicked grin lifted the corner of his mouth as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder and playfully tugged me away from the table. “You’re such a brat,” he whispered in my ear and tingles danced along my spine.

Messing with JP brought out a playful side of him that I craved. With his arm still around my shoulder, we walked through the crowd, stopping at any booths that looked interesting. JP bought a few jars of jam from Duke and we’d gotten a beer from the tent set up for Abel’s Brewery.

Teddy tried a hot apple cider and an apple doughnut. His cheeks were coated with cinnamon sugar. I had bent down to help wipe his face when I spotted JP’s aunt Bug making a beeline toward us.

“Oh, thank goodness. I’m glad you’re finally here.” She smiled and winked at Teddy and then looked directly at me. “We desperately need your help.”

Confused, I looked around and pressed a hand to my chest. “Me? Okay . . .”

Bug swatted the air between us. “Oh, well, it’s always something. Mabel was supposed to hire a fortune teller for the fair, but now Ms. Tiny has her granny panties in a bunch because she swears she recognized the woman as—and I quote—the charlatan from Chicago who scammed her out of talking to her late husband Slingshot. Madame Claire overheard, and the two got into a tizzy about the fact Tiny’s first husband had come through the reading, and that was not her fault. Ms. Tiny ran her mouth, and now Madame Claire is refusing to tap into the other side.”

My eyes went wide. “That’s . . . a lot.”

Bug released a frustrated exhale. “You have no idea. Can you sit at the booth for a little bit while I try to calm Madame Claire down? You can use some of those magic cards of yours and entertain the locals. An hour, tops.”

I glanced at JP. “I mean, I do have my tarot deck in my bag . . . I guess I could help.”

JP grinned and shrugged. “Sounds like your special talents are needed.”

“Perfect.” Bug put her arm around my shoulder and tried to guide me toward the row of white tents on the north side of the beach. “This way. Let’s go. The fools are waiting.”

I looked back at JP for help and he only laughed. “I got this.” JP scooped up Teddy and hoisted him onto his shoulders.

Cue ovary explosion.

He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Have fun. We’ll see you in an hour.”

Teddy giggled as they wound through the crowd, and I was left staring at their backs and wondering how we’d gotten so lucky.