Page 95 of Just Like That

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 cockyandlogical.”

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 ... Iwantto 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 ofyou.” 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.