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His gaze comes back to mine.

“If you want me there, I'll be there.”

I smile. “But you told me you don't care about traveling. You don't like flying, and you hate crowds.”

Jude shrugs again, although this time he takes a moment before answering.

“He was my brother, and you…” He swallows, and something passes over his face as he searches for the words.

“If you want me there, I'm there.”

My heart squeezes.

“Grumpy?”

“Yeah?”

“I want my best friend there with me.”

For a second, something shifts in his eyes. It's there and gone so quickly that I don't know what it was, but then he smiles, and I throw my arms around him.

“Thank you.”

The words come out choked as I hold him, thinking about what he's done for me. This must have cost him, and I only told him once that I couldn't afford to go yet.

Once.

And he remembered.

Of course he did.

He's Jude.

My best friend.

“I will pay you back one day, though!” I say as I finally let go of him.

He shakes his head. “Not happening.”

“We'll see.”

“Nope.”

I roll my eyes, and we walk back inside, where Penny and Grace are the first to look up as we take our seats.

Mia leans forward eagerly. “Uncle Jude, what did you get her?”

Every head at the table turns our way, and I look at Jude with a smile.

“You explain this now, Grumpy.”

He gives me a look, but I just smile sweetly at him.

“Chiara already knows this, but…” He picks up his bottle of water and brings it to his mouth. “Taking both to Italy.”

Then he drinks.

For a second, the entire table goes silent.