I lift her hand to my lips and kiss the back of her fingers. “That’s what I tried to plan for tonight.”
She gazes up at me, love filling her eyes so full, she takes my breath away. “I know.”
Kade approaches next, along with Amanda and Shannon.
Amanda hands me a gift bag with her shop’s logo on it. “Congrats, Nick. We got you something to mark the occasion.”
Inside is a small trophy with a bronzed lifeguard tube and the words ‘World's Best Lifeguard’ on the base. “Thanks, guys. I’ll hide this from Zane and Graham. They’re still a little touchy about it.”
Hannah pokes me in the side. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
Kade pulls me into a bro hug. “Congrats, man. You earned it.”
Shannon smiles at me but keeps looking over at Graham. He makes eye contact with her, but drops his gaze like an awkward teenager. I can’t tell if there’s something between them or if they’ve just noticed each other, but I’m looking forward to ribbing him about it later.
Once the coast is clear, Hannah grabs my hand and tugs me over to a food table filled with all kinds of finger foods and seafood, including a large platter of those hushpuppies with a bowl of the sauce in the middle. But before I can even think to grab one, she taps my shoulder and points toward two people standing further down by the buffet.
It’s my parents. They’re actually here. And they’re smiling at me.
When I reach them, I notice the massive white sheet cake that’s the centerpiece of the long food table. ‘Congratulations, Nick’ is scrawled across the top in dark turquoise icing along with matching waves around the edges. A red cross with the words ‘Team Lifeguard’—like my tattoo—fills the upper left corner. And there’s a cute little turtle on the bottom right side.
The cake is epic. But my parents…here? At this party to congratulate me for passing my recertification? I think my brain just exploded.
“Mom? Dad?” I probably sound like a dork, but I don’t know what else to say. Honestly, I can’t believe they’re here. I waspretty worn out from the day of testing. Maybe I’m still passed out in bed, dreaming this entire thing.
“Congratulations, Nicholas.” Instead of her usual air kisses, my mother hugs me—full-onhugs me. I don’t recall her doing that since I was a teenager, but back then, I thought I’d outgrown them.
I return her embrace, realizing I’m never too old for my mother’s hugs. Age and wisdom, I guess.
She beams at me. “Your father and I are so proud of you.”
I’m stunned, floored, flabbergasted, and every other synonym for surprised out there. No warnings about how dangerous my career choice is or how I’m wasting my potential? “Wow, um, thanks.”
My father nods and rests his hand on my shoulder. “Great job, son.”
His words are like an electric shock to my system. I haven’t heard my father say this since I was in law school for that brief period. And honestly, never expected to hear it again. But there’s something deeper sitting there in his eyes.
Understanding, maybe?
I feel Hannah’s presence before I see her as she presses in from behind and slips her hand into mine. The musky floral scent of her perfume washes over me, and the warmth of her fingers entwined with my own brings a wave of peace that settles everything inside of me.
“Nick, the surprise party was your parents’ idea.” Her eyes search my face as I stare down into hers.
I snap my attention back to my folks. “Really?”
Smiling, they glance at each other in some kind of silent communication. My mother nods at him. My father clears his throat as he faces me. “Your mother and I released your trust fund.”
I didn’t think they could surprise me even more. Clearly, I was mistaken. “Thank you. The Turtle Patrol program is really important to our beaches.”
My father slips his hands into his trouser pockets. “And so is your job, son. After reading about your rescues, we understand that now. We’re sorry we didn’t understand the impact of your work better.”
My mother smiles. “Not just for the cameras, Nicholas. We asked Debra to distribute the entire fund to you immediately.”
I stutter my words. “You didn’t have to do that.”
My father is grinning, too. “We wanted to. You’ve proven yourself more than capable to not only run your life but to contribute to the community. Thanks to Hannah, we see that now.”
My mother loops her arm through my father’s and presses her face against his shoulder. They both stare at me as if I just took my first step. And perhaps, in a way, I have. That’s what this all feels like—passing my recertification, falling in love with Hannah, and…having my parents’ support—something I’d longed for but quit hoping could be a possibility.
