“Well, I can’t wait to meet him soon.” Her smile is wide, but just when I’m about to ask her what the heck she’s talking about, Mira whimpers.
“Hold that thought, we’re not done here.” I point at Monica before getting up to walk over to the stroller. Mira looks at me through droopy eyelids, one of her little hands rubbing her eye. Her fine, blonde hair stands up in every possible direction, a sight that still makes me smile every single day. “Hi, sweetie pie. Did Aunt Mo wake you up?”
Monica huffs behind me as I bend down to get closer to Mira. She stretches her hands up in the air before reaching for me. I unbuckle her so I can get her out, and she immediately puts her head on my shoulder. My eyes close instinctively, cherishing these small moments with her. Rubbing her back for a moment, I walk over to sit back down in the chair. It usually takes her a few minutes to fully wake up, but then she’s ready to go.
My gaze zooms back in on Monica. “What exactly did you mean when you said you can’t wait to meet him soon?”
She clasps her hands together in her lap. “Well, the doctors said I’ll be out for quite a while, and my dance group already knows about that. Obviously, they weren’t happy about the news, but it’s not like anyone can change what happened.”
“I’m sorry, Mo. I know this must be hard for you.” I try to keep my tone as gentle as possible.
Shrugging her shoulders, she waves me off. “It’s okay. It could’ve been a lot worse, so I’m happy there’s a possibility of recovery, at least—even though it’s gonna be a pain to get there. Literally. But anyway. You know I love my parents, but my mom’s already driving me crazy just visiting. There’s no way I’m gonna stay at their place for longer than I have to. And since I don’t have a place in the city anymore, I thought I could come see you guys for a bit. Only if that’s okay with you, of course. The doctors said they’d like me to start in the rehabilitation facility here, but that I should be okay to continue my physical therapy anywhere, as long as I stick to it.”
My smile is so big, I’m afraid my face will crack at any moment. “Are you serious right now?”
Monica nods, and I want to jump up and run over to her, but refrain from doing that with Mira in my arms. Instead, I squeal a little, hoping my voice portrays all the enthusiasm I feel. “Best news ever. Of course we’d love to have you. You don’t even have to ask that. I’m so excited.”
“Me too. I was ready for some time off anyway, even though I wasn’t planning on spending it this way. At least I’ll get to be with you guys. Plus, I’ve heard you’ve got some nice eye candy in town.” She sits up further in her white hospital bed, wiggling her eyebrows.
I let out a loud sigh. “You’re gonna be after him, aren’t you?”
“Not if you snatch him first.” She winks at me and giggles. “I might still have to squeeze that fine ass, though, if I get a chance.”
“Goodness. Please don’t. I actually live there now and have to show my face around town.”
She throws up her hands in exasperation. “Come on, you can’t tell me you haven’t at least thought about it. I mean, that man is pretty much perfection. Have you actually looked at him? Like, really looked at him?”
“Of course I have, I’m not blind. There’s no denying he’s freaking gorgeous. Actually, he might be the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen in my life. If I could get away with it, I’d just stare at him all day long. There, are you happy now?” I look out the hospital window at the sunny New York sky, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed by my admission. It’s so unlike me to blurt out things like that.
“Very.” Her one-word answer makes me look back at her. “Does that mean you’ll go on a date with him?”
“I don’t know, Mo. Maybe, possibly. He might not even ask again.” A little ache settles in my chest at the very real possibility.
Monica’s studying me, silently urging me to take the chance, to venture out of my comfort zone and take a risk. “Somehow, I have a feeling he’s going to ask again.”
I can’t even blame her for being pushy, because if the roles were reversed, I’d most likely do the same. That’s what best friends are for, to sometimes help each other make uncomfortable decisions when they think it’s for the best.
The realization hits me that I’m actually contemplating this crazy idea, but perhaps she’s right. Maybe it is time for me to move on with my life, and try and get over my past in every possible way.
When I meet her gaze again, a few moments later, her eyes go wide in excitement. She starts clapping and cheering before I even get the next words out of my mouth.
“Yes, if he asks again, I will.”
Chapter Eight
The California sun is blindingly bright when I step out of the airport terminal. I push the stroller and suitcase to the side, deciding to give my eyes a moment to adjust since it’s probably safer than walking straight into someone, or worse, traffic. I still manage to almost trip over my own two feet, as a set of strong hands grab my waist tightly from behind, saving me from eating the ground.
“Easy there.” A shiver runs down my spine at the low voice whispering in my ear as he lets me go, and I immediately miss his touch.
I’m not sure my heart knows what’s going on, but it seems to think we’re in the middle of running a marathon.
Betrayed by my own body. That could certainly be the new theme song of my life, at least whenever a certain rockstar is around.
“Hi, Hudson. Thanks for catching me.” My voice sounds hoarse and my cheeks heat up. From the sound of his chuckle, he’s still right behind me, and I’m not sure I’m capable of facing him this close without going into cardiac arrest.
“No problem, happy to help.”
While I’m still debating if I should turn around or not, he takes the decision out of my hand by walking around me. When he’s standing in front of me, I’m confused by the serious expression on his face, instead of the friendly and welcoming one I expected. His baseball cap sits low on his forehead, and dark sunglasses hide his eyes. I’m not sure that’s actually providing him with any sort of anonymity, but it seems to be better than nothing.
His chin lifts a couple inches, nodding toward the crowd of people walking in front of the terminal. “Who was that?”
“Who?” His question takes me by surprise, as I’m still busy re-memorizing his face, like I could’ve forgotten it in the short time we were gone. It’s still nice to stare at, though.
His eyebrows are knitted together tightly, and I’m not sure if he’s looking at me or something over my shoulder since I can’t see his eyes. “The guy who waved at you when you left the building.”
Oh, that guy. I already forgot all about him. “That was Martin. We met him on the flight. Thankfully. He helped us with our luggage and the stroller. You wouldn’t believe how hard it can be to navigate a stroller while dealing with all the luggage too.” I blow a strand of hair out of my face, slowly starting to get a little hot.
“Well, that was nice of him.” His lips press into a thin line before he shifts his focus to the stroller. The canopy is pulled down as far as it goes, covering most of Mira’s body. “Is she sleeping?” He peeks through the clear cutout in the top before turning back to me.
Nodding, I let out a big breath. “Yes, finally. She fought it the whole flight, started crying when we started our descent, and then finally passed out ten seconds before we landed. She has the worst timing, but it’s all over now.” I grab the water bottle from the stroller and take a big gulp.
“Poor thing, she must be exhausted.” He looks at Mira one more time before holding out his hand to me.
I stare at it for a moment, my breath catching in my throat. He can’t possibly—
“Let me carry your suitcase.”
The sound that comes out of my mouth is a mix of nervous laughter and a cough. Heat spreads up my throat and onto my cheeks, and I can only hope the combination of the bright sun blasting down on us and Hudson’s dark sunglasses make i
t impossible for him to notice my embarrassment. “Of course. Thank you.”
He nods and leads us through the airport labyrinth to the correct parking lot. His huge, dark SUV stands out like a sore thumb, but I appreciate the spacious inside once we’ve got everything stowed away. By some miracle, Mira didn’t wake up and is safely seated in her car seat in the back. I hope she stays asleep on the hour-long drive back home.
We hit the freeway a few minutes later, and Hudson glances at me for a moment before turning on the cruise control. “So, how’s your friend doing? Did the transfer to the rehab facility this morning go well?”
“Uh-huh. From what she’s texted me, she’s already made her nurse blush a few times, and her physical therapist is a charmer, so it sounds like she’s doing great.”
Hudson chuckles, one of his hands lightly tapping on his knee. “She sounds like fun.”
“She’s the best. She actually said she’s going to come out to visit us in a few weeks when she gets the okay to travel. Her fracture was a bit more complex, so it’ll take a while to heal.”
“That must be hard for her. I can’t imagine if something similar would happen to my voice. It’s a scary thought.” He’s quiet for a moment, probably lost in thought. “I’m glad she seems to be in good spirits, though, that counts for half of it. And I’m sure it’ll be great for you guys to spend some time together.”
“Yes! Everyone in Brooksville has been so welcoming to me, but nothing replaces a best friend. I’m used to not seeing her a lot, but I still miss her. Monica’s been so busy touring the world for the last few years, she usually only makes it home every few months, for two or three days. Thank goodness for social media and video chats.” I turn to him. “But you know, more than anyone, what that’s like.”
He nods, adjusting his sunglasses. “It’s the most incredible experience to see so many beautiful places and to meet so many wonderful people from around the world. Yet, at the same time, it gets tiring after a while to be cramped up in a bus, or to live in one generic hotel suite after the other. Your values, and what’s important in life, changes a lot over time.”
“How has it changed your life?” I study him, unable to hold back the question, even though I feel like I might be invading his privacy. On the other side, I know he wouldn’t answer my question if he didn’t want to. Hudson doesn’t seem like a pushover.
“I think what changed the most was the urge for adventure. In the beginning, the excitement to get out into the world and see every last bit of it was exhilarating. Add the people you meet along the way to the mix, and it makes it almost addicting. As cliché as it sounds, you’re young, wild, and free.”
He stops talking, and I wonder if he’s contemplating how much he should share with me. We’ve definitely gotten to know each other better this last week, but when it comes down to it, we’re still strangers for the most part—even though it doesn’t feel that way. I also wonder if he was talking about women when he mentioned the people he met along the way. I mean, that’s what the whole rockstar title comes with, right? Lots and lots of women.
Changing lanes smoothly, he clears his throat. “Once some sort of routine settles in, life and priorities shift around. Playing your music in front of a crowd is still the best thing ever, but suddenly, you crave waking up at home in your own bed every day, maybe even with the same person next to you. Variety all of a sudden doesn’t sound as much fun anymore, but uniformity does.” His voice is barely a whisper when he finishes the sentence, and a hint of melancholy lingers in the air.
Just like that, the atmosphere has changed. If the constant glances Hudson keeps sending my way are any indication, he feels it too. I’m not sure if he regrets sharing all of that with me, so I try to think of a way to steer the conversation back to neutral territory.
Giving him a small smile, I focus on the part of the conversation that seems the safest and least sad. “Are you trying to tell me that the famous Hudson Mitchell is trying to settle down?”
Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say after all, because his expression turns even more somber. “Is that so hard to imagine?”
Way to go, Charlie.
“What? No. No! That’s not at all what I meant. I’m sorry. I guess I thought you meant it as a joke.”
The car fills with silence again, but this time, it’s a rather uncomfortable one. My nerves kick in, and I start to throw out the first question that comes to mind. “So, why isn’t there a Mrs. Mitchell? I’m sure you aren’t lacking prospects.”
Seriously, Charlie? Seems like the filter between your brain and mouth is malfunctioning once again.
He turns on the blinker and takes the next exit off the freeway, stopping at a traffic light at the bottom of the ramp. His gaze is on me, but I avoid it, being a total chicken. I can’t blame him if he’s getting annoyed with me either, because even I’m shocked I’ve been asking him all these personal questions. Monica wouldn’t hesitate for a second to dive into his life like she’s known him forever, but I, on the other hand, don’t normally act this way.
Until now, I guess.
“I apologize. Again. It’s really none of my business, so just forget I asked.” I can’t stop the all-telling flush from creeping up my neck, and I’m grateful Hudson’s paying attention to the road and not me.
“No, it’s okay.” Hudson clears his throat, and after a quick glance, I’m glad to see he doesn’t look mad. “I know this will sound awkward, but if I’m honest, I’ve actually wondered the same.” He shrugs, like he didn’t just make a statement that tugged at my heartstrings.
“You have? Really?” My voice sounds squeaky, not hiding the disbelief and shock.
“Most people think it’s easy to meet someone special when you’re in my position, like you just snap your fingers. From my experience, it’s actually the opposite.”
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t especially curious now. I’m leaning toward him in my seat, just enough to put my elbow on the armrest between us, propping my chin up on my hand. “How so?”
Gripping the steering wheel with both hands, Hudson’s knuckles are almost white from the pressure he puts on them, the muscles in his forearms rigid and strung tight. “Quite frankly, it’s hard to tell who’s interested in me as a person, or just the famous rockstar. Some people just want to be seen with me, have their picture taken, or maybe even snag a gig somewhere in the entertainment industry. There are a lot of leeches out there, I had to learn that the hard way.”
I’m stunned for a moment. “That doesn’t sound like fun. How old were you when you started your career?”
“I had just turned eighteen, and was only out of high school for a few months when I went on my first tour.” A frown is deeply etched into his forehead, his lips pressed together in a tight line.
The sudden urge to make him feel better stuns me for a moment. I want to reach out to reassure him, to make him feel better, but I’m not sure he wants that sort of comfort, or if it’s even my place to give it to him.
“I was such a kid, young and impressionable, believing everything people told me. I’ve definitely learned my lesson since then.” He grits his teeth, and I’m torn between wanting to go back in time to take my question back and wanting to find out more about what happened to him.
He lets out a big breath. “Sorry. Let’s talk about something else, okay?”
I feel like someone just dangled a treat in front of my nose, only to snatch it away the last second. I want to ask a million more questions, but instead, I do the right thing and nod. “Of course.”
“Thank you.” He opens and closes his hands a few times, clearly trying to shake off his frustration. “So, Grandma told me you’re going to make the birthday cake and some other delicious treats for my mom’s birthday next week?”
The birthday party for Hannah’s daughter. Hudson’s mom. I feel like a total idiot, but I didn’t even think about the connection between them. Actually, I haven’t even thought about the party and the bi
rthday cake since Hannah asked me a couple weeks ago. Who would’ve thought this turned into such a family affair?
Well, I’m definitely not going to tell him that realization just made me a nervous wreck.
I know most people would say it’s just a cake, but it’s more to me. I try to get every cake perfect for the individual recipient. I want it to match. I want them to think back to whatever big day they celebrated and remember how much they loved my cake. It’s silly, but that’s how it’s always felt to me.
Since I can’t exactly say this kind of stuff to Hudson—who would undoubtedly think I’m as nutty as a fruitcake—I plaster on a big smile for him. “Yeah, I’m excited. This will be the first big cake I’m making here, so it’ll be perfect to test the oven in the bakery for a bigger crowd.”
His eyes crinkle at the sides when he chuckles. “That makes sense. I suck at baking, as you know, so I can’t even imagine creating anything that big. Mom likes to be social, so I’m sure it’s gonna be a good-sized party. The more people are there, the more she can meddle too. I wouldn’t be surprised if she already has a few possible prospects for me invited too.”
I look at him, trying to figure out if he’s serious or not. “She does that?”
He shrugs his shoulders, scratching the back of his neck. “Wouldn’t be the first time. Though, that was a while ago, so maybe she’s given up.”
“Huh.” Thoughts race through my mind at Hudson being set up with different women at the upcoming party.
Why does that thought make my stomach churn? It’s not like it has anything to do with me.
The SUV slows down when Hudson turns into the driveway of his property. “Maybe you could come with me, Charlie?”
“To the party?”
He nods, his voice hopeful. “Yes. The rest of my family has been dying to meet you, and I’d love it if you were there with me.”
I suddenly feel a little lightheaded because that sounds an awful lot like a date.
As if Hudson read my mind, he turns my way and pushes his sunglasses up and into his hair. His beautiful eyes focus on me, his gaze drawing me in. “It can be a date if you want it to be, or not. Your choice. You know what I want.”
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