Page 179 of Bridesmaid By Chance
“Any idea when he found out?”
“Nope,” Hudson answers.
“Think he knows it’s me?”
“No goddamn idea,” Hudson mutters and then steps out and dips me. I stare up at him, and from the outside, I know it seems like we’re probably in love and having a wonderful time, but I can see the panic in his eyes.
The worry.
The fear.
When he lifts me up, I ask, “What do you want to do?”
“I…I don’t know. I need to talk to Hardy. I need to figure out what’s?—”
“Mind if I cut in?” a deep voice says, startling both of us.
Mother of God.
Now is not the time.
Hudson’s head whips around and I know the minute he sees Devin because his nostrils flare and his grip on me grows tighter.
“I do mind,” Hudson says, not a hint of sarcasm in his voice. “And I’d prefer it if you stop sniffing around my wife.”
Oh boy.
Okay.
Tension is already high over here—better not let it get the best of us and do something stupid.
“I’m not sniffing around your wife.”
“Please—”
“Hudson,” I say, placing my hand on his chest. “Let me.” Time to defuse. I turn to look at Devin and say, “Devin, it’s been nice seeing you again and I wish you well with your education and everything you plan on doing with your life, but I don’t think we should have any other interactions. You’ve made me feel uncomfortable.”
His brows turn down.
“Oh, I didn’t… I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I was just trying to catch up with an old friend.”
“I can understand that,” I say. “But?—”
“But fuck off,” Hudson adds, causing me to wince.
“I think what Hudson means to say is that, since we have an intimate history, Hudson and I would both prefer if you and I kept our distance.”
Devin looks between us and says, “I understand. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. It was not my intention.” He then looks Hudson in the eyes and adds, “You are lucky, remember that. Sloane is unique in every way. Hold on to her.”
“I intend to,” Hudson says, nearly growling. I’m surprised he doesn’t chomp after Devin as he starts to walk away. When Devin is out of earshot, Hudson says, “Come on, we need to head back to the hotel.”
The car is silent as we drive through Mayfair’s heavily trafficked streets. Hudson’s typing away on his phone, nowhere near me, clearly keeping his distance. I tell myself it’s because he’s in business mode and no other reason.
Although there’s the fear in my heart that he’s going to pull away, that his father knowing is going to make him freak out. And what if he did?
What if he did pull away?
This wasn’t supposed to be forever, right?
