Page 47 of One Quick Obsession
I smiled at Hudson, who closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
I moved my arm so I could squeeze his hand, and when he tangled his fingers in mine, I realized he was nervous.
The grumpy artist who likes to live in his cabin and not talk to anybody was nervous about this show.
Maybe I had made a mistake in not telling his entire family to arrive. But Theo and Kyler were here, so perhaps that would be enough.
I strategically took out my phone and snapped a few photos where Ellis said I could. I had my own group chat with some of the Cage women, so I would let them know what they were missing. And apologize that I hadn’t told them to begin with.
“You should take a photo of the three of them,” Luke whispered, and I turned to see Theo’s business partner standing close to me.
“Oh?” I asked and swallowed hard.
The man was dreamy, though he had nothing on Hudson. Not that I would tell anyone that.
“I’m pretty sure they don’t have a photo of just the three of them. In fact, I don’t even know if this particular group has been together without the other Cages around.”
I thought about that and sadness slipped over me. The expression must have shone on my face, because Luke reached out and squeezed my shoulder.
“I’ve always hated Theo’s dad, not that I would ever tell the man to his face. Oh wait, I did.” He winked, and I smiled.
“Really? You told him that.”
“Of course I did. He was an ass to my best friend. Though he was worse to the others. At least from what I saw. But come on, capture this moment for one of the group chats. Or at least for Hudson. I think sometimes the old man forgets that he does have family.”
I swallowed hard and snapped a few photos as the three spoke, looking so alike it was startling. I knew Hudson had a twin, and I liked Flynn, but in that moment, all three looked like full brothers, who had different personalities and individualities of their own.
What would it be like to not have known of each other’s existence until recently? The idea that these three had never been alone without the other Cages or some form of combination, astonished me. But then again since Hudson and Theo didn’t live in the same town, and Kyler was rarely in the state, it made sense.
When Hudson glared over at me, that’s when I realized Luke’s hand was still on my shoulder. He dropped it, and I raised a brow at the other man as he just smirked at me.
“Just testing the waters.”
“You better not be testing them with me. I don’t take kindly to being the center of whatever male testosterone dance you guys feel like having.”
Luke threw his head back and laughed, and then Hudson was at my side, and I couldn’t help but nearly swoon at the sight of him. There was seriously something wrong with me.
“He’s pretty amazing, good on you,” Luke said before he went over to where Theo and Kyler were speaking to one of the other artists.
I looked at Hudson, who shook his head. “Theo invited us to dinner at his restaurant after this, but I declined.”
I frowned. “I’ve always wanted to go to The Teal Door. It’s hard to get in there. I’m just glad that he has another version of it in Cage Lake, or I would never have his delicious food.”
Hudson grunted. “The man can cook I’ll give him that. But no, I have other plans for you.”
I pressed my thighs together and swallowed hard. “Oh?”
“Unless Luke has your attention.”
I narrowed my gaze at Hudson, wondering why men could get so thick in the head. “He was teasing you. And if you think I’m the type of woman who would just flitter away with another man when you brought me down to Denver? You don’t know me at all.”
“You’re right. But I want to know you.”
I wasn’t sure what else there was to say to that.
We stayed for a few more minutes, saying our goodbyes to Ellis and his spouses, as well as the Cages and Luke. I couldn’t help but notice the multiple sold stickers on every piece of art around the gallery. Including the other artists who were here for their first show.
I had seen some of the costs of those paintings, and they had made me nearly drop my drink.
