She goes on to tell me about her job and all the contacts that she’s making. She’s really moving up in her company, and I’m happy for her. She has that outgoing personality that companies love, and she deserves it from all her hard work.
Then she goes into detail about this guy she is seeing. It doesn’t surprise me that Lacey is seeing someone. I’ve never known for her to be in a serious relationship, but she’s always got someone around.
Lacey tells me that she has to go, because she needs to be in Seattle for a meeting tomorrow. I give her a hug and tell her to be careful. She tells me to keep her updated on Hudson and to find out his first name. I laugh at her.
I lock up the house and take a hot shower. When I crawl in bed, I turn on the TV. All that was on is the news, and they’re talking sports, so I shut it off. I normally don’t watch it at all. It’s always some crappy sporting event or a bad sitcom. Instead, I pick up my book that I’m reading from the nightstand and see my phone is blinking.
Hudson: So sorry I didn’t text you yesterday. It was a long night at work. I just fell asleep when I got in.
Maybe Lacey was right. He must work an odd shift. I guess everyone can’t work eight to five. Whatever the case might be, I’m thrilled that he texted me back.
Me: No biggie, I understand.
Hudson: How was your day?
Me: Good. My boss told me I would be in Portland more for work
Hudson: That is good for me then, I get to see you more!
My heart skips at the thought of seeing him.
Hudson: Will you be in town Thursday?
Thursday was two days away and by all of Jeffrey’s emails I got today, I knew that I would be there.
Me: I believe I will be
Hudson: How about lunch? It’s supposed to be a nice spring day. We could have a picnic in the park?
A picnic? In a park? I’m not sure. That seems intimate.
Hudson: It’s a public park & you can bring the pepper spray ;)
I laugh out loud at his comment. It’s like he knew my hesitation.
Me: around 1?
Hudson: Perfect. Center Park @ 1. I’ll bring the food, you grab the drinks.
I stare at his text for several moments. I’m going on a date. A real date.
Chapter Five
Hudson
Tomorrow is my date with Ellie and today, we’re at our second away game of the week. I have a few minutes to spare, so I was going to send her a text. But then I realized that I couldn’t remember what her voice sounded like. It’s something small, but right this moment, it’s bugging the hell out of me. That is how I ended up standing in the hallway with the phone pressed to my ear, listening to it ring and ring.
It actually rang only twice. Third time’s the charm because I hear a small, almost uncertain voice answer.
“Hudson?”
“Hey, I hope it’s okay that I called,” I say, looking over my shoulder at the sound of a couple of the guys messing around in the hallway. “I might not be able to chat later and I wanted to actually talk to you for a few minutes.”
“Oh.” Ellie is quiet for a moment before adding, “Yeah, of course that’s okay. How are you today?”
“Eh, pretty good. You?”
“It was a day.”