Love,
Hudson
Hudson? Hudson purchased my dress? I couldn’t believe it. I cry harder. No one has ever gotten me anything like this. I keep looking between the card and the dress. The tears keep coming.
“I’m hoping those are happy tears.”
I whip to see Hudson standing in my bedroom doorway. My gleefulness takes over my legs and I run to him. I leap into his arms, and he catches me easily.
“I need to buy you more presents, if this is my reward.”
“Hudson, it’s…it’s,” I can’t even speak as I cling to his neck. I sob harder.
“Hey, hey, calm down, baby. It’s fine.” He soothes me. He sets my feet back on the ground. I step back from his arms.
“Hudson, thank you. I’ll pay you back.”
“Don’t you dare. I love that you love it, and you’re welcome.” He leans down and softly kisses my lips. When he pulls away, he smiles. “How about some dinner, beautiful?” He winks and pulls me towards the kitchen.
Chapter Thirteen
Hudson
“I hope you don’t mind, but the food I brought is for me to cook,” I say as I start pulling groceries out of the bags. Ellie is sitting on the counter, peeking into some of the bags.
“Of course not. Is there anything I can help you with?”
“You just sit there and look pretty.” I grin when her cheeks turn pink.
“Do you even know where the pots and pans are?” She asks with a soft laugh.
I shake my head. “Nope, but I’ll find them.” I’m going to fix chicken with a creamy sauce, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. Easy peasy. While I get to work and Ellie watches me from her seat on the counter, I can’t help but think about her reaction to the dress and wonder what else she wants that I could give her. It wasn’t that difficult to get the dress. She had already told me where it was and how much it all cost. All I did was ask the women working there if they remember her and everything she tried on. That one woman in particular has an excellent memory with how quickly she recalled everything.
Once the food gets to cooking, Ellie hops down and walks over to me. She bumps my shoulder, looks down at the stove, and says, “Are you sure you don’t need any help? I feel like I should be helping.” Ellie glances up at me. She looks too perfect, so I lean down a little to kiss her forehead.
“Are you questioning my cooking capabilities?” I tease.
“Well, I haven’t ever seen you cook.” She smiles slightly.
“I’ve never seen you cook either.” I raise a brow at her, and she laughs.
“Good point.”
Even though I told her she didn’t have to, she reaches for a utensil and pokes at the chicken. I step to the side so we’re both able to stand in front of the stove. If she absolutely wants to help, then of course she can. We quietly cook dinner together with little touches here and there. Ellie grabs the plates while I finish up and turn everything off.
A few minutes after we’ve sat down at her table and have begun to eat, Ellie turns in her seat towards me a little.
“There’s something I want to ask you.”
“What’s that?” I ask.
“Lacey wants to meet you. She’s been bugging me about it, and I told her I would ask.”
“Um,” I start, but then stop before I answer. What if I meet her and she recognizes me? I haven’t figured out how I’m going to tell her yet and if that happens, I can’t stop her best friend from telling her.
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to. It’s fine,” Ellie adds hastily.
Here’s to hoping that since Ellie has mentioned me to her already, she doesn’t know anything either. “No, it’s okay. I’d love to meet her. Just let me know when you’re thinking, so I can make sure it’s not a work day.”