Page 2 of That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss

“I hope Mac can work some magic.” Tess lets out a long sigh. “Not only for the Johnsons, but for the whole town. If The Beachfront fails, that would be the end of an era in Abieville.”

“True.” Darby drops her brow, but keeps her eyes locked on me. “That still doesn’t explain why you’ve been shamelessly flirting with Hudson.”

“I repeat. Not flirting.”

Darby’s lip quirks. “So you’re not attracted to him at all?”

“I didn’t say that.” I hazard a peek across the bar at the subject of our conversation. Hudson’s standing with the groomsmen, all six foot whatever of him, with floppy dark hair and fall-for-me eyes. He’s got the sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up, baring two forearms corded with muscles. “Of course he’s attractive.” Heat rises along my throat. “In an obvious sort of way.”

Tess grins. “You mean in a marry me and have my babies sort of way.”

“That’s the problem.” My mouth slips sideways. “I don’t intend to be anyone’s wife or mother. And you both know that.”

What I neglect to say out loud is the other problem. This week, I discovered Hudson Blaine is not only funny and intelligent, he’s a down-to-earth guy whose line of vision stays above my neck. Men like that—who aren’t related to me—can be in short supply.

“You could change your mind someday.” Tess swipes the air as if my decision to remain single is just a mosquito. “So go kiss Hudson tonight for fun. Then, when we’re back here for Christmas, you and he might?—”

“Hudson will be long gone by Christmas.” I tuck a loose curl behind my ear. “He’s moving to the city.”

Darby inclines her head. “Albany?”

“Manhattan.”

Darby nods like she’s impressed. “That’s a big change from Abieville.”

“He’s going to work for his father now that The Beachfront’s closing down.” Even as I say this, my cheeks heat up. It’s not like I care where Hudson lives. Or where he works. Or what makes the veins on his forearms so sexy.

“So.” Tess takes a small sip of her drink. “What does Hudson’s father do?”

“I don’t know,” I answer quickly, downplaying the information I actually gleaned. “I think he’s in investment banking or something. I know Hudson’s got his MBA. But I wasn’t paying attention when he told me about his plans because, as I said before, I wasn’t flirting.”

Darby guffaws. “Tess dared you to kiss the guy. Not propose to him.”

Tess hoists an eyebrow. “If you’re never going to see Hudson again, that’s even more reason to do it. Besides, we’re daring you, so you can’t be held responsible for any ridiculosity that ensues.”

“Fine.” I square my shoulders and will myself not to look at the men by the bar again. I’ll show my sisters what little impact Hudson Blaine has on me. “What do I get for kissing him?”

“This isn’t a bet, Liv,” Darby squawks. “It’s a dare.”

“And if you refuse, you’re stuck with the truth,” Tess points out, like I might’ve forgotten how truth or dare works. “Those are the rules.” She hitches her shoulders as if she’s apologizing, but make no mistake, Tess loves this kind of stuff. She once dared me to stick two tampons up my nostrils, then Darby took a picture and threatened to put it in the school yearbook if I ever used her flatiron again.

Sisters.

“In that case”—I plant my palms flat on the pub table—“I choose truth.”

Darby grins at Tess. “Conference time.” The two of them put their heads together, then proceed to whisper and snicker.

“Don’t take all night.” I fake a big stretch and yawn. “I’m totally wiped out from the wedding. Being the favorite bridesmaid is exhausting.”

Once my sisters reach a decision, Darby turns to face me with a lopsided grin. Something twinges in my stomach. Call it triplet intuition, but I’ve got a feeling I’m not going to like what comes next.

“Okay. Our question is”—Darby splays her hands—“What’s your biggest fear?”

“Snakes?” Tess chimes in. “Spiders? Pimples? Tampons in your nose?”

Laughter springs up between them.

Ah. They’re just being silly. They’ve got no idea what the real answer does to my insides. But my biggest fear isn’t something I talk about with anyone.

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