Page 136 of That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss

Hudson runs a hand over the top of his head, and a wave of dark hair flops back over his forehead. “Well, Liv.” He aims a half smile at me. “This isn’t how I expected to do this, but please meet my father. Leland Blaine. Dad, this is Olivia McCoy. She’s my …” He takes a beat and ducks his head. “She’s my girlfriend.”

“Hi,” I choke out. “So nice to meet you.” I’m blushing wildly, and my stomach might swoop right out of my body, but the words are music to my ears. And I’ve never been happier to be introduced in my life.

“Ah, yes. Olivia.” Mr. Blaine gives my hand a shake. “My son told me about your accident. He was quite worried about you.”

I lift a hand to my head, face flushing. With all that’s happened since I got back to The Beachfront, I’d forgotten about the bandage. “It was a thing with a truck and a bridge. But I’ll be fine.”

Lee nods. “Glad to hear it.”

“Hudson’s told me a little about you too, sir,” I say. “But I look forward to hearing more straight from the horse’s mouth.”

He crooks a brow. “I think that can be arranged.”

Oh, man. I just called Hudson’s father a horse. Maybe I’m still groggy on pain meds.

“Not that you’re a … I’m just a … I was only …” I blow out a long breath. “What I mean is, this is an unexpected pleasure, Mr. Blaine.”

“The pleasure is all mine.” His half-bow is sweet and endearing. “I’d ask you to call me Leland, but I despise the name. So please. Call me Lee.”

Hudson puffs out an amused breath. “When did you start going by Lee?”

“Around the same time you got a girlfriend.” His lip twitches. “And I get the feeling I’m going to like her. A lot.”

“Well, I already like her too. A lot.” Hudson turns to me. “So … As you can see, my father decided to surprise me with a visit today. Unexpectedly.”

“That’s what a surprise is, son,” Lee interjects. “Unexpected.” Then he addresses me, his mouth angled into a smile. “I wanted to wish Hudson good luck on his new venture.” He glances at the grandfather clock across the lobby. “And I’ll be leaving soon anyway. I’ve got a business in Albany. I’m staying at The Century House.”

“Nice place,” I say.

Lee bobs his head. “I’m just glad I got to see the inn first. And I’m awfully happy to meet you, Olivia the girlfriend.”

“I’m glad and happy, too,” I say.

A full smile stretches across his face. “I like that Hudson’s finally putting down roots. He was always a bit of a wanderer.”

“Yeah, well.” Hudson shrugs. “I just hadn’t found what I wanted yet.” He looks at me and his eyes sparkle. My heart skips a beat. Maybe two. Okay, three. “So how are you feeling, Liv?” he asks. “Do you need some rest?”

I wrinkle my nose. “I’ve been in bed for days. Honestly, I’m just really hungry. Can we get something at the pub?”

A light flickers behind Hudson’s eyes. “If that’s what you want.”

“Anything that isn’t lime Jell-O would be amazing,” I say. Then I turn to Lee. “Do you have time to check out the pub with us before you go?”

Lee’s eyes crinkle at the corners. “I suppose I could eat,” he says. “Anything that isn’t lime Jell-O.”

“All right, Olivia the girlfriend.” Hudson reaches for my hand. “Your wish is my command. And I was planning to take you over to the pub this afternoon, anyway.”

I blink up at him. “Why?”

“You’ll see.”

We stow my bag behind the check-in desk so the three of us can head over to the pub together. But instead of taking the indoor hallway that connects the two buildings, Hudson asks us to follow him outside, then he leads us across the property. Flowers are blooming in planter boxes all along the cobblestone path, and rows of sugar maples make a shady canopy overhead.

The inn has never looked better.

“Hey, Hudson.” I hook a brow. “Any particular reason you’re taking us the long way?”

He squeezes my hand. “Yes.”

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