Page 92 of Promise Me

I huff out a weird noise. “It was easy to do while watching you. I liked it.”

“Oh, was it now?”

“Mm-hmm.”

He opens my door, and I climb into his truck. I reach for the handle so that I can close it, but he stops me.

“I guess that’s just one more thing we have in common.” He reaches into the truck, his hand cupping the side of my face. “I like watching you too.”

I bite my lip. Although my body is internally doing the happy dance because I love everything he just said, the urge to crack a stalker joke is strong.

He must sense my thoughts because he laughs, backs up, and closes the door.

I think it’s time to face reality.

I’m crazy about Hudson Asher, and there is no going back.

“We should stopto get burgers before we go home,” I say as we pull into Lovers a little before six in the evening.

Even as I say it, it hits me how, despite our past and despite the feelings that are sitting as a steady ember between us, Hudson and I have created this life together in the past few weeks. I didn’t know what to expect that day I showed up at his door and asked for his help, but it wasn’t this. It wasn’t waking up excited to see the way he’s sprawled on the couch with a blanket half draped over his lower body, or cooking dinner in the evenings knowing he will be there and I’m not eating alone, or picking out water drink flavors at the store based on what he would like—and it sure wasn’t driving home from an afternoon of watching him coach a group of high school kids and planning what we are going to grab for dinner and spend a night in, just the two of us.

I grin, but then look out the passenger window of his truck and try to hide my smile with my fingers.

I’m almost embarrassed at how giddy this man makes me feel. I mean, I’ve been excited to be in relationships before, but none of them have ever felt like this. I’m always on edge, in a good way, waiting for the next thing to happen. I can’t wait to see him when we are apart, and when we are together, I’m always thinking of ways to make that time last longer. Which is absolutely silly, considering we’re currently living together. And we aren’t even actually dating. We’re two people who have kissed a couple of times and who have done some extra sexy things in his apartment.

Fuck, it was hot.

“I actually had another idea for dinner,” Hudson’s smooth voice fills the truck.

I twist to face him and let my hand drop to my lap.

“What did you have in mind?”

“Well”—he clears his throat—“I knew today was going to be … aday. I also knew that I wouldn't have even put a day like this in my path if it hadn't been for you, so I wanted a way to say thank you.”

“O-kay.” I glance out the front window as he pulls into his normal spot behind the bar. “A burger would have been fine. I don’t need anything crazy.”

“Ohhhh,” he draws out the word, “but you deserve so much more than a burger.” He nods to the building. “Come on. Let’s go inside.”

I’m opening the door and jumping out before he can reach my side. There’s no hiding the smile on my face.

I’m not usually a surprise kind of person, but with Hudson, I can’t wait to see what he has planned for me.

Oh god, what if he kisses me again? Or what if he plans to do more?

Did I shave today? Shit. I knew we were going to the rink when I got ready this morning, so I didn’t really plan on wearing anything but layers.

The warmth of his fingers as he laces them through mine is like a beacon to the pit of my stomach. I’ve been around him dozens of times, but right now feels ten times more thrilling.

Just when I think he’s going to open the door for the stairs that lead to his apartment, he opens the door to the bar’s kitchen.

Eating at the bar? That’s his surprise?

I really need to teach this man how it’s done.

I’ll have time.

The first thing I notice when we get inside is that there are zero people in the kitchen.

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