Page 50 of Engaging with Her Enemy

“I talked to you yesterday before the plane took off.” Juliana closed the door and followed her into the kitchen. “What could have possibly happened?”

Leaning her hip against the counter, Becky crossed her arms, refusing to chicken out. This was Juliana. Her best friend. “I didn't know how to tell you on the phone. I'm seeing Hudson.”

“Yeah.” She set her purse down. “Cameron told me you were dating, which is strange seeing how much you hated him when he left.”

“How much did Cameron tell you?”

Juliana's eyes widened. “Obviously not enough. Why? What am I missing?”

“We're liketogether,together.”

Juliana's mouth formed into a little “o” as she nodded. “Dating with benefits. You don't seem happy about it.”

Happy? Yes. Very. Except it scared the hell out of her.

“What's wrong?” Juliana sat down at the kitchen table. “You're doing that nose wrinkle thing.”

Becky sat down beside her. “I'm in love with him.”

“Oh. Nowthatis a new development. You’ve never admitted that about any guy. What are you going to do about it?”

She’d asked herself that same question four dozen times. Only one answer kept popping into her mind. “Nothing.”

“Nothing? You'll let him leave town without telling him.” Juliana shook her head. “Becky…”

Becky narrowed her eyes. “What makes you think I haven't told him?”

Juliana patted her hand. “Because you told me like it was a confession at church. It should be a happy time. Falling in love is amazing.”

“Says the woman who fell in love with a movie star.”

“And it scared me. I had to take a big leap of faith to leave with him.”

Becky put a hand to her forehead and leaned back, pretending to faint, and dropping into a deep, exaggerated, Southern accent. “Oh, my. A gorgeous movie star rode into town on a motorcycle and swept me off my feet, but I declare, it scared me to leave behind my overbearing father and spinster best friend to see the world.” She sat up, widening her eyes. “And to think, I have to make a living writing freelance articles about the exotic locations I visit.”

“Hush up.” Juliana gave her a light shove. “It was scary. I didn't know if Grayson would fall out of love with me and then where would I be?”

“Probably in the same place you would have been if you hadn't gone. Living in Statem and running your family's newspaper.”

Juliana twirled a strand of her hair. “You're probably right. But the same could be true for you and Hudson. If you don't take a chance and try to keep seeing him, what are you out? Nothing. You’ll still own the diner and wouldn’t have to wonder about what might have happened.”

She didn’t think her heart and her pride would get over Hudson that easily.

“I'm not done talking about this, but I need to run to the restroom.” She pointed at Becky's fridge. “I expect a bottle of wine open when I come back. I bet the answer to all your problems is at the bottom of that bottle.”

“You've gotten so high maintenance. I blame Grayson.” Becky walked to her fridge, pulling out the bottle she'd bought for Juliana's visit. She caught herself smiling as she uncorked it. Having her best friend back, even if only for a week, made everything seem brighter in her life. Easier. Because no matter what, it would be okay with Juliana here.

If only Juliana knew everything. About college. About her struggles.

The door opened. Hudson walked in, carrying a bouquet of flowers.

She almost dropped the wine glass.

He smiled, a little unsure of himself, resembling the young high school kid from before. Her heart fluttered. Weak knees and fluttering hearts. She'd need some smelling salts soon.

“You're home early.” She didn't catch her phrase before it left her lips. Home. She considered it his home? Her home. That must be what she meant.

His smiled widened.

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