“I'm trying.”
The crowd grew quiet.
Hudson shifted, seeing Grayson at the door with Juliana and another guy.
Hudson rose and walked across the silent diner. “Thanks for making it.” He shook Grayson's hand. “I didn't mention it to the guys.” He glanced behind them. “That's why they're staring at you like that.”
Grayson rubbed a hand on his head. Unlike his last movie, he had his hair neatly cut and had shaved his face completely. He was working on the British series, according to Becky. A little different character than being an assassin. “No problem. Juliana worked hard to get the highway expansion moved. It's nice to see her effort worth it.”
Hudson turned, speaking to his crew. “I asked Grayson Moore to stop by and see everyone.” He turned back to Grayson and lowered his voice. “Will you sign autographs and take pictures?”
Grayson smiled. “Of course. My agent will love to know I'm actually interacting with fans.” He glanced over his shoulder at the other guy. “Hudson, this is Trevor. He’s Addie’s brother and my agent.”
Trevor held out his hand. “I like how being Addie’s brother comes before being his agent. Nice to meet you.” He favored Addie in his coloring but was nearly as tall as Grayson. Trevor looked past him to the crowd and raised his voice. “And he will sign autographs, take pictures if you want anything to take back for yourself or your family.” Trevor laughed. “Or wives.”
The men nodded and started pulling out their phone. Hudson stepped to the side as Grayson started at one end of the table. Juliana stepped next to Trevor.
“He's so private, it's hard to see him like everyone else does.” She crossed her arms. He wished Becky looked at him with that much love. “Those were pretty flowers you brought her.”
Hudson shrugged. She deserved more than flowers. If he thought she'd accept a ring, he'd have given her that.
Juliana turned to face him. “What are your plans now that the project is over?”
Hudson chuckled. “I feel like I’ve been asked that same question at least a dozen times. I'll stay around a few days. I took some leave before I need to report to the next job.”
“Where's that?”
“Savannah.”
“What about Becky?”
Hudson smiled. Not angry. Frustrated because it seemed like everyone else would talk about his plans with Becky except Becky. “You and Cameron are alike.”
She pointed at her eyes. “It’s our green eyes.”
“No.” He nodded toward Eliza as she exited the kitchen. “She has the same eyes and hasn't bugged me for information.”
Trevor grunted. “Yeah, I can see that about Cameron. I was there for only a few hours today and twice, I wondered if he was interrogating me for some reason.”
“He has a hard time not being a cop,” Juliana said.
Hudson chuckled. “And what’s your excuse?”
Juliana crossed her arms. “Best friends look out for each other.” She fiddled with her purse strap. “Have patience with Becky. She keeps a lot locked up inside. She locks it away from herself, sometimes.”
“I think I know her well enough to know that about her.”
“I guess. I don't want her, or you, to throw this away before it has a chance. She's stubborn to the point of sabotaging a relationship.”
Grayson walked back, shaking his head at something one of the guys said. “You got quite a job managing those guys.”
Trevor scanned through his phone. “A few of them tagged you on their photos already on Twitter.”
“How can they tag me if I don’t have a Twitter account?” Grayson asked. He straightened, looking like one of the characters in the assassin movies with the way he watched Trevor. “Unlesssomeoneset one up for me.”
Trevor shrugged and turned toward the door. “You pay me to get you jobs and keep you relevant.” He leaned into the door with his back, smiling at Grayson in a taunting way that made Hudson laugh. “Just wait until I start a Pinterest account for you and start sharing recipes.”
Juliana laughed and followed Trevor to the door. “Bye, Hudson.”