Page 5 of When We Dare

This fiery chemistry with Hudson was a sure sign I should stay far away. That way lay the abyss of emotional desperation, of falling in love too fast when I didn’t even know what love was.

When he pulled to a stop at Tish’s house, I practically ran like I was on fire to get inside and avoid him.

Chapter Four

HUDSON

That evening, I tried to keep my focus on my friends. It shouldn’t have been that challenging. Except every time I looked toward Stella and her blond curls bounced around her shoulders, and her dimples peeked out when she smiled, and her cheeks turned pink, my body felt like an engine revving.

When I left, I happened to be walking out behind Stella. I paused beside Stella’s car because I couldn’t help but check with her. “How are you feeling?”

She looked up at me, something flickering in her eyes. “You were right. Ibuprofen is enough. I’m fine.” She lifted a hand, shifting her fingers through her curls. “And, I have shorter hair now.” Her smile was sheepish.

Fuck me. The urge to kiss her was nearly strong enough that I acted on it. I barely managed to keep myself in check.

“Thank you for, uh…” She paused, her nose wrinkling adorably. “Rescuing me and taking me to the hospital.”

I had to clear my throat to speak. “Anytime. Just glad you’re okay.”

I drove away, telling myself it was best to keep my distance from Stella.

Hell, she was a lawyer. If she knew about my past, she would run for the hills.

“Hudson!” Maisie said when I came walking through the back hallway while holding a tray of coffees aloft.

“You’re just happy to see me because I’m delivering,” I teased as I carefully checked the coffees in the tray before handing her the one with her name written on it.

“Maisie’s always happy to see us,” Griffin said as he rested his elbows on the counter encircling her desk.

“So, is he Huddy Hudson or something like that in your phone?” Rex Masters teased as he straightened from behind the desk, where he was putting away some files.

“Hudsy,” Maisie said, her brown curls bouncing with her nod.

“Hudsy? Excuse me?” I prompted.

Rex chuckled. He was the police chief in Willow Brook and also Cade Masters’ father, a firefighter here. They looked remarkably alike, although Rex had more silver in his brown hair and deep laugh lines around his green eyes. “Maisie gives everyone nicknames in her contacts. I’m Rexy Rex.”

“I’m Griffy Griff,” Griffin offered with a wry grin. “The only one who gets something different is Beck. What is he again?”

“Action hero,” Maisie replied with a dimpled smile.

Beck happened to be coming out of the hallway and chuckled as he heard her reply. He leaned across the desk to give Maisie a kiss on the cheek. “I love my nickname. Iaman action hero.”

I chuckled as I rolled my eyes. “So, I’m Hudsy Hudson?”

Maisie nodded. “Can’t be inconsistent, or somebody will feel left out.”

“Sweetheart, I’m pretty sure nobody will feel left out,” Beck offered.

“I appreciate the consistency,” I teased.

Rex waggled his brows as he slipped out from behind the counter and headed toward the police side of the station.

Just then, the door to the reception area opened and we collectively glanced over. As soon as my eyes landed on the man walking in, I was so startled that my mouth dropped open.

“Hudson Fox! Holy fucking shit!” Parker Grayson exclaimed.

I met my old friend halfway across the waiting area and pulled him into a backslapping hug. When I stepped back, I asked, “Wow, what the hell are you doing here?”

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