Page 61 of With This Ring

Shane’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Together we do just fine.”

Hudson rubbed the bridge of his nose. He wasn’t impressed at all. Shane wasn’t prepared for this. He just had to figure out how to derail this mess before it happened.

“You and Layla are too young and immature for marriage.”

Shane’s expression turned menacing. Though several moments ticked by, they remained silent, at a stalemate. This was not going the way Hudson had planned at all.

“Anything else you want to ask me, or is this interrogation over?” Shane seethed. He pulled his keys out of his pocket, and they jangled in his hand.

“Yes—”

But Shane was already walking away.

Jerk.Hudson climbed into his SUV and slammed the door. Now both Layla and Shane weren’t talking to him. How could he make them see reason when they were both so stubborn?

Fine. If they wanted to ruin their lives, he would let them.

***

Hudson glanced over at his aunt beside him in his SUV the following evening while driving her to her weekly bingo game. “What do you really think about Layla’s engagement?”

“Well, if that doesn’t sound like a loaded question, then I don’t know what does,” his aunt quipped.

“I had a talk with Shane last night, and he’s not ready for this. I don’t think he can make Layla happy.”

“Don’t you think your sister needs to decide who and what can make her happy?”

Hudson shook his head. His aunt was missing his point.

When he slowed to a stop at a red light, Aunt Trudy leaned over and patted his arm. “Hudson, I know Dakota broke your heart—”

“This isn’t about me and Dakota. It’s about Layla making a huge mistake. I’m just being practical. Layla and Shane are still kids.”

“They’readults, Hudson.” Trudy tilted her head and studied him. “I know you think you’re supposed to be her father, but you’re not and that was never your job. She might marry Shane and realize she made a terrible mistake. If so, then she’ll work through it.”

He motored through the intersection and down Goffle Road. “But divorce is not something to be taken lightly, Aunt Trudy. Some of my friends have been through it, and it’s an emotional and financial nightmare.”

Aunt Trudy nodded. “I understand that, and if she needs our help, we’ll be there for her. But have you considered that she might also be wildly happy and build a wonderful life with Shane?”

Hudson scowled.

“Happiness is possible,” his aunt sang. “And it’s time you found some for yourself.”

A country music song, road noise, and the hum of the engine filled the vehicle as they drove in silence for a few moments.

Hudson gave his aunt a sideways glance. “Are Layla and I the reason you never married? Were we a hindrance to your happiness?”

“No, sweetheart. You and Laylaaremy happiness.”

“What about love?” he asked. “Did you ever want to get married?”

A wistful expression tinged his aunt’s face. “I missed my chance at love, and sometimes I wonder what could have been.”

“What do you mean?” As far as Hudson knew, his aunt had never dated.

“His name was Eddie. He was handsome—tall like you but with blond hair and gray eyes. We met when we were teenagers and dated for years.” She sighed and glanced out the windshield as if her past love were standing there. “He proposed to me, but my father didn’t approve.”

“Why?”

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