Page 97 of While We Waited

I giggle. “In other words, Lana asked you to do the treasure hunt today because she knew you’d figure out how to win at the actual festival in a few weeks.”

“We get to be police at the festival,” Maya slurs.

“Poor Smuggler’s Hideaway,” Hudson mutters.

“What do you mean?” Paisley asks. “I will help direct traffic and ensure tourists don’t get lost.”

“Ha!” Chloe shouts and tips to the side. Sophia helps to prop her up but she’s not too steady on her feet either. The two end up slumped together with their arms around each other.

“I’m going to send tourists on a wild goose chase,” Chloe continues once she’s as steady as it’s possible to get after five shots of Smuggler’s Hideaway moonshine.

Hudson puts Maya’s bike in the back of his truck.

“What are you doing?” I ask when he reaches for Paisley’s bike.

“I’m not letting them bike in this condition. I’ll call Weston and Lucas and Flynn to pick them up.”

My heart warms at the gesture. He’s worried about my friends. I know my friends can be a lot, but he’s not complaining. He’s helping without being asked. Sexy mermaids in the sea, do I love this man.

“No need.” Paisley points to the police vehicle pulling to a stop behind Hudson’s truck.

“The calvary has arrived!” Chloe shouts before stumbling toward the car. Lucas barely manages to step out of the driver’s side in time to catch her before she falls.

He grins down at her. “Are you happy to see me, wildcat?”

“I’m always happy to see you. I love you.”

Happiness fills me as I watch my friend gaze up at the man she loves. I never realized how lonely and sad Chloe was until Lucas and Natalia came into her life.

I glance behind me at the man I love. Hudson is staring at the couple with a wrinkled brow. As if he’s confused. What is he confused about? Does he not understand how a man could love Chloe? Does he not understand love?

I blow out a breath before panic seizes me. Hudson didn’t say he loves me back to me when I confessed my love to him but so what? He obviously cares for me. Doesn’t he?

“Do you want me to bring their bikes around later?” Hudson asks Lucas.

“Nah. Flynn is on his way with his truck.”

Sophia’s nose wrinkles. “Why is Flynn coming to pick up our bikes? I can bike home just fine.”

“Except you’re sprawled on the road with your legs in the air.” I motion to her legs.

“Huh. I wondered why everything was blue.” She rolls over and pushes herself into a seating position.

“Sunshine!” Hudson calls.

I smile at him. “What?”

He taps his watch. “We don’t want to be late.”

“Don’t be late for a very important date!” Maya shouts.

“I’ve got them,” Lucas says before herding my friends to the side of the road where they can’t jump in front of us – it wouldn’t be the first time – and get themselves hurt.

Hudson helps me into the passenger seat of his truck and runs around to the driver’s seat.

“Are you in a hurry?”

He shrugs. “I want to find out if we’re having a girl or a boy.”

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