Page 213 of Beautiful Collide

It’s him.

His laughter.

His voice.

His strength.

He’s shifted something in me.

The ice feels smooth and steady as Hudson guides me around, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I let go.

“You’re doing great,” Hudson says, his voice filled with pride.

I smile, the edges of my fear melting away.

“I have one more thing I want to try?” he asks, his tone teasing.

I open my eyes, narrowing them at him. “Evasive much? What does that even mean?”

Before I can get an answer, he bends slightly, his hands sliding down to my legs as he lifts me effortlessly into the air.

“What the hell?” My hands fly to his shoulders.

“Relax.” He spins us in a slow circle. For a second, I feel dizzy, maybe from the movement or maybe from nerves, but the more we move, the more my mind lets go. “I’ve got you.”

I feel high off life.

The world blurs around me, the motion making me feel weightless. As my inhibitions fade away, something shifts inside me.

Peace.I feel at peace.

For the first time in years, I feel free. Free from the fear, the anxiety, from everything I have held in my chest for so long.

A few minutes later, Hudson sets me down gently, his hands lingering on my waist as I find my balance again.

My heart races, but not from fear. From hope. Maybe he’s right.I can do this.

“See?” he says, his voice soft. “Told you that you could do it.”

I look up at him.

My breath catches at the way he’s looking at me—like I’m the only thing in the world that matters.

And that’s when it hits me.

I’m falling for him.

Hard and fast and against every ounce of logic I have left.

But standing here, on this ice, in his arms, I can’t bring myself to care.

76

Molly

Cassidy:Okay, spill. Is the rumor true? Are you at a farm?

Josie:Like . . . an actual farm? With cows and chickens? And dirt? Send a mushroom emoji if you’re in trouble and need rescuing.

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