Page 40 of Beautiful Collide

I can’t have him seeing me like this.

With a quick pass through the aisles, I find what I’m looking for—a travel toothbrush with toothpaste.

Then I head to the bathroom. It looks different than it did last night, with only a phone flashlight as a light.

It’s dirty, with a film of dust caked on the cracked mirror. The sink isn’t much better. It’s barely functioning, so I bypass water when I brush my teeth and just spit the toothpaste out, vowing to find a bottle of water later.

Washing my hands, I finally study my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks look flushed, and my lips puffy.

Damn. I look well fucked.

Stop.

No thoughts like that, or I’ll be beet red by the time he sees me.

Finally, I head back out and find Hudson up. He’s standing near the counter, his back to me, holding his phone to his ear.

I freeze just out of sight, not wanting to interrupt him.

“Yeah, I’m good,” he says, laughing lightly. “Don’t worry about me. It was just a boring night in some random hotel. Totally fine.”

Hotel?

At his words, my heart tightens in my chest.

“You always worry too much,” he continues. Now, his voice lowers into a playful tone, dripping with affection. “I promise I’m fine. I’ll see you soon, okay? Love you, too.”

My mouth drops open as my pulse thunders in my veins.

Ground, open up, and kill me now.

How stupid can I be?

So stupid because, apparently, this asshole has a girlfriend.

But, of course, he does.

Why wouldn’t he?

He sucks, after all. I knew this from the moment we met, and I caught him staring at my ass.

And you’re the idiot who fell for his act.

Hook, line, and sinker.

I will myself to move, but I’m frozen in place as Hudson hangs up and slides the phone back into his pocket.

A few seconds pass before he turns around.

It feels like I’m punched in the stomach when our gazes meet, and his damn lips curve up into an easy grin.

Bastard.

Again, as I said before . . . Hudson Wilde sucks.

“You’re ready?” He picks up his discarded jacket from the tiles. “We should get out of here.”

I don’t answer.

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