Page 65 of Baking With A Rockstar

I’m the worst friend ever.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. Here I am, totally absorbed in my life while you’re struggling to get from point A to B.” Throwing the blanket back, I jump off the bed to help her.

She throws her arms around me when I reach her—something rather uncharacteristic for her. I’m usually the emotional and touchy-feely one out of the two of us, not her.

Letting go rather quickly, I help her walk back to the couch where she sits down with a huff. “It’s really good to see you, C.”

“Same, Mo. Always. You know I’ve missed you.” I touch her good knee for a moment before pointing at her other leg. “You’re okay now? I thought you wouldn’t be here until next week.”

“As good as it can be, I suppose. The plan was to fly over next week, but since I was ready to strangle my mom, I thought it might be safer for everyone to leave earlier. So,voilà.”

Monica and her mom have always been an odd couple. They love each other dearly, but after spending a few days or weeks together, they end up at each other’s throats over the smallest things. I’m actually surprised she made it this long. “I’m so sorry, even though I’m glad you’re here.”

For the slightest moment, I feel a hint of sadness rush through me over having to share my time with Hudson with Mo now too, especially since we just started to get closer and explore whatever it is between us.

But that’s not fair to my best friend either. I’m being ridiculous.

“You’re thinking about Mr. Hottie, aren’t you?” She doesn’t wait for an answer and just continues to talk. “I really can’t blame you. We obviously both know he’s beyond delicious. And oh boy, I saw him with Mira in the kitchen earlier. Holy guacamole. Now I totally get what you were telling me about those two. I really do. Everything you said about them having this crazy bond when they’re together is true. He’s amazing with her, and it really is quite fascinating to watch.”

She sighs loudly. “He’s also even better-looking in real life, you know? I don’t understand how you haven’t jumped his bones yet, I really don’t.” She studies me, her eyes going wide. “Orhaveyou?”

“Not everything’s about sex, Mo.” I chuckle when she sticks her tongue out at me.

“I know that. But it’s different when you have an exceptional piece of man standing right in front of you, even more so when he also seems like a total sweetheart. And then there’s obviously the fact that you’ve been sleeping in his bed.” She points a finger at the bed behind me, and I can’t fault her logical assumption of things happening between those soft sheets.

“Oh, stop it already.” Now it’s my time to sigh. “But gosh, yes. He’s so sweet. What am I going to do with him?”

She chuckles. “Well, you know my answer to that question. Stop worrying so much about everything. He’s obviously completely crazy about you, so I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Just follow your heart.”

I stare at her, my mouth open.

“What?”

Shaking my head, I give her a small smile. “Nothing. That was actually quite insightful and sensitive of you. I’m impressed and a bit shocked, to be honest.”

She winks at me. “I have my moments.”

“Apparently, you do.”

My mind is still stuck on her words, the wheels in my head spinning around and around, trying to make sense of everything.

Is Hudson really that crazy about me?

And if he is, what exactly does he want from me?

She nudges my arm to get my attention. “He genuinely seems like a good guy. Gabe said that too.”

“You’ve already talked to Gabe about Hudson and me? When did all of that happen? You just got here.” My gut clenches at the thought of them discussing us.

“When he picked me up from the airport early this morning, of course.” The grin on her face looks like it’s almost painful, it’s that big. “And maybe we talked on the phone for the past few weeks too.”

“You didwhat?” Shaking my head, I chuckle at her expression. “Ugh. On second thought, never mind. I don’t want to know.”

“Oh, come on. Don’t be such a spoilsport. You’re not the only one who can have secrets involving the Mitchell brothers.”

“No, no, no.” I get up and hold out my hands. “I need some coffee first before I can deal with you.”

Monica laughs, knowing exactly how right I am. She’s dealt with me for years, fully aware there are two sides of me.

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