Page 99 of Baking With A Rockstar

He looks tired, utterly exhausted to the ninth. “Hey.”

Something about him is off.

He looks reserved and withdrawn.

“Hey. You okay?”

All I get is a curt nod. “Yeah. Just didn’t sleep well.” We stare at each other for a moment before he takes a step around me. “Are you okay to leave in a couple hours?”

My stomach churns at his odd behavior. The loss of affection is so distinct, I suddenly feel slightly nauseous. “Sure. Just let me get ready quickly, and by the time I’m done, I’m sure Mira’s going to be awake too.”

“Okay.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket and walks toward the couch. “I’ll get us a car and let the flight crew know we’ll be ready to leave soon.”

After watching his retreating back for a few moments, I slip into the bathroom and close the door behind me—my eyes burning hot with unshed tears, and my chest feeling heavy and tight.

* * *

The next few hours are a total blur as I try my hardest to stay as present as I can be, for Mira’s benefit. Even though Hudson sits next to me in the car to the airport and the entire plane ride, he isn’treallythere.

We’re back at the house before I know it, and I try to keep it together as I unpack our suitcase while keeping Mira entertained too. Thankfully, she’s happy as a clam playing in the suitcase for now, as I put everything away.

“There are my girls.” Hannah’s voice makes me both happy and sad—happy because not seeing her for the whole weekend felt like forever and sad because it’s not Hudson.

I guess I was really hoping he’d come around and tell me what on earth is going on with him.

Hannah comes over to where I sit on the floor next to the suitcase and crouches down too. “Did you guys have fun? I just talked to Hudson in his studio for a moment, but he wasn’t very talkative.”

“The wedding was absolutely beautiful.” There, that’s the truth. For some reason, I just can’t bring myself to tell her about the other things that happened, even though I’m sure she knows something is up. The fake smile on my face probably wouldn’t fool anyone.

Mira is climbing out of the suitcase, squealing as she makes her way over to Hannah. The two reunite like they haven’t seen each other in years, and it’s adorable to watch.

Hannah really has become not only a stand-in grandmother but also a stand-in great-grandmother—the very best at both.

Pulling Mira into her arms, she looks over at me. “Want me to take her for a walk, or does she need to go down soon?”

Checking the time on my phone, I shake my head. “She slept on the plane, so she still has a few more hours. I’m sure she’d love to get out for a bit.”

“Perfect.” She gets up with Mira and waves at me. “Say, ‘Bye-bye, Mommy, we’ll see you in a little bit.’” Mira swings her little hand around like it’s made of gummy and gives me a big, toothy grin with drool running down her chin.

Smiling at the sight, I wave back. “Bye, girls. Have fun.”

Before they leave the room, Hannah turns one more time. “Did I mention Hudson is in his studio?” She gives me one more pointed look, and then they’re gone around the corner.

Hannah, subtle as always.

My shoulders sag, and I let out a loud sigh.

Looks like I have a rockstar to find.

When I make it down to the studio, though, it’s empty. Disappointment courses through me, but I try to not let it get to me too much. I’m already anxious and exhausted enough from the last twenty-four hours.

There’s nothing wrong. Everything’s going to be okay.

I repeat the words over and over in my head as I walk across the room to sit down on one of the black leather couches. A piece of paper falls to the floor, and I pick it up absentmindedly. I’m about to set it back down on the cushion next to me when my eyes land on the two words at the top of the page.

Charlie’s Song.

My hand flies to my mouth as I debate for less than two seconds if I should read it or not, because who am I kidding? There’s no way I can put down a piece of paper with my name on it without taking a peek.

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