Page 85 of Pieces

“Of course,” he says, his tone easy. “I’ll take the couch in the living room. You get the bed.”

“Hudson,” I start, but he’s already holding up a hand to stop me.

“You’re my guest,” he says firmly, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Besides, I don’t think I trust myself to sleep in a bed with the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met.”

My pulse ricochets, but before I can process his words, he leans in, slipping his arm around my waist, holding me against him. His lips press to my forehead, and everything else just kind of melts away.

“I’ll be right down the hall,” he whispers against my skin. He steps back, moving to his bed and pulling back the covers as I take off my shoes. “Get some sleep.”

When I don’t move, he crosses back over in two easy steps. Without a word, he takes my hand, his palm warm, and gently tugs me toward the bed. When I sit, he guides me backward, pulling the blanket up over me, despite me still wearing my leggings and sweater, but I say nothing. I’m so tired and it seems he can tell. He looks down at me, then pushes a stray piece of hair behind my ears and smiles. “Sweet dreams, princess.”

Then he’s gone, and even still, the warmth of him sinks into my bones.

I stare up at the ceiling and let out a slow breath as I think about tonight, my dad, the baby, Hudson and what’s to come tomorrow.

“You’ve got this, Daph, you’re going to be fine,” I whisper to myself.

Chapter thirty-six

Hudson

“I’mgonnatipwateron him,” Rory tries to whisper, but she’s never been able to be quiet in her life.

“I mean, you could. I hear ice baths are all the rage these days.” Mom’s voice filters in now as I pretend to be asleep. My back aches from trying to squeeze my six-five self onto this tiny couch. It feels like I’ve been folded in half all night, but there was no way I could’ve slept next to Daphne. Not with how much I’d wanted to pull her close.

“Maybe I should go with a classic wet willy.”

“But what if you jump-scare him and he elbows you in the face, honey?”

“You guys suck at being quiet, you know,” I say without opening my eyes, my voice groggy from sleep.

Rory lets out a dramatic gasp. “Oh gross, you’re awake. I was about to call the morgue to come get you.”

I crack one eye open to find her standing at the foot of the couch, a half-empty water bottle in her hand, ready to wreak havoc. She looks far too entertained for my liking.

“Were you planning to drown me, or just ruin my morning?” I ask, sitting up and rubbing my face.

“Neither,” she says with a grin. “I was just making sure you weren’t in a coma. You’ve been passed outforever.”

Mom walks over with her coffee, sitting opposite me. “Well, now that you’re awake, there’s a very beautiful girl in the kitchen drinking orange juice.”

That makes me pause mid-yawn. “What?”

“She’s one hundred percent out of your league,” Rory laughs, but joke’s on her. I already know I’ve been punching above my weight with Daphne.

Mom smiles over her cup at me. I’ve never brought a girl home before, so this is new for all of us.

Standing up, I stretch my sore muscles. Every joint cracks as if to remind me just how bad the couch was to sleep on.

As I step inside the kitchen, she’s right there, blonde hair pulled into a ponytail, wearing my hoodie and some leggings and fluffy socks, which are mismatched, one bright pink and one with a little reindeer pattern, and it makes me want to scoop her up and snuggle her all day. Who doesn’t love a girl in mismatched fluffy socks? I mean, come on.

But instead, I go with, “Morning.”

She spins to face me, a small smile gracing her lips. “Morning.”

“I see you’ve already met Mom and Rory,” I say, reaching up into the cupboard to get a mug.

She nods. “I have. We both came downstairs at the same time this morning. I like Rory. She told me I have princess hair, and your mom seems so sweet.”

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