Page 47 of Must Have Been Love

“Hey,” Jesse says, walking into the bar, the first to arrive for girls’ night. “I thought there was a party. There isn’t even any music.”

I smile at him, because he has this stupid calming effect on people. I know that my family considers me laid back, but Jesse is something else. He walks over to the jukebox and presses the button to flick through the tracks before he chooses something.

The low sounds of “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder throbs out of the speaker, as he smiles at me and starts to sashay across the main floor.

“I love Stevie,” I say.

“Yeah.” He gives me a soft look. “Wayne did, too.”

The tightness in my chest reminds me that there’s still so much more to learn about my dad.

“Do you know what song was my dad’s favorite?” I ask Jesse, this need taking over me.

““Go Your Own Way”. Fleetwood Mac.” His eyes catch mine.

That’s one of my favorites too. I love that I feel so connected to him right now.

“Would you like a drink?” I ask, walking behind the bar.

“Beer would be good.”

I open the refrigerator, where I’ve stored some beers and ready made cocktails because until the refurb is done I can’t place a big order from the brewery on the mainland. Popping two bottles open, I pass one to Jesse before clinking it with mine.

“Hey hey!” Autumn sings out as she walks into the bar with Francie. “No drinking without me.”

She looks amazing in a silver sequined dress. Francie is in a slightly less over-the-top but still sparkly gold shell top and black skirt as they both rush over to hug us.

I look down at my own outfit – a cut-out-lace white top and a silky long flowing skirt, cinched at the waist with a thick leather belt. “I should have worn something more appropriate,” I murmur.

Jesse chuckles. “You and me both.” He gestures at the black, overwashed Nirvana t-shirt and jeans he’s wearing.

As Autumn releases me I spot a pair of dark, brooding eyes over her shoulder.

And immediately my heart starts to race.

He’s in casual clothes. A pair of jeans that seem to hug his muscled thighs like they’re in love with them. And a gray Henley that’s unbuttoned at the neck to reveal a dash of hair on his chest.

I run my tongue over my dry lips, trying to calm my nerves.

“Are you staying for a drink?” I ask him, my voice low and thick.

Hudson has dark shadows under his eyes like he hasn’t slept well for days. The corner of his lip pulls up at my question.

“Of course not. It’s girls’ night. He’s just dropping us off while Parker and West look after Ayda for a minute,” Autumn says, shooting him a playful look. You can tell from her eyes how much she loves her big brother. “You can go now.”

“Jesse’s staying,” I say. “He’s not a girl.” Why am I so desperate to keep him here?

“I do need to get back for Ayda,” he murmurs, his gaze still locked on mine. God, I’m stupidly attracted to him.

And then I make the mistake of glancing down at his hand. Yes, that one. The talented one that along with his even more talented lips made me forget who I was for a few minutes.

It’s curled into a fist. It makes my heart race.

“Can I have a word?” I ask him.

“Ooh, has he done something wrong?” Autumn asks. “Hudson, you promised to be nice.”

“Not at all,” I say, my voice low. “It’s just something about the licence. Go ahead and help yourself to cocktails,” I say, pointing at the refrigerator. Jesse’s at the jukebox, lining the next song up as I walk past him toward Hudson, then out of the door that leads onto the veranda overlooking the ocean.

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