Page 64 of Here's to Tomorrow

“Don’t compare me to that asshole!” Gaige says defensively.

“Yeah, that’s rude as shit, man. I am way better-looking than him,” Hudson says.

I blink rapidly. “You guys are exhausting.” And so damn entertaining, but I’m not stroking egos tonight, so I leave that part out. “All right, unless you boys need anything else, I’m going to go check on my other tables. But really, let’s pack this shit up, huh? We have a senior citizen we need to take care of.”

* * *

The ride to my apartment is quiet. We haven’t said much beyond me giving him directions. Both our elbows are resting together, barely grazing one another, on the center console of Hudson’s small SUV. Every time we hit a bump, they rub together even more. It’s strange how attractive it is, how good his arm feels rubbing against mine. His freakin’arm. Like that’s supposed to be sexy or something.

I study him as he drives. He has his left arm extended, resting easily on the steering wheel. He looks comfortable but alert.Even his driving is sexy.

He’s in his usual attire: plain shirt—this time a light green one—and jeans, an outfit that’s so simple and somehow so damn good-looking. His black hair is messy, and his face is covered in about two days’ worth of stubble. So effortless, so handsome,so fucking hot.

I think he can feel my stare because his chest starts rising and falling in fast spurts and he’s swallowed roughly ten times since I’ve looked over at him. I can see tiny beads of sweat forming on his neck.

Suddenly, his tongue glides out, wetting his bottom lip swiftly. My eyes track every second of it. I inhale sharply and notice he’s really sweating now.

He reaches out and flicks the AC on. It’s September. In Massachusetts. AC isnotneeded.

“Left or right?” he asks, his voice thicker than normal.

I swallow loudly. “Right. Then left. 180E.”

He nods once then the car grows quiet again, leaving just breathing to fill the space.

I’m not certain where this sudden sexual tension is coming from, not sure if it’s because we’re in a confined space together for the first time since our car ride after the blind date, or if it’s because of how connected we are.

Hudson parks in front of my building. We unclick our seatbelts and just sit there, staring up at the apartments.

Then we start talking at the same time.

“Do you want to come up?”

“Can I see you again?”

We laugh. He motions for me to talk first.

“Uh, would you like to come up? I mean it’s only fair that I show you my place since I’ve seen yours.”

He smiles. “I’d like that.”

We climb out of the car and Hudson follows me up the stairs. I stop at my door and look to him. He seems to read my mind.

“Rae, you’re just giving me a tour. That’s all this is. I know that. Relax. I’m not expecting anything. Promise.”

I nod and unlock my door. He trails me inside, walking so close I can feel the heat coming off him. Flipping on the light switch, I glance around the room, checking to make sure there aren’t any stray bras or underwear lying about. We may be women, who are usually way more organized than men, but we aren’t saints. We Kamden ladies are a messy duo.

“Welcome to my digs. This is the living room.” I point to the couch. “That’s where I fell in love with Will Cooper.”

“Lucky bastard,” Hudson says with that smirk of his.

“I agree.”

We spend the next few minutes walking through my small apartment. I point out but don’t show him the bedrooms; I feel like that would be too tempting right now.

He notices.

“What, not going to show me your bedroom? Afraid I’ll talk you straight into bed, Rae?” he teases.

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