Page 47 of Here's to Tomorrow

I shrug. “Guess we’re even on that lack-of-filter thing.”

“For some reason, I highly doubt that.”

“You’re probably right.” Face, meet throw pillow. “Okay, I deserved that.”

“So much.” She grows quiet, staring down at the pillow now in her lap. I study her, watching as she picks at the fuzzies. God, she’s so beautiful. And smart, and funny. She’s…

Rae jerks her head up with a grin. “Have any ice cream?”

“Of course, but first, on the count of three, say your favorite flavor of ice cream.”

“One…”

“Two…” I count. Something hits me. “Pause. No proposing this time if our favorites are the same, because I’m positive I would empty my bank account and fly us to Vegas in a heartbeat if you did.”

“Deal,” she agrees. “Three!”

“Cookies and cream!” we yell simultaneously.

“Holy shit!” she shouts, clamping her hand over her mouth.

“Don’t do it! Don’t you dare do it! I will kick you out of this apartment with no ice cream!” I threaten.

Her hand is still clamped over her mouth and she’s shaking her head back and forth like she can’t believe this is happening. I know how she’s feeling, because I can barely believe it myself.

I lean in closely and slowly peel her hand away from her face.

“Do. Not. Do. It,” I whisper soft and slow, keeping my eyes locked with hers. “I’m going to take your hand and we’re going to go get some ice cream now. You’re not going to propose and I’m not going to propose, because I have this sneaking suspicion neither one of us can afford that Vegas vacay right now.”

I stand and hold my hand out. Rae looks up at me with big eyes and places her hand in mine. It’s so small compared to mine, so cute and feminine.

I could get used to holding this hand.

We make our way to the tiny kitchen where Rae posts up beside the fridge. I grab two bowls and some spoons and begin scooping out the ice cream.

“So, Hudson…” Rae starts.

I look up and smirk at her. “So, Rae.”

She tries mimicking my smirk and fails miserably, but it’s still cute as hell. “Tell me about yourself.”

“Because that’s not completely cliché.”

She rolls her eyes. “Fine. Tell me three things then: your favorite thing about yourself, what your favorite memory is from your childhood, and if you could meet anyone—living, dead, or fictional—who it would be. Go.”

I’m a little thrown by the questions. They weren’t exactly what I was expecting, because if I had just told her about myself, I wouldn’t have touched on any of that. Granted, they aren’t completely out there, but the answers to the questions have potential to be…revealing.

I finish scooping out the ice cream and we sit down at the small two-person kitchen table I have. Rae’s waiting patiently, taking small bites of her ice cream. I take one and let it melt in my mouth, thinking on how to answer.

“The first answer is easy. I have a killer set of abs.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt that,” she says, her cheeks turning a violent shade of red.

“Smart woman,” I tease. “Really, I’d have to say…my ability to adjust is my favorite thing about myself. I’ve been thrown some…curveballs, and I’ve managed to catch them every time. Quite impressive if you ask me.”

“There’s a story or two there,” she says, curiosity laced into her words.

“There is.” I nod and leave it at that.

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