Page 29 of Resting Beach Face
“The doughnuts were delicious, by the way. Thank Fisher for me.”
“They’re amazing, right? How fast did you eat them?”
I chuckled ruefully. “They lasted one morning.”
He nodded. “Glazed Holes knows what they’re doing.”
“That name though…”
He grinned. “I know.”
Pam Willard, one of the owners, arrived with our plates. “Fried catfish for Hudson and seared trout for Declan. Enjoy, guys. Let me know if you need anything else.”
I inhaled the scent of lemon pepper from my plate of fish and rice, my mouth watering.
“This looks great,” Hudson said. “Thanks.”
We both dug in. Hudson ate quickly, dipping his catfish in the sauce, getting his fingers greasy and not caring. I went slower, cutting each bite precisely and keeping an orderly plate: the fish lay on a bed of rice, which was fine, but the summer squash medley had to be kept separate. Otherwise, it’d taint the flavor of both items.
“So, did you miss this place while you were gone?” I asked before taking another bite.
“Mm.” Hudson swallowed a bite and picked up his beer to chase it with a drink. “It was a nice break, but I’m glad tobe back. Even though it’s kind of strange to see how much I missed.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, when I left, Ash and Sawyer were at each other’s throats. Then I come back, and they’re a mushy couple. Funny how quickly things can change, you know?”
I nodded. I’d seen them together at the pub, holding hands and exchanging looks. Aside from approaching to say hello to Hudson and invite him to this lunch, I’d kept my distance.
The conversation with Cash after he’d kissed Sawyer still mortified me.
“I don’t understand why Cash kissed Sawyer at the pub,” I blurted. “If Sawyer and Ash are dating, then why—” I stopped short with an exasperated laugh. “Nevermind. I sound like a nosy old lady.”
Hudson raised an eyebrow at me. “I wouldn’t say that.”
“Oh, well…that’s good.”
“But I can tell you why, if you’re interested.”
“I’m not interested,” I protested automatically. “Just…confused.”
He smiled, a touch of pity leaking into it that made me bristle.
“Just forget it,” I said.
“The way Fisher tells it, Cash wanted Sawyer to see that kissing Ash meant something real. Sawyer was in denial about what was happening, and Cash knew he wouldn’t enjoy kissing him, so…”
“It was an experiment?”
“I guess that’s one way to put it,” Hudson said with a shrug. “They’re all so young. They’re still figuring things out, you know?” He groaned. “And god, can you believe I’m dating the youngest one of them all?”
I laughed. “And you better keep dating him since you dined and dashed on me just to get in his pants.”
“I did not get in his pants that night!” Hudson protested. “He was drunk, and someone else was trying to take advantage. I was just…”
“Protective of his pants,” I said. “Got it.”
“Yes,” he said. “Well…” He looked chagrinned. “I was the only one he really wanted.”
