Page 19 of Dear Adam
“Anytime is fine. I’d like to catch a few waves sooner rather than later, too,” I say, feigning nonchalance. Really, my mind is on the picture she had sent to Adam in her bikini. I hope Dad kept one of my boards at the house, or I’m going to have to spend money I don’t have on a new one in order to see this girl again.
Her eyes light up. “I’d love that! If you wanted, we could go tomorrow morning. Maybe around sunrise? Bloomie’s is closed on Sundays.”
A sunrise surf with the most gorgeous girl I’ve ever laid eyes on? Someone pinch me.
Before I can daydream too long, Pretzel runs by, Hank right behind her. His big tail catches a vase on the counter and I watch in horror, as it teeters. Aly and I reach for it at the same time, my rough, callused hands wrapping around her smooth, slender ones to secure it. Her hands are so small and delicate next to mine. Unwillingly, I pull away and brush my palms along my jeans.
“That was a close one,” she jokes and sets it back on the counter.
“Very close,” I say, every nerve ending where she touched me on fire. “Sorry about Hank. Sometimes he forgets how big he is.”
“Honestly, Pretzel is very much the same. Which is probably why I’ve had a constant cramp in my lower back since I’ve been dog sitting. Somehow, she takes up the bulk of the bed, leaving me to hang onto the edge for dear life.” She checks her watch again and blows out a puff of air. “I really do need to go before Emma shows up wondering where I am…”
Before she can finish, the bell above the door tinkles, and a man wearing an expensive-looking outfit and tiny Italian loafers strides through the door.
Hudson.
Chapter nine
Aly
“YoushouldseethisMini Cooper parked down the street,” Hudson says, walking to where I’m standing, straight past Levi as if he doesn’t exist.
He’s wearing a chambray shirt with cufflinks and khaki shorts that look like they could fit Pretzel. If he moved an inch in the wrong direction, I’m pretty sure they’d split apart at the seams. He hands me a bouquet of flowers, which I think is a little strange given that I run my own floral shop. Then, to make matters worse, he gives me a quick kiss,on the lips,and I’m stunned speechless for a second.
Where did that come from?
Immediately, my eyes shoot to Levi. His jaw is clenched, and the smile plastered to his face is so fake and forced, it almost looks painful. His eyes flash with something unrecognizable—anger maybe—and I’m secretly thrilled at the thought.
I politely smile at the bouquet Hudson gave me. “Can you believe someone bought that hideous excuse for a vehicle for their teenage daughter? Honestly I should call CPS. Hopefully it’s still out there when we leave so you can see it. It’s so bad.”
Levi clears his throat like he’s about to say something, but Hudson pretends not to notice, instead asking how Adam is. After I give him a quick update, he turns and acts as though he’s just now seeing Levi for the first time.
“Hey, buddy. Thanks for taking care of my girl’s problem. It’s hard to find a good plumber these days.”
The shudder that racks my body when he calls me hisgirlis enough to shake my mouth open as if it’s on a hinge.What was he doing?
“He’s actually a contractor,” I say, finally finding my words. Levi shoots me a grateful look.
“Plumber, contractor. Same thing.” He brushes Levi off and turns to face me completely. “Hey, I came by to see if you wanted to grab dinner with me tomorrow evening. I’ll pick you up at six.” He doesn’t give me a chance to decline before he’s rattling off the menu options at some fancy restaurant down by the marina.
“Hudson,” I say gently. Now he’s talking about the proper way to slurp oysters down, sounds and all. Why must his face be so pretty but the rest of him so…not? “Hudson,” I say again, louder this time. “I’m not available tomorrow.”
“You’re not?” he asks, bewildered. “Just cancel whatever plans you have. Problem solved. You won’t regret it.” He winks, and I taste the sandwich I had for lunch as it crawls back up my throat.
“No. I’m meeting with my contractor,” I say firmly, pointing to Levi.
Levi gives a little wave, wearing the smuggest, most satisfactory smirk I’ve ever seen.
Hudson fake smiles at me then stage-whispers out of the corner of his mouth, “Are you sure you want to trust someone who’s not exactly reputable to work on the house you live in? I can give you some names of contractors. You’ve worked hard for this, Al.”
“Levi and I went to high school together, Hudson. And he’s Adam’s best friend. I can definitely trust him.”
With raised eyebrows, Hudson hesitantly says, “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you…”
“My family runs one of the oldest contracting companies in Charleston,” Levi says, finally speaking up. “Even if it weren’t for the fact that I’ve known Aly since we were kids, I think you can rest assured that I wouldn’t jeopardize my family’s company by doing shoddy work.”
Levi’s jaw muscles flex again, and I have to say…it’s kind of hot. Like the Mr. Darcy hand flex of the jaw, if you will. I’ve already taken a mental snapshot of the way he looks, but I let my eyes roam over his faded blue jeans and snug black tee once more before forcing myself to look away so I don’t get caught. It should be a sin to look that good in something as simple as a black tee and jeans. The way the tee hugs his biceps makes me a little jealous, and I wonder if it’s normal to be jealous of a shirt. It makes me want to rip it off him and…
