Page 74 of Playing With Fire
“Shh,” he soothes. “Gregor catching on was inevitable, baby. We couldn’t stay away from each other and we took some big risks. But I don’t regret it. How bad is it?”
“He hasn’t used Serafina as leverage yet, but I think that’s only because he still thinks I wouldn’t actually leave him. He’s just trying to get you out of the picture. I’m sorry I emailed your boss,” I tell him sincerely.
“I declined to change routes, Shan. I appreciate you looking out for me, but I refuse to give Gregor that much power. Besides, I’m a big boy, I can fight my own battles,” he admonishes gently.
“I know, I just felt so helpless…and so at fault,” I admit.
“Are you still planning to tell him when you get home from the Outer Banks?”
“Yes. And I’m not sure how I’m going to survive the next few days. I just want it to be over with already.” As anafterthought I add, “Thank you for the phone…and for sending your sister. She’s…um, lovely.” I can’t help the chuckle that breaks through my tears.
“I told her to behave. She wasn’t a complete dick, was she?” I hear the wince in his tone.
“Complete?No. I’d say maybe partial, but I don’t blame her. In fact, it made me like her. She loves you and I appreciate that she’s protecting you.” Growing serious, I tell him, “I wish you’d told me about Gregor representing the guy that killed your best friend, though.”
Hudson is silent a beat too long before fighting through his next words. “I didn’t want you to think?—”
“That I was part of some revenge plot, I know. Monica told me,” I finish for him.
He swallows harshly and the noise travels down the line to my heart.
“When do you leave for the coast?” he asks.
“I’ll drive over Friday after work.”
“When does Gregor leave?”
A smile hits my lips. “Tomorrow.” And then I remember. “Oh! I just signed a lease on my very first apartment!” I tell him excitedly, starting my car to go get my baby girl from my in-laws. “Maybe I could show you on Thursday?” I haven’t fully thought the idea through, but I love the thought of Hudson in my new space. “Maybe we can christen it,” I add playfully, so relieved to be talking to him.
“Oh, you have furniture in there already?” he asks, returning my playful tone.
“Well, no, but it’s got walls, a floor, and some counters…surely that’s all we need, right?” I tease.
“Shannon,” he growls, taking me from mildly turned-on torelease is imminentin just one word.
“That wasn’t a no,” I point out, laughing for the first time in days.
“It definitely wasn’t a no,” he agrees.
“How was your day?” I ask, eager for the details of every second of our time apart.
“Well, the last few days have kind of been a blur, honestly. Just making sure I remember to eat, sleep, and put pants on. Cam wrangled four cups of hot chocolate out of me after telling me that his finger was hurting.”
This makes me bark out in laughter and God, it feels so good.
“Smart guy. Learns quick. How have things been at the fire station?”
“Quiet. It’s been nice to see the guys on a slightly more regular basis, though. We’ve had a couple easy calls, but it’s been great at getting me out of my own head for a few hours. I’m actually heading there tonight at seven,” he says, which tells me I interrupted his nap.
“Oh! Why didn’t you say so? Get some rest! I’m heading to pick Serafina up from Greg’s parents. I’ll call you as soon as I can tomorrow…and Hudson?”
“Yeah, baby?” he purrs into the phone.
“Even though I’m scared, I’m in this.”
“Me too.”
Chapter 28
