Page 33 of Tequila Haze

“It is,” he confirms, leaning forward, his elbows coming to rest on the table.

“Here you go.” We both jump, startled by the waitress who neither of us realized was there.

“That was fast,” I observe, leaning back so Addie can place the salad I ordered on the table in front of me.

“Anything else I can get you?” she asks, her eyes glued to Hudson the whole time.

I bite back the urge to remind her I’m at the table as well, instead deciding to enjoy the show.

“I’m good.” He smiles before flipping his gaze to me. “Lennon, you good, sweetheart?”

I nod once, not missing the disappointed look that flutters over Addie’s face at the endearment or the way Hudson’s eyes dance with humor.

“Enjoy your meal.” Addie turns and quickly walks away without another word.

“Hudson,” I scold. “I think you just broke the poor girl’s heart.”

“And how’s that?” He chuckles, picking a fry up off his plate and popping it into his mouth.

“You called me sweetheart. Did you see the look on her face. She thinks we’re together now.”

“We are together, aren’t we?” He pops another fry in his mouth, chewing slowly as he watches me.

“Physically, at this very moment, yes. But what happens after we leave here? Addie could have been the one and now you’ll never know because you led her to believe that we’re a thing.” I’m teasing of course, but that doesn’t lessen the way my stomach twists suddenly envisioning Addie’s cheek pressed against the stock room door while Hudson drives into her from behind.

I have to physically shake the image away.

“Are you listening to yourself? Are you seriously trying to pawn me off on our waitress who’s probably not even old enough to drink. Are you that scared of me?”

“I’m not scared of you. I just don’t think you should miss any opportunity. You never know where you’ll meet your soul mate.”

“And if I’ve already met her?” he asks, his gaze narrowing in on the way my cheeks flush with heat.

“Well, then good for you. I look forward to meeting her.” I shuffle the salad around my plate without breaking eye contact.

Hudson thinks on that for a long moment before laughter rumbles through him, shaking his shoulders.

“God I forgot how much fun you are to be around,” he says, shaking his head before his smile finally fades. “Why didn’t you call me?”

It takes me a second to catch up with the shift but once I do, I find he’s fallen completely serious across from me.

“I told you, I...”

“You lost my number,” he interrupts, the look on his face telling me that he knows better.

“Hudson.”

“Why don’t you tell me the truth? I’m a big boy. I can take it.”

“It wasn’t anything you did that night, if that’s what you’re thinking.” I instantly feel guilty, not once considering he might’ve thought I didn’t enjoy our time together. “That night was...incredible.” I let out a slow breath, knowing incredible doesn’t come close to covering it.

“Then why the radio silence after?” He waits patiently as I try to figure out exactly how to answer this question. Finally, I decide to be upfront with him.

“I came to Nashville.” I don’t miss the way his eyes widen slightly at my confession. “The weekend after you left, Emma and I drove up. Colton had told her you were playing atThriveand I let her convince me it was a good idea to show up unannounced. I knew if I called you I would let it slip. I’m horrible at keeping secrets. So I chose not to call at all, figuring you’d know why I hadn’t once you saw me there.”

“But I didn’t see you,” he states the obvious, clearly confused.

“But I saw you.” I set my fork down, knotting my hands in my lap before meeting his gaze again. “And I saw some brunette whose tongue was jammed down your throat.”

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