Page 73 of Worth the Risk

I shake my head no.

He looks at me, waiting for me to catch on.

But it takes a little longer for my brain to connect. It’s only when his eyes gawk at me that I understand.

“Oh.”

Hudson reaches out with the back of his finger once more to rub my cheek. “Yeah, oh.” He flashes his eyes. “It’s the way I want it.”

I know he hopes that I’m pregnant, but truthfully, it hasn’t crossed my mind, as we’re not actively trying, nor actively being safe either. We don’t say anything else about the topic as we bid one another goodbye.

* * *

Arrivingat the front desk of the spa, I’m occupied with tying my hair up into a messy bun. Nonetheless, the calming music does bring me down a smidgen on the stress scale, and the candles, green plants, and swinging chairs all set the tone that I’ve entered tranquil territory.

When Hudson suggested this the other week, I just kind of agreed to be polite. Well, staying at his house wasn’t, I was honest that I focus well at his place, so I have no qualms about coming to Lake Spark while he’s away, but a spa day is kind of special, and I figured it was something he was just suggesting to be nice. But Hudson doesn’t suggest, he acts. So, a few days later, he told me that he’d booked me in at the Dizzy Duck Inn.

“Good morning, you must be Piper.” The woman my age with impeccable skin greets me from behind the desk.

“Yeah, that’s me. I have, or my boyfriend, he made a reservation for me.” I’m still getting used to calling him that, but it makes a small smile break out.

The woman studies the screen with a welcoming look. “Indeed, he booked you quite a day. Full-body massage, facial, nails, and you also have a lovely lunch later on the terrace, and you can use the sauna and jacuzzi, of course. Can I get you some mint water to start? You are having a massage first.”

My brows raise, as I’m impressed that Hudson arranged all of that, and wow, I am a lucky girl. “Water would be good.”

“Sure. I will show you the changing room so you can throw on a robe, and I’ll get you that water.” She grabs a few folded towels from behind her on the shelf and indicates with her hand that I should follow her. “Your friend is here already.”

“Friend?”

She glances over her shoulder. “Yes. The day is for two people… or did you not know that?” An awkward smile forms on her mouth.

I laugh under my breath before my lips roll in then quirk out because I should have seen this coming. Hudson isn’t shy to do things. “Let me guess…”

She opens the door and in my full view is April tying her fluffy white robe. “Piper.” April’s voice fills with disdain, but even that feels more for theatrics.

The lady from the spa looks between us and manages to hold her smile. “I’ll give you two a few minutes and get some water. When you’re both ready, you have a partner massage in room three.”

April and I don’t take notice of the woman leaving, instead we stare at one another.

“I guess my mother isn’t meeting me for a spa day… Sounds like typical Hudson.” April crosses her arms.

I step into the changing room and walk to the hanging robe, not bothering to look at April. “Maybe I knew deep down that he would conspire to get us into a room together.” I grab the robe.

“Right. Because you two are soul mates now.” April’s sentence is dripping with sarcasm, which causes me to throw a glare in her direction. Immediately, April seems to look remorseful. “Sorry,” she clips. “But I’m not leaving.”

“You don’t need to,” I say as I begin to undress.

“Good. Because I could use a spa day.”

“Me too.”

“Fine.”

Silence takes over the room, and when I tie my robe, we seem to be in a stare-off. “We should probably head to our massage.”

April lifts her head. “Okay, but if we get a hot masseuse, then obviously he’s mine.”

I shake my head. “No argument there.”

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