Page 18 of Worth the Risk

But I will remain strong and fight back the tears stinging to break free. Nope. Will not cry, I’m going to fight those little droplets like the final play in the Superbowl.

I slap a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s get you married, kid.”

Blinking back a tear, I remind myself that today is about my son. Tomorrow is about Piper who finally agreed to join me on a much-needed escape.

6

PIPER

My heart is pattering at the speed of light, and I nervously tap my fingers on the steering wheel as I drive. I do my best to keep my eyes on the road, but it’s hard not to look at the nature surrounding me. As I get closer to Lake Spark, the woods build up and the trees bring a tunnel of green over the road.

In normal circumstances, the scene may be calming, but I’m in an unusual situation.

“Come on, Piper, you agreed to this,” I speak aloud to myself. A sort of pep talk for the twentieth time.

The only thing that can explain my decision is that sometimes in life you have a feeling so strong that it can’t be ignored. Taking a chance on Hudson’s offer is that very instance.

He hasn’t left my mind, and that’s a problem.

Then again, there was no chance of me forgetting Hudson Arrows from the moment he kissed me, and then the thought was only cemented when April introduced us. Which gives me a twinge of guilt. I texted her that I was going out of town for a few days for a fashion expo, because I have a sneaking suspicion she wouldn’t be thrilled if she knew the truth.

I glance at my weekend bag on the backseat, and I feel my nerves building, with butterflies in my stomach running rampant as I approach the turn, according to the GPS.

This is crazy. So spontaneous, and damn, it could go so wrong.

What if we have nothing in common? Or it’s only sex? Why am I even questioning this all, as if Hudson is a contender to become more?

I approach the security gate and stop. I reach my finger out to the intercom, and someone must have been watching for me on the other end because the gate opens before I get a chance to press the button.

It doesn’t take long after entering for me to arrive at the end of the road, as it is a sort of cul-de-sac of three houses. Beautiful and big houses that are any architect’s dream of modernity—well, two seem to be under construction, and the third I’ll assume is Hudson’s, and when I search for the number over the garage then I know I’m correct.

Parking on the driveway, I take one last big breath. “Here we go, Piper.”

My heart rate is picking up, I feel it, but I open my door anyway, ready for this. Just as I slide out, Hudson emerges from the front door and walks down the path. He’s in jeans with a white t-shirt, his chin has a little stubble, and his eyes catch the sunlight just right. But it’s his widening grin as he approaches that has me weak in the knees.

“Welcome,” he greets me. Yet he slows as he gets closer, perhaps waiting for my cue.

I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. I’m in jeans and a light pink button-up shirt; it’s cute, yet comfortable.

“Hi.” I give him a half-smile because seeing him again is as exciting as it is daunting.

“I’m happy you made it here.” One step closer.

My shoulder slants up toward my ears. “Afraid I would change my mind?”

He tips his head to the side. “Nah, you seem smart and know a good thing when you feel it. My question was more about how there have been a lot of foxes on the road. Even though it’s afternoon, they still appear every now and then.”

Is he for real? Or is he trying to lighten the mood? “Right, those killer foxes.”

Next thing I know, I feel something hit my forehead, as if it dropped from the sky. I whimper in response and see a pinecone fall to the ground.

“Shit. Are you okay?” Hudson steps closer to me and touches my arm in concern.

I rub my forehead and try to smile through my embarrassment. “Wow, nature is trying to knock some sense into me.”

Hudson’s face floods with relief when he confirms that I’m okay. “I don’t even know what to say because what are the odds? I mean, there is a pine tree above the driveway, but still… did it work? The knock-sense-into-you part?”

“Despite the foxes and dangerous pinecones, I still seem to be staying here.” I rub the sap residue from my forehead.

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