Page 21 of Worth the Risk

“I was thinking maybe just steak and vegetables for dinner, but then I realized I don’t know what you like.” Hudson gets to work on uncorking a bottle of white.

“I’m pretty easy, I don’t eat much pork, though.” He gives me peculiar eyes, and I explain further. “My mom is Jewish and my dad Catholic, best of both worlds, but my mom won on what we ate in the house growing up.”

He pours me a glass. “Ah, well, a wise man knows that the woman leads the way.”

“Is that so?” I feel a coy smile stretch on my mouth, as I feel that he is insinuating me and where our day may lead.

Hudson offers me the glass, and he holds his own out to suggest a toast. “I’ll cheers to that. You lead the way.”

“I like the sound of that.” I smile before clinking our glasses together, and I notice our eye contact is intense but in an electric way, which makes me thankful for the wine.

He indicates his head in the direction of the patio. “Some fresh air?”

“With that view, I don’t think I’d ever say no.”

I take the wine glasses and he takes the board of snacks, then we walk outside, taking a minute to get comfortable in the outdoor seating area, comfy lounge furniture with cloth pillows. He doesn’t sit too far from me, but just enough to put my body on high alert. We angle our bodies toward one another as we hold onto the wine.

“So, you’re Jewish?” he asks curiously.

“I guess. I was never raised in the religion. My grandmother, on the other hand, is a staunch follower, but more for the gossip from the temple than anything. Her family came from Hungary before the war, and my father’s side is Dutch, but again, came long ago to the US. Dapper means brave in Dutch, actually.”

“I like that. You are a brave person.”

“How so?”

He has a sheepish look before he takes a quick sip of wine. “You took a chance on me.”

I can’t answer, only let our eyes hold. Maybe I will explain my reasoning when I’ve got more wine in me. Changing the subject quickly is my diversion.

“Actually, I got into design because of my grandmother. She comes from a family of seamstresses, and she became quite a big designer, back when department stores were king, and now, she’s retired, with enough money to live a very good life. My parents were kind of the opposite, met during college, now work as doctors and volunteer time abroad, my brother too.” I study Hudson for a second and watch how he listens intently. “If I can be honest, I think because of my grandmother, money and fame don’t really faze me. Even though I could use my grandmother’s name to get my foot through so many doors, I don’t. So, I guess I’m not the typical woman you may have dated.”

He looks at me oddly, and I realize what I suggested.

“Oh no, what I mean is, well… it’s not right for me to make assumptions, but based on what I’ve seen online then… sorry.” And I do it again, nervously ramble.

To my relief, Hudson chuckles and pops a cube of cheese into his mouth. “You’re honest, I’ll give you that. And for the sake of honesty, you’re probably mostly right, but not as of late.”

“Was there ever someone serious?” I wonder.

“Before coaching, I was on a vigorous schedule of training and games as a player. There were a few girlfriends here and there. But eventually, the schedule irritated them, or I could clearly see they were more interested in my fame. Then I turned coach, and my schedule became even more grueling, and life got chaotic. However, since my son came into my life, I’ve felt a need to slow down where I can. You?”

It’s fair enough that he would ask me about my romantic life. I slide off the seat and walk a few steps with my wine to admire the view because I’m not ready to talk about that aspect of my life, not when Hudson could be the very opposite of what I’ve experienced.

“Such a great view. Why did you pick a house on Lake Spark?”

I feel him now standing and walking closer to me. “We train not far from here during the summer and for spring camps. During game season, I’m mostly living in hotels, and even though I have a place in the city, it isn’t home. I even commute back here when schedule allows. I much prefer a small town on a lake, more solitude and calm. People just let me be, maybe because there are several people in the industry that live here, so the townsfolk are immune. My parents live in the western suburbs and will never move, even when I paid off their mortgage. It was the first thing I did when I got my contract money as an athlete. They’re retired now. My mom was a teacher and my dad a plant manager. When I retire, I hope it is to here—and by the way, retirement for an athlete, even turned coach, is still young, in case you’re concerned about my talk of retirement.”

I turn to him with a fond look. “Sounds like a wonderful plan. I’m slightly jealous. I’m not much of a city person, although that’s all I know.”

“Well, then it’s good that you’re here. You’ll get to enjoy the things that you like and experience something new.” I notice a subtle tic of his jaw which means he is insinuating himself; it only causes me to smirk.

Again, we stand there, getting lost in each other’s eyes. There’s a pull we’re both trying to fight, but we have our head in the game.

It takes a few beats before Hudson speaks. “Can I ask you a question?” His tone is almost serious.

I nervously drink from my wine. “Of course. I think questions will be our theme for the next few days,” I attempt to joke.

He steps closer, and I gulp, anticipation rising. His fingertips land on my shoulder, and the best kind of tingle runs through my body. “What’s the real reason you’re here?”

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