Page 87 of Cherish

“Over my dead body,” he quips with a half smile, finally seeming to see the humor in all of this, but he still wastes no time yanking the hat off his head and tossing it back to Flint before racing for the store exit.

“Is that your way of saying you like the baseball cap better?” Flint calls after him, which has all of us cracking up as we head toward the exit as well.

“What the bloody hell is happening here?” Hudson murmurs to me as we make our way through the aisles.

“I don’t know, but I really do think you should enjoy it.”

“Enjoy it?” He looks nearly as horrified as Jaxon at the mere suggestion.

“Yes, enjoy it. People have finally figured out how fabulous you are, and I, for one, am here for it.”

“There’s a difference between not being reviled and having people dress up as you for costume parties,” he tells me.

“There is,” I agree, sliding my arm around his waist to give him a hug. “But there are way worse people they could dress up as.”

He just rolls his eyes again, but I can see the pleased flush creeping up his cheekbones. He may be totally embarrassed by the excess of what we just saw, but I know the lost little boy inside him well enough to recognize he’s just a bit pleased as well.

Which is why I grab a Mrs. Vega hat the second he takes Smokey out to get some exercise. After all, if everyone else in this town is going to be wearing one, I figure his real mate had better be wearing one, too.

And it’s totally worth it when he sees me outside, because he laughs and laughs and laughs and laughs.

“It’s a good look on you,” he tells me, tugging on the brim of the bedazzled black-and-red cap I couldn’t resist.

“You’re a better look on me,” I murmur while everyone else is too busy checking out Adarie—Vegaville—to notice.

“I am at that.” His eyes grow dark. “In fact, maybe when—”

He breaks off as an artsy wraith with tufts of purple hair sticking out around a very shiny purple bald spot walks up to us. “Hudson? I heard Anill telling some people you were actually in town. Man, what an opportunity! You’re excited, right?” he asks, extending a purple card.

“Excited?” Hudson asks, nonplussed, arms crossed over his chest.

“Oh yes,” the man says, rubbing his hands together. “We are about to makehistory, man!”

48

Talk About

Star(fall) Power

“I have trouble imagining that,” Hudson answers, studiously avoiding taking the guy’s card. I, however, accept it with a smile, taking a moment to appreciate the glittery edges.

“My name’s Aspero, and I’m a concert promoter here in town. I’ve been waiting for you to come back to Vegavilleforever, and how perfect is it that you came right before Starfall? I can do so much with that.”

“Concert promoter?” Jaxon asks as he steps closer, sounding equal parts fascinated and amused.

Aspero doesn’t take his eager gaze from my mate. “I would love the chance to sit down and talk numbers and dates with you, Hudson. Your performance at Starfall is still the most talked-about concert in the history of Noromar, and I’d love the chance to duplicate it—with tickets and an exclusive venue this time, so we can both make a lot of money.”

“I’m not a singer,” Hudson answers and starts walking toward the inn. He’s not trying to be rude. I know Hudson well enough to know that. He only sang to save me from embarrassment, and now he’s looking ten shades of uncomfortable at the reminder. I reach for his hand and squeeze, but he doesn’t meet my eyes.

“Don’t be so modest, brother.” Jaxon claps him on the back.

“We all know that isn’t true,” Aspero tells Hudson, rushing to catch up, not the slightest bit put off by his lack of interest. “Your voice is great, your looks are pretty good, and you’ve got that star presence that’s so hard to find. Plus, you’ve already built up a base of loyal fans.”

“Yeah, Hudson, your looks arepretty good.” Jaxon is outright chuckling now. “You should get up on stage and give all the kids a thrill. Make those handsome Vega genes work for you.”

Jaxon snickers like a rabid hyena—but stops abruptly when Aspero’s eyes narrow on him and he asks, “Do you sing, too?” He looks Jaxon up and down. “Now, you’re somerealeye candy. The fans would go wild for you.”

And I can’t help it. I snort-laugh so hard I almost choke on my own spit. Hudson and I meet eyes—and both roll them at the same time. He shakes his head and murmurs to me, “It’s the hair.”

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