When I open the door my mouth drops. Hudson is in a pair of loose fitting jeans and a black dress shirt. His hair is that sexy out-of-bed look, and his eyes are bright when he looks me up and down.
“Hey Ellie.”
“Hey,” I breathe out. He’s so handsome that I almost can’t control my breathing or heart beats. “Come in,” I’m finally able to say something. I step to the side to let him in.
“Where do you want the wine?” I didn’t even notice that he had a bottle in his hands.
“Just follow me. Um, you’ll have to forgive me.” I walk to the kitchen, as he follows me.
“Why is that?” I grab the glasses from the counters and set them on the table.
“Well, I didn’t have anything to cook. I had to order something.” I point to the food. “It’s not Jim’s, but it’s a local diner, and they’re very good.”
Hudson smiles at me. “Bacon cheeseburgers and onion rings, nice.”
He pulls my seat out, and I sit down. He sits next to me. I open the wine and pour some into each of our glasses.
“You know I meant to ask you something the other day, but forgot,” Hudson said.
“Oh, was that before I almost blinded you with my ponytail?” I mumble in embarrassment.
Hudson laughs. “Well, I will say that was a more memorable date, that’s for sure. But seriously, what was your major in college?”
“I went to community college.” I correct him.
“Still college, right?”
“Yea, I guess. Um, I wanted to be a nurse. I always wanted to help people.” I smile at him.
“You know, I can see that from you.” He bites into his burger and moans. “This is really good.”
“They aren’t bad. I eat there sometimes when I’m working late. So, how’s work going? Working on any big projects that I will see soon in the skyline?” I look up at him brightly.
“No big projects. Work is just work.” He shrugs uncomfortably. I got the impression he doesn’t want to talk about work.
“What should I expect from your sister?” I change the subject. I can feel my hands shaking a little bit when I ask. “I mean, is she going to beat me up because I’m dating her big brother?”
“Not at all. She’s like a girl version of me. She forgets her manners, sometimes, but there’s really nothing to worry about. Just expect to have fun.”
“I’m sort of nervous.” I honestly admit. “I’ve never met family members before.” I’m not sure why I said that, he’s going to think I’m some prude.
“Don’t be nervous, Ellie. If it’ll make you feel better, we can come up with some sort of code word and all you have to do is say it. I’ll come up with a way to get you out of there.”
“Ha, my aunt used to do that too. It was always the same sentence.”
“And what was that?”
“Kitty Cat. I would ask if I could have a kitty cat.” I blush at the childish word. My aunt was polite, but sometimes she just wasn’t in the mood to talk to everyone. She would give me a look and I knew to ask the question. Then she would excuse herself from the conversation.
“That’s cute. How about this? If you get uncomfortable, take my hand and squeeze it really hard. Then I’ll take care of the rest.”
“That sounds like a plan.” I blush at the thought of holding his hand again.
“If I may ask, have you always been a nervous person?”
“I’m more of an agoraphobic than anything. I was worse when I was younger. I hardly spoke when I was a child. Getting this job brought me out of my shell. I mean, I still get very nervous and shy, but it’s much better.”
“Wow, I can’t imagine you being shyer than this.”