What Love Looks Like

“I wanted to surprise you,” he says, giving me the same reason I gave him when I showed up unannounced. The difference is, he had asked me that morning to come see him. Jokingly, I told him I would hop on a plane right away. And then, without second-guessing myself, I did something crazy and got online and booked Abby and me a flight on my credit card, showing up at his house a few hours later.

He, on the other hand, didn’t tell me because I’ve been pushing him away the past week. The more I miss him, the more my heart hurts, and the more I push him away because I don’t know what else to do. We’re at an impasse, and neither of us can make the necessary changes for us to be together.

“You made Abby’s day. She was bummed you guys wouldn’t be able to come.”

Hudson steps toward me, invading my space. “What about her mom? Was she bummed too?” he murmurs huskily.

I swallow thickly. “She’s an adult and understands what happens on vacation stays on vacation.” But as the words come out, even I know it’s a lie—one I need to turn into the truth if I have any chance of getting over the man who has stolen my heart.

“I don’t agree with that,” Hudson says, taking my chin between his fingers and lifting my face up to look at him. “You came to my home, met my friends, slept in my bed. You made breakfast in my kitchen after I spent the night making you come several times. This is more than a vacation fling, and you know it.” He presses his lips to mine, and I sigh into him, drinking him in like a dehydrated plant desperate for water.

“I’ve missed you, baby,” he whispers against my lips, making my body thrum in need. “Have you missed me?”

“It doesn’t matter. Nothing’s changed.”

His forehead drops softly against my own. “It does matter. It matters a helluva lot.”

Our reunion is cut off by the sound of a throat clearing, and when I turn around, I find my dad standing on the porch with his arms crossed over his chest, glaring daggers at the man who’s still holding me in his arms.

“Hey, Dad,” I say, stepping out of Hudson’s hold. “Hudson, this is my dad, Charles. Dad, this is Hudson, Lucas and Presley’s dad.”

“Seems like he’s a bit more than just a dad,” he bites out, no doubt recalling the couple of conversations we’ve had since we’ve returned from Hilton Head, and every time I’ve chalked it up to a couple of single parents hanging out with our kids who became fast friends. When I told them we were flying to New York, my parents gave me a curious look but thankfully didn’t ask questions when I explained we were invited to see the city. When I sent the invitation, at Abby’s request, I figured if Hudson actually RSVP’d, I could give them a more detailed version before he arrived. Only he said he couldn’t go…

“It’s nice to meet you, sir,” Hudson says, shaking my dad’s hand. “And you’re right, despite the fact your daughter wants to downplay what’s happening between us, I am more than just Presley and Lucas’s dad. I’m in love with your daughter.”

Dad’s eyes go wide, and at the same time, I gasp in shock at Hudson’s bluntness.

“Is that right?” Dad says. “Then it’s a good thing you’re here so we can get to know each other.”

“You know who he is,” I mutter. “You watch football.”

“True, I know who the football player is, but that doesn’t tell me anything about the man behind the helmet.” He steps over to Hudson and pats his back. “So, Hudson, let’s start with what your intentions are with my daughter. I hear that you love her, but what I want to know is, what does that mean?”

“Oh God,” I groan, wondering how the hell Hudson thinks he’s going to talk his way out of this one since we don’t even know where we stand.

“What it means,” Hudson begins, his eyes locking on mine, “is, while we have a few bumps in the road to get over, I have every intention of making Sawyer mine in every way that matters.”

At his admission, butterflies swarm in my chest, wishing it were that simple but knowing it’s not.

“That’s a good start,” Dad says, his tone ringing with approval. “Let’s go out back. I’m sure my wife will be excited to meet you. Like me, she had no idea Sawyer left on vacation and came back in love.”

And. Kill. Me. Now.

As we walk through the house to the back, I give Hudson the ten-cent tour. When we walk outside, my sister locks eyes with me, then her gaze goes to Hudson, and she smirks. Fuck. My dad has nothing on my sister.