Playing with Words (Boggy Creek Valley 2)

As I drank the last bit of wine in my glass, I stole a glance at Hudson. He was staring into the fire, lost in his thoughts.

I set the glass down and bumped his leg with my knee. “Penny for your thoughts.”

He looked at me and smiled. “I was just trying to remember when I’ve had such an amazing time, and I honestly can’t think of anything.”

I felt my cheeks heat and it wasn’t from the fire. “You’re just saying that because I gave you chocolate and vanilla bean ice cream.”

With a sexy-as-hell smirk, he pointed at me. “You’re probably right. But in all honesty, I’ve really enjoyed myself tonight, Greer. Thank you for inviting me over.”

I glanced down at my now-empty hands. I had been twisting them into a nervous knot, and I forced myself to relax before looking back up at Hudson. “I’ve really enjoyed myself as well. It’s been nice taking some time away from the bookstore these last two days.”

“Then, you should do it more often.”

Oh, I’d spent some time away from the bookstore before. On the rare occasion, I’d even taken a day off. But the only reason the last two days had been so amazing was because I’d spent them with him.

I drew in a breath and exhaled slowly. “I should probably let you go. It’s late, and I’m sure you want to get some writing in tomorrow.”

Hudson nodded and stared at the fire again. “Yeah, I’d like to get a good day of writing in tomorrow; I’ve got plans for Saturday.”

My stomach dropped at the idea of Hudson possibly having plans with someone else. Forcing a smile, I stood alongside him. “What plans do you have?”

He folded the blanket and set it back down on the cushion. “We have plans, Greer.”

“We?” I repeated in a confused voice.

With a chuckle, he said, “Yes. It’s your birthday, so before I came up here, I stopped and asked Candace if there was any way you could take a half day on Saturday. She said she’d make sure it happened, so you and I are going to spend your birthday exploring Boggy Creek Valley together. Then, I thought I would take you out to dinner. I heard there was some fancy restaurant up the valley that sits on a lake called High Point. I made us reservations.”

My mouth fell open. “Wait, are you serious? But, Hudson, what about your book?”

He gave me a reassuring grin. “My fingers are itching to get back to writing, but I’ll have all day tomorrow and Saturday morning to write. Just plan on me picking you up around eleven thirty on Saturday. I mean…unless you have plans? Shit, I didn’t even think that you might have plans.” A frown appeared between his brows, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m so sorry, Greer. I shouldn’t have assumed you’d be free.”

I quickly put him out of his misery. “I am! I mean, all I was going to be doing was working.”

“What about your family? Did you have plans with them?”

I shook my head and willed myself to calm down and not act like a desperate fool. I couldn’t even remember the last time I had done anything on my birthday. “No. We always celebrate our birthdays as a family on the Sunday after. It’s the only day we all have off.”

He smiled, the tension immediately evaporating from his handsome face. “Then, you’ll hang out with me on Saturday and go to dinner?”

I nearly bounced up and down with excitement. “Yes! I’d love to.”

“Great. Okay, then, I’ll, um, see you Saturday.”

When Hudson started walking toward the roof door, I followed. “Saturday at eleven thirty.” The idea of going on another date with Hudson had butterflies dancing in my stomach.

Once we got back to my place, I walked Hudson to the front door.

“Don’t worry about walking me down,” he said.

“Okay.” I smiled. “The door automatically locks, so you don’t have to worry about locking it.”

“Oh, nice. That’s good.”

I nodded.

Hudson paused, and when his eyes dropped to my mouth, I thought for a moment he was going to kiss me. Then, he brought his gaze back up to mine and cleared his throat. “Thank you for dinner, dessert, the wine, and a really enjoyable evening.”

“Thank you for coming. I had a great time as well.”

“Good,” he said, nodding his head. “Good. Well, I guess I’ll…um…head on home. Well, not home, but to the cabin. That’s yours…well, not yours really, but your dad’s. Your, um, family’s.”

I couldn’t help the chuckle that slipped out as I watched his cheeks turn pink.

He shook his head, turned, and started down the steps without saying another word.

“Be careful driving back out there, Hudson! Watch out for moose!”

He laughed. “Never thought I’d hear someone say that to me!”

With one last look up at me, Hudson waved and then slipped out the door. As soon as I heard the door click and lock, I shut mine, locked it, and then leaned against the surface.