Kyle must have noticed, as well, because he seemed to pull away from Everly for the remainder of the evening.
He also didn’t sit next to her on Sunday when our folks invited the Higgins family over for dinner. I was surprised at how sad that made me. When I asked him about it privately, he just said that even though he liked Everly, he didn’t see how anything could develop. Not when she traveled so much and lived in Washington, D.C.
I could totally understand why he was distancing himself before he fell for her. It still made my heart break for my brother, though. It was clear he truly enjoyed Everly’s company.
After our family dinner on Sunday night, Hudson and I returned to my place, where we spent a glorious evening together. We made love, talked endlessly up on the rooftop, and then finally fell into bed around two in the morning.
When I woke up on Monday morning, I groaned and rolled over to find the bed empty and a note sitting on the pillow, with a single rose placed over it.
Smiling, I sat up and read the note.
Greer,
I slipped out early so I could be back at the cabin when Everly and my folks woke up. We’re going to head into town for breakfast, and then they’ll be headed back to Boston. Everly has a flight out tonight at seven.
Have an amazing day, sweetheart. Talk soon.
Love,
Hudson
My heart fluttered in my chest as I moved my finger over the word love. Closing my eyes, I clutched the note to my chest and squealed like a little girl.
“Oh dear, you’ve gone and captured my heart, Hudson Higgins!”
I was still flying high from my weekend when I got down to the bookstore. After answering emails and taking care of a few orders, I made my way toward the front, where Candace was already unlocking the door.
Trying to hide a smile, she asked, “Soooo, how was meeting the parents?”
“Wonderful. Amazing. Fun. Entertaining. Wonderful.”
She chuckled. “You said wonderful twice.”
With a sigh, I sat on the stool behind the counter and placed my hand over my heart. “Candace, I love his family, and they got along so well with my family.”
Her mouth fell open. “Wait, what? Hudson’s family met your family?”
I nodded. “Yes! My mother invited them over for Sunday dinner. It was so much fun.”
“Fun?” she asked with a laugh. “What did you guys do?”
My mind drifted back to last night, and I couldn’t help but bounce around in the chair like a small child who was just told they were going to Disney World. “Well, after we ate, we all sat on the front porch since it was such a beautiful evening. Then, Kyle busted out the pick-up sticks. I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard in years. There’s something about Hudson and his family that makes me feel so at ease. I feel like I’ve known them forever.”
“Well, if his family stayed after the pick-up sticks, then you have a winner for sure.”
I laughed. “It didn’t take long for them to catch on to the crazy in our family. I think they had just as much fun.”
“Have you gotten any sexy time in with the folks here?”
I felt my face instantly heat. “Yes. Hudson spent the night at my place last night. Jesus tap dancing Christ, the man knows how to…” My voice trailed off.
“He knows how to what? What does he know how to do?!” Candace asked as she grabbed my shoulders and gave me a shake.
Leaning in closer, I whispered, “Things.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Girl, do not make me slap the shit out of you. And don’t beat around the bush. What does he do? Oral? Is he good at oral?”
I slapped her playfully, laughing. “Stop it!”
One of her brows rose. “So, it is oral. Good with his tongue, huh?”
I was positive my face could not possibly get any hotter. “Yes, he is. Very good. He also has stamina. I was exhausted this morning.”
“That’s something I would not be complaining about.”
“Oh, I’m not.”
We both fell into a fit of giggles.
“What about you? Did you meet up with Will this weekend?”
Candace’s smile slipped away, and she gave me a serious look. “Oh, I don’t kiss and tell.”
My mouth fell open as I watched her walk away from me.
“That’s not fair, Candace! I told you! Did you at least have sex?”
The bell on the door rang, and I quickly spun around. Hopefully whoever was walking in hadn’t heard me.
“Tom,” I said, relieved to see him. I walked up to meet him near the door. “Did you get my message?”
“I did, and I’ve been meaning to stop by and speak with you, Greer.”
The look on his face told me whatever he wanted to say wasn’t going to be good news. My stomach instantly felt as if someone had placed a twenty-pound weight in it.