He tilts his head. “You good, Pipe?”
I snort. We haven’t talked in years; I have nothing to say to him and yet… “Yeah. All good.”
Hudson’s jaw clenches. His eyes flash, his own frustrating flaring.
“Ooh.” Sandra pops up between us, placing a hand on each of our backs and pushing us closer together.
I avert my gaze as Hudson peers over my head. For a second, it reminds me of when we were in an argument as kids. We’d avoid each other, sometimes for an entire afternoon, even as our parents chatted and hung out around us. By dinnertime though, we would make up and carry on as if a rift never occurred. Until we didn’t.
“You guys will have a chance to catch up tonight. I’m thrilled you’re home for Christmas this year, Piper. Remember how close you and Hudson used to be?” She glances from me to Hudson. “It will be like having your best friend home for winter break again,” she tacks on, chuckling.
Sandra’s lost in her own memories. She doesn’t note the tension between her son and me.
“See you later, Piper,” Hudson says, turning away with his mom and walking up the path to the front door.
I don’t reply. Instead, I turn on my heel and, with my boots crunching the snow, stomp back to my parents’ house.
Hudson’s presence brings back a flood of insecurities I’ve tried hard to overcome.
Besides, even though we haven’t spoken in years, he shouldn’t have this effect on me. I’ve seen his gorgeous face in gossip magazines and on ESPN plenty of times. Mom keeps me informed on the newsworthy aspects of his life.
Still, my cheeks blaze and the base of my throat pinches uncomfortably.
The easy way he greeted me, like we’re old friends, like nothing awkward and hurtful transpired between us, bothers me. Doesn’t he realize he broke a part of my heart the night he callously rejected my advances? Doesn’t he realize how painful it was to lose my best friend?
After years of being my confidant, the fact that he would joke at my expense hurt more than the snide comments other girls made throughout high school.
He’ll never see you as more than a best friend, Piper.
You’re like his kid sister. A little puppy dog following him around.
You only get invited to these parties because we want Hudson to show up.
And then, when I tried to kiss him, in his playful, flippant voice.
Come on, Pipe. You know you’re not my type. Let’s not ruin a good, easy thing.
Good. Easy. That’s always been me. Along for the ride, uncomplicated, one of the boys.
Well, I’ve been gone a long time. Long enough to grow into a woman who feels complicated, messy emotions.
Sure, I may not have a great track record with men. Or time to date. And yeah, my social life sucks. But I never would have hurt Hudson Page the way his callous words cut me.
And I would’ve skipped Christmas if I knew it meant sharing a meal with him.
Chapter 2
Hudson
The ring of the doorbell cuts through the kitchen.
Mom is already moving toward the front door, a wide smile on her face. She’s been looking forward to Christmas since Stacy announced that she and Joe were coming with the kids back in September.
Dad pours his favorite red wine into glasses on the kitchen island. Stacy is on the phone, confirming her family’s arrival with worried friends back in the UK. Joe is sitting in the living room, working on a puzzle with my adorable niece and nephew.
And I’m reeling.
It’s been a few hours since Piper Lafontaine straight-up schooled me and still, I haven’t gotten over it. Stacy and her family filled Mom and Dad’s house with laughter and bustle while my mind stayed stuck on Piper’s reaction to seeing me.
