Veronica raises an eyebrow at him, but doesn’t say anything as she scans me with pursed lips.
“Got any experience?” she asks.
I catch Hudson’s brief look of surprise when I respond. “I’ve worked in diners for the last few years. Maybe some similar things, but I’ve never worked in a place like this before.”
There’s a touch of awe to my tone, and Veronica softens. “You’ll get used to it.”
Hudson beams. “Go on out and take your break,” he tells Veronica. “I’m gonna make some coffee and chat to Gabby here about the job, get her up to speed.”
My stomach gurgles again as my chest leaps.Did he say coffee?
Veronica gives me a formal nod before she leaves. The kitchen feels huge without all of the people in here, a wide, open space with steel counters lining up in rows and overhead shelves jammed with various pots, pans and instruments. I don’t even know what half of them are.
Hudson pulls some stools over to one of the taller counters, pushing a bar stool towards me with his foot. “Have a seat. Want some coffee?”
My mouth waters as he moves over to a monster of a machine that has steam lazily curling out of it, pouring gleaming dark magic into two cups and sliding one over to me with some cream and sugar as he takes a seat.
“I take mine black,” he adds. “But my pack are animals and like to cram theirs with cream.”
My hand withdraws from hovering over the cream, and he jerks, his eyes widening comically.
“I’m kidding,” he says softly. His hand nudges the cream towards me. “Load yourself up. Even if you are one of those coffee types.”
Taking him at his teasing words, I hesitantly top up my cup before wrapping my hands around the warmth and taking a sip.
It takes a lot of effort to stop the moan in my throat from making an appearance. Coffee really is my kryptonite. I can’t remember having coffee this good. Ever.
Hudson waits for me to drink, his eyes watching me closely.
“So,” he begins, when I set the cup down. “You already have some experience.”
I nod, my fingers tracing a pattern over the steel counter. “Some, but the diners I’ve worked in weren’t anything like this. Does it matter?”
I bite my lip, hoping my honesty doesn’t put him off.
He smiles crookedly. “Experience is always welcome, but enthusiasm is what I’m interested in here. Everything else can be taught. What do you think of my pride and joy?”
He waves exaggeratedly towards the restaurant, and I bite back a smile.
Thinking on it for a moment, I decide to go with the truth.
“I sat on your steps the other night,” I tell him. “I thought it felt like… happiness. Like a moment in time, full of warmth and laughter. I wanted to be part of it.”
Hudson swivels back to face me, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
“That was… unexpected,” he murmurs. “But I understand what you mean completely. Thank you for sharing it with me.”
Now I’m embarrassed. I shouldn’t have said anything, and I bury my face in my cup to avoid meeting his eyes. “Thank you. For all of this, I mean.”
He takes a sip of his coffee, long fingers curling around the cup as he watches me.
“You’re not what I expected, you know,” he says suddenly.
I blink, confused, and he groans. “That sounded weird. I just meant… Nate told us that he’d met you. He didn’t mean to freak you out the other night.”
My cheeks flush. “I know. I’m probably a little jumpy.” My admission makes him nod.
“That’s completely understandable,” he says carefully. “Your safety should always be a priority.”
