I guess he’s changing the subject. Sort of. At least the two have stopped bickering, so that’s good. I don’t want Hudson to sever his ties with her or his family. No matter how angry he gets at her, he loves her. And she, obviously, feels the same about him.
Standing, I walk over to the island. “I was fired because my supervisor had a thing for me.”
Mrs. Adler makes a scoffing sound.
Glancing back at her, I repeat. “He did. He asked me out every Friday at the end of the day for months.” Looking back at Mr. Adler, I tell him about meeting Hudson, Hudson’s gifts, and Spencer’s reaction to the flowers, candy, and the rest.
“He retaliated against you.”
“That appears to be the case.” Hudson’s next to me, his arm around my shoulders.
Still directed at me, Mr. Adler asks, “You spoke to human resources?”
“Verbally, yes.”
“They advised her not to submit anything in writing, Dad.”
“Did you speak with Mac?” His question is directed at Hudson.
“Not yet.”
“Let me take care of it.”
“No.” I hold up my hand. “No thank you, sir. I’m fine.”
Mrs. Adler, still sitting at the table but close enough to hear it all, says snidely, “Of course, you are. You’re living with my son now. You’re set for life.”
I’ve had about enough. “I’m notlivingwith Hudson. I’m staying the weekend with my boyfriend. I have my own apartment. My own money.” Not really, but that’s none of her business. She doesn’t need to know I’m a day out from having no electricity or cell phone service. “I don’t need Hudson in that way.”
“You’re unemployed. How long are your funds going to last?”
Hudson’s about to join in the fray. Holding up my hand up, I stop him. “That’s none of your business or your concern. I don’t seek your approval, nor do I care to have it. I’m sorry you don’t like me for your son, but that’s not your choice to make.”
“It certainly is my business.”
“She’s right, Mother. My personal life stopped being your concern a long time ago.”
“Your personal life, as you call it, reflects on all of us.”
“So?”
“Do not be flippant, Hudson James Max––”
“Come along, Duchess. Let’s leave these two lovebirds to enjoy their Sunday.”
“Maxwell,” his wife snarls. “I will not be swayed. She is not one of us.”
She’s not one of us?Who says stuff like that except for Lady Catherine de Bourgh from Pride and Prejudice?
“Good lord, Mother.” Hudson runs his free hand over his face. His other arm is still wrapped around my shoulder.
I watch as Mr. Adler takes her by the hand, leading her to the front door. Opening it, he leads Mrs. Adler out. But right before the door shuts, he pokes his head back in and says, “The caterers will be back in an hour or so to clean up.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Hudson and I stand in the same spot for a good three or four minutes. Neither one of is speaking or moving. I finally break the silence. “Well, that was fun.”
It’s all Hudson needs. He laughs loudly. “She’d better get her shit together before we have kids, or she’s only going to have supervised visits with them.”
