Hudson takesus to the fanciest taco place in the city. I mean it. There are linen napkins and water goblets at this restaurant. I feel underdressed in my jeans skirt, flip-flops, and tank top but it doesn’t appear to bother Hudson in the least. They seat us at a spot by a window that overlooks the lake.
I order one steak taco and one fish taco with a side of rice and beans. I should’ve asked Hudson what he was going to choose because I’m pretty sure his selection of the fajita quesadilla is going to be better than mine.
Maybe he’ll share.
Once our drinks are delivered, a margarita for me and a beer for him, he settles back in his chair. “So, what are you going to do about McAllister?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, honey. Are you going to seek counsel?”
That’s a fancy way to ask if I’m getting a lawyer. “I can’t afford one.” I hold up a hand. “And don’t tell me you’ll pay for one.”
“I wouldn’t dare?” He smirks as he sips his beer. “But, as you mention it, I don’t know why you wouldn’t allow me to help with this.” He places is glass on the table. “I know you’ll pay me back once you win.”
“That’s too much, though. It could be thousands of dollars needed to retain a lawyer. I can’t do that.”
“Is this how it’s going to be with us?”
“What to do you mean?”
“Is our whole relationship going to be one big financial ledger?” He frowns. “Are you going to keep a tally of everything we owe each other?”
“No. Don’t be ridiculous. When wouldyouever oweme?”
“Willa. Just because you’re going through all this bullshit right now doesn’t mean it’s going to last. Also, there’s going to be times when the shoe is on the other foot. I probably won’t have money problems, but what if I hurt myself, need surgery? I’d probably need help getting to the bathroom. Does that mean I couldn’t count on you?”
“Of course you could. I’d help you to the bathroom, but this is bigger than that.”
“When you have our babies. It won’t be me carrying them for nine months, doing all the hard work to grow a child. And the birth? I’ve heard that hurts like hell. Don’t you think I’d owe you for that too?Ican’t have a baby. I mean, I’d owe you millions for having my child.”
I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry at his words. He’s mentioned children twice now. Does that mean he’s serious? “Hudson, this is a ridiculous comparison.”
“This is just a blip in the life of Willa Clariday. You won’t be unemployed forever. You’ll rebound, and if you let me at least help you in some way, maybe that rebound will happen sooner than you think.”
“I don’t want your family, your mother, to think I’m using you. I don’t wantyouto think that.”
“Fuck all what my mother thinks. Do you think she was wealthy when she married my father? No. She’s from Aurora, for Christ’s sake. She’s gotten so caught up in being an Adler that she’s forgotten that part of her life.”
“Aurora?”
“Yeah.”
“Wow.” Aurora? That’s not the nicest suburb of Chicago. It’s not the worst either.
Our food is delivered, and I was correct in my food assessment. I should’ve gotten what Hudson got. Time to negotiate. “I’ll trade you one of my tacos for a piece of your quesadilla.”
“Tell you what, I’ll share my quesadilla if you at least think about letting me help you find a lawyer. I went to college with an attorney. Sometimes they don’t charge you unless they win, then they take a percentage.”
That could work. “Deal.”
Yep. Hudson’s was better than mine. I’ll remember that next time.
ChapterThirty-Two
HUDSON
Willa isin the shower after a lively round of afternoon sex. I could get used to working half a day and coming home to my gorgeous girlfriend. It sort of makes life worth living, knowing you’ve got someone at home happy to see you.
