But he must’ve been a glutton for punishment, because he was about to welcome that beating all over again. He wasn’t going to live the rest of his life wondering what might’ve happened if he’d tried.
“You don’t give yourself credit for much, do you? You affect me a whole lot more than you believe.”
She frowned, her brows drawn in, as if the thought hadn’t ever occurred to her. Had he really done such a horrible job at telling her how amazing she was? That she was everything he could possibly want in a friend, and more than he’d ever dreamed of in a partner?
And how hopelessly desperate he was for her to be his.
He plucked CB from her and set the dog on the ground, clutching her leash before grabbing Kenna’s hand. He led them to a secluded corner, out of earshot of the few stragglers left, knowing she wouldn’t want an audience.
“I realize this isn’t the ideal place to do this, but I have a few things I need to say.”
“Can it wait? I have to—”
“Kenna.” He squeezed her hand, infusing every ounce of urgency he felt into the touch. “No, it can’t. I’ve waited too long already.”
She stared at him for a charged moment before finally nodding.
“It just occurred to me that I’ve done a shit job at telling you how amazin’ you are.”
“Hud—”
“You’re beautiful and smart and committed and so fucking strong. You’re the most loyal person I’ve ever met. I love you like crazy for everything you are, but for everything you’re not, too. You’re not perfect. You’re headstrong and stubborn and competitive as hell.”
“You’re a fine one to talk.”
His lips quirked up on the side, encouraged that she hadn’t told him to shut up and stormed off in the middle of his declaration. “And you don’t put up with my shit. You give as good as you get, and I love how much you challenge me. I never could’ve hoped to find a better match even in all my trips around the world, because you’re here.You’remy perfect match, Kenna.”
She hadn’t moved—had barely even breathed as far as he could tell—but she was listening because her eyes shone in the dim light of the room.
He released her hand to cup her face, forcing himself not to lean down and kiss her one last time. Praying he’d get a million more chances after tonight. “This doesn’t have to be it for us. Be with me, Kenna. Please.”
She stared up at him, her eyes darting back and forth between his. He could practically see the wheels turning in her mind—trying to figure out a way to make it work between them?—and her hesitation lifted his hopes like a hot air balloon. Made them soar in anticipation of her saying yes.
“I know it was you, you old witch!” someone yelled from across the room. “You left that dead squirrel under my bed. I found you creepin’ around my place the night before it happened.”
“Oh, please, you can’t find anything in the dark. Believe me, I know. We were married for forty years!”
Kenna cringed, darting her eyes toward the commotion across the room. Edna and Earl stood toe-to-toe, the remaining partygoers staring on with wide eyes.
“Dammit,” she hissed. “Edna’s gonna get herself arrested. Again.” She turned back to him, her eyes sad and confused and unsure as she darted her gaze down to CB and back to him. “I’m sorry, but I have to defuse that before someone calls the sheriff.”
He’d just thought how much she was needed in Havenbrook and how fantastic she was at acting mayor. He couldn’t very well stand in her way now, despite wanting nothing more than to grip her by the shoulders and demand she answer him.
With a resigned sigh, Hudson nodded and dropped his arms to his sides, stepping back as Kenna strode toward the commotion. Hoping like hell she wasn’t striding right out of his life.
Hudson satat his momma’s kitchen table, swirling the lowball of whiskey in front of him. Lilah had brought a bottle over—to numb the pain, if he knew his sister at all—and he sure as hell wasn’t going to say no.
By the time Lilah and his mom had managed to drag him home an hour ago, Kenna had still been elbow-deep in the situation she was attempting to defuse between Edna and Earl. Hudson’d hoped she’d call him when she was done so they could finish their discussion, but so far, his phone had stayed silent.
Lilah and Caleb had escaped to the living room—they’d been doing a lot of escaping these past few days now that Hudson was actually around to notice. And he was pretty sure he was going to have to have theyou better not break my baby sister’s heart or I’ll break your facetalk with his partner.
“You wanna tell me what’s on your mind?” Momma asked, taking the seat next to his and pouring herself two fingers of whiskey.
He’d only seen her drink hard liquor a handful of times in his life, but he supposed she needed numbing most of all. Couldn’t be easy sending your only son to war when your husband died at its hands.
As for what was on his mind… Where should he start? It was a fucking maze up there, his thoughts and worries all jumbled up with what he needed to do. Which, naturally, conflicted with what he wanted to do.
He sipped his whiskey before placing his glass back on the table and lifting his gaze to meet hers. “What would Dad have wanted for me?”
