‘What do you think?’ he ventured when she said nothing at all, just looked away from him, watching passersby in the distance.
‘I think I’m an emotional mess right now.’ She looked back at him. ‘But I’m not saying no,’ she added.
‘You’re not?’
After a beat, she admitted, ‘I’ve wanted a bit more than friendship for a while. With you, I mean.’ She covered her face briefly with her hands. ‘I’m out of practice with this.’ And then her positivity waned. ‘After I kept the truth about my family hidden, I thought you’d never be interested. Not after your history with Lucinda and the way she lied to you.’
‘I understand why you didn’t tell anyone about your family; you had good reasons. You can’t compare what you did to the lies Lucinda told. I don’t think you’re a terrible person for doing it either; I think you have a lot to work through. And I also lied to you, remember. I didn’t tell you about the divorce. I wanted to keep that part of my life private and so I did for a while.’
‘Are you sure you’re ready to start dating?’
‘Never been more sure.’ He leaned in closer.
‘Hudson, I?—’
‘Don’t say anything.’ All he wanted to do was kiss her. He was hyper aware of how close they were now, how much he wanted this.
But the moment broke when a couple of doctors walked past. He hadn’t even heard them approaching.
‘I should get back inside,’ she said.
‘You should. Go see your sister again.’
Although he wished they’d found somewhere they wouldn’t be interrupted, a moment to themselves so he could show her how strongly he felt about her already.
27
When Nadia went inside the hospital, Hudson went with her. He put a hand to her cheek. ‘You sure you’re okay?’
She put her hand on top of his against her skin. The gesture felt nearly as intimate as the almost-kiss outside. If it hadn’t been for those two doctors walking by, it might have happened. But perhaps it was better that it hadn’t. Not yet, not here.
‘I’m ready as I’ll ever be,’ she said.
‘I’ll get back to the airbase before they start wondering where I am.’
He left her to it and then she was on her way to see Monica again, back to see her sister and her niece, apprehensive about where they went from here.
Monica looked up in surprise as Nadia approached her bed. ‘I thought you weren’t ever coming back.’
‘I just needed some time.’ She looked at her adorable niece, the baby sleeping so soundly. ‘How is she?’
‘We had a good night, she’s feeding better and I’m less sore.’
‘Good.’ She took her bag from her shoulder and set it down. ‘I’m sorry I stayed away yesterday.’
‘I’m sorry I drove you away – that seems to be my strong point.’ They shared a smile of understanding. ‘Was it me talking about Archie?’
Nadia didn’t have to confirm it; her sister knew.
‘Archie was devastated that things were never the same with you and him after that day at the house. We got together by chance; I know that’s difficult to believe.’
‘Archie has talked to me about it already,’ said Nadia. ‘It’s just still a lot to take in.’
Monica reached over and pressed her hand lightly on Bella’s blanket as if reminding her baby that she was right there. She was a good mum; Nadia could tell even in the little time she’d spent with her sister.
‘After we got together, Archie kept saying we should talk to you, but I kept asking him to wait. I think I was worried that he’d tell you and somehow, you’d persuade him that I was so terrible, he really didn’t want to get involved.’
‘Maybe I would’ve done. He was my friend, Monica. We were close, especially after we lost the baby. We weren’t a couple any more but he was someone I knew I could turn to, I could rely on. Until…’
