Hudson cleared his throat. “This is... unexpected. But intriguing.”
I stared at him. “Intriguing?”
“Would you prefer I say no?” he asked.
“No, I just—” I stopped, realizing I didn’t actually want to say no either. “It’s unexpected, like you said.”
“We don’t need an answer tonight,” Lia assured us. “Take a few days to think about it. But we really hope you’ll say yes.”
After a few more minutes of discussion and effusive praise about the party, Lia and Manny excused themselves to return to their guests, leaving Hudson and me alone on the balcony.
I leaned against the railing, the cool night air brushing my flushed cheeks. “So. What just happened?”
Hudson moved to stand beside me, looking out at the lake. “What do you think?”
“I think I need another drink,” I said honestly.
“I think you’ve had plenty,” he countered, but his tone was gentle rather than judgmental.
“Probably.” I turned to face him. “Could we actually do this? Work together without killing each other?”
“We managed with this party.”
“This was two months. The wedding is a lot farther away and much more involved.”
“True.” He studied me for a moment. “But it’s a win for us both, isn’t it? The exposure from a wedding this high-profile would get you your bank loan for sure, and...”
“Your parents would be impressed,” I finished for him. “Especially with the Modern Wedding feature you have coming up.”
Something flashed across his face, but it was gone so quickly I thought I might have imagined it. Maybe I did have too many drinks.
“We should discuss this when you’re more... clear-headed,” he suggested.
“I’m perfectly clear-headed,” I protested, though the way the city lights were slightly blurring suggested otherwise. “I’ve had a few drinks. I’m not incapacitated.”
“How many is ‘a few’?”
I waved my hand. “I lost count. But I know my limits.”
“Clearly,” he said as I wobbled in my heels.
“Don’t get judgy, Gable. It’s a party. I’m celebrating.”
“What exactly are you celebrating? We haven’t agreed on anything yet.”
I raised my empty glass. “I’m celebrating not losing to you. And you didn’t lose to me. It’s a win-win, like you said.”
“Like I said.”
“It really is the best way to look at it. Now, I say we rejoin the party and continue this discussion tomorrow. When I’m ‘clear-headed’ enough for your standards.”
I pushed off the railing and immediately regretted it as the world tilted. Hudson’s hand shot out to steady me, his grip firm on my bare arm.
“Careful,” he murmured, his face suddenly much closer to mine.
“I’m fine,” I insisted, though I didn’t pull away from his touch. “Just turned too quickly.”
“Right.” His gaze held mine. “Perhaps we should call it a night. The party is winding down, anyway. We already prepped the clean up crew with instructions.”
