Two weeks passed too quickly.
“I can’t believe this is the same Mari Landry who called Hudson Gable—and I quote—‘a robotic control freak with a ruler up his ass.’” Anica smirked at me over her coffee cup as we watched Hudson chat with Devonna across the restaurant.
“People change,” I muttered, stealing a bite of Anica’s croissant. “And I never said that.”
“You absolutely did. On at least three separate occasions.” She snatched her plate back. “Get your own pastry, thief.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. Having Anica and Devonna in Chicago felt like home, even if they were determined to tease me mercilessly about my newfound ability to work with Hudson.
“He’s not that bad once you get to know him,” I admitted. “We balance each other out professionally.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Anica’s knowing look made me squirm. “Professionally. Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”
“Shut up,” I hissed, glancing to make sure Hudson hadn’t heard. “It’s not like that.”
“The way he looks at you says otherwise.” She popped the last bite of croissant into her mouth with a smug expression.
Before I could respond, Devonna and Hudson rejoined us, both looking pleased.
“Hudson was just telling me about that incredible starlight ceiling you designed for the Kussikov-Martin wedding,” Devonna said, sliding back into her seat. “It sounds amazing. I can’t believe you never mentioned it.”
“It’s still in the planning stages,” I said, relieved to discuss work instead of my nonexistent love life. “Hudson deserves most of the credit for making sure it actually happened.”
“Hardly,” Hudson interjected. “The constellation mapping was entirely Mari’s idea. I just handled the logistics.”
I glanced at him, surprised by the generous attribution. Since when did Hudson Gable share credit so easily?
“Well, it sounds incredible,” Anica said, patting my wrist across the table. “We should consider something similar for this wedding we have in the Hamptons next spring, don’t you think, D?”
The conversation shifted to Knot Your Average Wedding and eventually to the expansion plans, but I kept sneaking glances at Hudson, puzzled by his uncharacteristic deference. He caught me looking once and smiled. Actually smiled. For me. What the hell?
“…Because of Garrett.” Devonna’s words pulled me out of my head.
“Is that the security specialist you’ve been boinking?” I asked, sipping my coffee.
Devonna wrinkled her nose, pushing a tightly wound curl out of her face. “I hate you used that word.”
“Sorry,” I said, giving her a saccharine smile. “Is that the security specialist you’ve been fucking?”
Anica kicked me under the table, and Hudson hid a grin behind the rim of his coffee mug. “Manners, Mari.”
I shrugged. “Dev doesn’t mind.”
Rolling her eyes, Devonna chuckled. “Yes. Garrett is my friend, and I may occasionally take part in steam-releasing activities with him. But the point is, he’s offered to help with the security for the Kussikov-Martin wedding if you and Hudson would like his help.”
“We’ll discuss it later. Thank you, Devonna.” Hudson spoke, but his attention remained on me. It made me want to squirm in my seat.
“Yeah, what he said. Don’t you have a consultation this afternoon, Gable?” I sent a pointed look towards the clock hanging on the wall. “Shouldn’t you be leaving soon?”
“Trying to get rid of me?”
“Yes,” I said with an evil grin directed towards Devonna and Anica. “There are some terribly impolite topics I’d like to discuss with my friends, unless you’d like to stick around while I ask how many times and in what specific positions Callan nailed Ani before she left.”
“I’m out. Nice meeting you, Ms. Onai, and seeing you again, Mrs. Burkhardt,” Hudson said, jumping to his feet. “Good luck.” He nodded to Devonna and Anica before glaring at me. I gave him the one-finger salute with my favorite finger, which he returned over his shoulder as he left.
I spent the rest of the day in a whirlwind of office tours (I hadn’t done much to the office space Anica had gotten because I’d spent so much time in the shared office with Hudson, which I also showed her and Devonna), venue visits, and catching up. By evening, I was exhausted but happy to have my friends in town, even if their knowing looks whenever I mentioned Hudson were getting annoying.
We were saying our goodbyes outside the restaurant when my phone buzzed with a text from Hudson.
