“What’s that smile for?” Quinn asks, leaning forward in her seat.
Crap. I have been daydreaming about Hudson and probably grinning like a crazy person. “Nothing. Just thinking.”
“About?” Quinn pushes, and when I don’t reply right away, Quinn jumps back in. “Could you be thinking about Hudson and the way he looks at you when he believes your brothers won’t notice?”
“Why would you say that?”
AnddoesHudson look at me that way? I wonder. Yes, we have chemistry, but he’ll never act on it. Never gives me any indication that he will, something I chalk up to Bro Code. Not making a move on his best friend’s sister.
A broad smile spreads over Quinn’s face. “Look at that blush. You want him! I knew it!”
I shake my head. It doesn’t matter how I feel. “He’s not going to act on whatever it is between us because of Braden, and I’ve come to terms with that.” I push myself from my seat and pick up my handbag, determined to head over to the clinic before dark.
“Bri, wait.” Quinn stands. “Look, I know you’ve had a rough time with men and relationships.”
Raising an eyebrow, I do my best to withhold sarcasm as I reply. “Because they always want something from me like access to my agent brother or uncle or an introduction to a famous athlete. And once they get what they want, I’m expendable. Yeah, I haven’t had an easy time.” And maybe I am a touch bitter about it, too.
Quinn’s expression softens. “Well, then you need to remember there’s nothing Hudson needs from you, so if he won’t make the first move, then maybe you should. Promise me you’ll think about it?”
I walk past Quinn and lift the dress from the hook behind my door. “I’ll think about it.” It is the best I can do.
A little while later, I am following Waze directions to the clinic, making sure I don’t get lost, despite the fact I’ve been there before. The farther downtown I drive, the more the buildings grow dilapidated. Graffiti covers much of the exteriors, and boys congregate in groups on street corners. I grip the wheel tighter, and finally the female voice directs me to turn right and I’ve reached my destination.
I pull my Audi into a gravel-covered parking lot and cut the engine. Braden’s car isn’t within sight, and I’ll kill him if he forgot to wait for me. Key fob in hand and bag slung over my arm, I exit the vehicle, then open the back door to grab Willow’s dress I hung on a hook and hold it in one hand.
The moment I step onto the gravel, I curse my high heels that wobble on the pebbles beneath me.
“Hey, ma’am.”
I spin at the sound of the male voice and nearly fell on my ass, but I manage to right myself. A stooped older man with a tattered jacket, too heavy for this time of year, stains on his tan pants, and ripped sneakers weaves his way toward me.
“Got some money, pretty lady?” He comes close enough for me to smell the alcohol on his breath.
I instinctively step back and fight to remain steady on my heels. Although a part of me is scared I am alone with him, another part feels bad. Who knows what circumstances led him to this point in his life? Still, I am torn between giving him money I fear might go for alcohol and turning him away. I opt to hope he uses the cash for food.
I slide my purse down my shoulder so I can open it up and hand him money.
Taking me off guard, he grabs for the bag. I jerk back, and my heels give way. My ankle twists and I fall, my hands taking the brunt of my tumble as I slide, gravel digging into my palms and my hip hitting the ground hard.
The man bends over me, and I gasp, prepared to knee him in the balls if I have to, but before I can kick out, someone lifts the man by his jacket collar and pulls him away from me.
“Jimmy, back off,” a familiar voice says. “You’re scaring the lady.” Hudson’s brown eyes rake over me, concern etching his handsome features. “Are you okay?”
I nod. “He just startled me.”
Jimmy shuffles his feet on the ground, unable to meet Hudson’s gaze. “I just wanted to help get the money she was reaching for.” He pulls at his dirty shirt, his hands shaking.
Hudson scowls, and I have to admit even that glower is sexy.
“Well, that’s not the way to handle someone offering to help you.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out cash, handing it to the man. “Go get something to eat and quit bothering our visitors or I’m going to have to call the cops.”
After grasping the cash like the lifeline it is, Jimmy walks away, muttering to himself, and Hudson turns his laser focus on me.
“Come on. Let me help you,” he says in a gruff tone.
I glance at my palms and wince. “Can you grab my wrists and pull me up?”
His gaze zeroes in on my hurt hands, and that ferocious expression deepens. “Yeah. Reach up,” he says, but he glances at my heels. “Kick those things off.”
