"Dogs are great. But you have to walk and feed them."
Ayla nodded. "I'm very responsible."
I touched her hair. "You are."
"What are you doing today?" Ayla refocused on Hudson.
He folded an arm behind his head, making his bicep bulge. "I'll head over to my family's at some point. Mom makes a big dinner in the afternoon."
"That sounds nice."
"What are you going to do?" Hudson asked.
"We have a lazy day planned of playing with new toys and eating the cookies your mom sent."
"You aren't going anywhere for dinner?"
"We'll stay here." I hoped he didn't say anything about how sad it was to spend the day alone, or just the two of us. I was used to it growing up, but it still felt like something was missing.
"Maybe you'll have a visitor later."
Ayla bounced on the couch cushion. "Are you coming over to see my bike?"
"I want to see the bike, you,andyour mother."
"Oh, I'm sure you'll be too busy with your family," I said, taking the phone from Ayla. "We don't want to keep you."
I didn't want him to make promises he couldn't keep. I was all-too familiar with expecting my ex to do things and him never coming through. We would spend the day together, and it would be fine. I didn't need empty promises.
Hudson's eyes widened. "I don't have to be at my parents for a bit?—"
"I'm sure you're busy today." I got up and moved toward the kitchen, refilling my coffee mug. "And I have to make breakfast."
"I'll let you enjoy your day then. Merry Christmas, Angela."
"Merry Christmas," I said, refusing to look at his face.
I took a few deep breaths, aware that I was trembling. I wanted what he was offering. I wanted to look forward to him showing up. But I didn't want to get my hopes up only to be disappointed. And I especially didn't want that for Ayla. She deserved better.
I'd always be here for her. I was the person she could count on. Everyone else was a wild card. Even men who waited patiently while your daughter rattled off every present they got on Christmas morning.
CHAPTER 17
HUDSON
Iwas surprised when Ayla called when she was opening her presents. I felt included in their morning, and when Angela's face came onto the screen, I wished I was sitting on that couch with them.
But when I said something about coming over, she got upset. I thought she'd said that Ayla's father didn't see her on the holiday, so it couldn't be that he was coming over. Did she not want me to come over? Was she seeing someone else?
Last night, she'd kissed me. I might have made the initial move, but she finished it, placing her lips on mine. I couldn't imagine she'd kiss me if she was seeing someone else. She was too good of a person. She was honest and, from what I knew of her, completely focused on Ayla and her business.
No, she wasn't seeing anyone else. So what spooked her? Had her ex made promises he never kept? Had her parents?
Did she not trust that I'd be there for her? I'd shown up last night and followed through. I'd gone above and beyond anything a friend would have done. So if she didn't trust me after that, then it could be a deeper issue with her.
I could be the man she should have had all along. I'd be the man she could count on now and in the future.
I hadn't felt this determined about something since I started my business and joined my brothers' company.
