No one had ever helped, especially not my ex. He said why bother when I'd just clean it before he could get to it.
But this was something else. Hudson was making my life better, more manageable. I could see how this could be our life, lazy Saturday mornings where he made us breakfast, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, and maybe other activities.
He seemingly fit into my life in a way that no one else ever had. Even with my parents, I felt like a bit of an outsider. I wasn't quite part of their pair, and with my ex, I felt set apart. Alone.
In contrast, Hudson and I were a team. A good one. I cleaned my bathroom, then picked up the bedroom just as he was entering the room with his vacuum. He flashed me a grin as he proceeded to move around.
I went to the kitchen, sitting on the stool to check my phone. I wanted to see if Gus had said anything about bringing Ayla home early. This was about the time I usually got that message, even though she was supposed to stay through Sunday.
Instead, I had a message from Eve reminding me of the town hall this upcoming week. It was about my shop and the progress of the installation of the pipes. Everyone wanted to talk about when their shop would be fixed, and what better way to do that than to have everyone present at the same meeting?
But the real reason was that Bill had insisted on it. He wanted to disparage my shop and what I was trying to do. He made me feel like I was doing something wrong. A pit formed in my stomach.
I heard the vacuum turn off, and I rolled back my shoulders. I hated that I wasn't sure what was going on with my lease. Did this mean that it would be easier for Eve to not renew it? Would she decide to fix the other shops first?
I hated that my mind went there, and I'd assumed the worst. All the vile things Bill had said to me the last few months would be said again and louder in front of the entire town.
Everything that had felt so good this morning disappeared. I chewed my lip, wondering how I was going to handle it. It wasn'tlike I could avoid the meeting. I had to stand up for myself and the shop. I had to listen to Bill's insults and somehow deflect them.
He made me feel like what I was trying to do was wrong. And I hated that.
My phone was plucked out of my hand. I turned to find Hudson reading the message I hadn't been able to stop focusing on. The one where Eve told me the date and time of the town hall, requesting my presence.
He raised a brow. "What's this for?"
I licked my dry lips. "Bill called for a meeting. Eve's saying it's an update for the renovations, but he wants to discuss not renewing my lease."
Hudson's eyes narrowed. "Eve is allowing him to call town hall meetings now?"
I shuddered. "He'll be able to say all those horrid things in front of everyone."
His jaw tightened. "I don't like this. Are you sure that's what's going on?"
"Bill told me he'd do this if I didn't leave."
He handed the phone back to me. "I don't like this," he said again,
"I don't either." But what choice did I have? The future of my shop wasn't set like everyone else's. Belle just opened her shop, and there were plans to expand and renovate her space. Why would Eve want to deal with me and all the issues that came with selling lingerie in Christmas Town? "Maybe Bill's right."
Hudson braced a hand on the counter next to my shoulder. "He doesn't get to dictate what you do. We're going to stay and fight."
"We'regoing to?" I couldn't help but ask.
"That's right." He pushed off the counter and paced in front of my chair. "We can't let him win. He doesn't get to dictate which shops stay and which ones go."
I chewed my lower lip. "He has been here a long time."
"That doesn't mean that his opinion should be weighed heavier."
"It shouldn't, but I have a feeling it does. Eve wants to keep everyone happy, and I'm the new girl. I'm the only shop owner to get a short-term lease. We all know what this was, a probationary period, and my time is up."
"I don't like the sound of that."
I shrugged. "Maybe I should make it easier on everyone and not renew my lease. Just pack up and move somewhere else."
"You love that town. Ayla can do her own thing, and everyone keeps an eye on her."
I nodded miserably. "She loves it too."
