I appreciated this version of Hudson, and I loved that he was putting in even more effort with Avery as well. And apparently she did too.
“When did you get so smart?”
“I’ve always been this smart.” She flashed me a sassy grin. “Which is why you should do as I say and text Hudson that he has one chance to sweep you off your feet with the most romantic date ever.”
I rolled my eyes. “We might’ve watched too many rom-coms lately if that’s your suggestion.”
“I’m serious, Sis.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Throw down the gauntlet and let him pull out all the stops. See what he does.”
My heart wasn’t ready to trust the leap, but with my sister urging me on, I sent him a text.
Me
Avery thinks we should go on a romantic date, planned by you. One chance for you to sweep me off my feet.
His reply was scary fast, as though he’d been waiting for this moment.
Hudson
Saturday. 7 p.m. I’ll send everything you need. But only if this is what you want.
Before I gave in to my fears, I texted back one word.
Me
Okay.
Avery did a little dance, while I tried not to think about the leap of faith she’d just goaded me into taking. But Saturday was only two days away, and that time went flying by.
Three hours before our date,I discovered how seriously Hudson took the challenge when Lila Voss showed up on my doorstep. She was my favorite makeup artist, and she arrived with her hands full.
When I opened the door, she grinned at me. “Someone’s been holding out on me. Hudson Holt personally called and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Said only the best would do for you tonight.”
I laughed despite the butterflies rioting in my stomach. “He really went all out, didn’t he?”
“Understatement of the century.” Lila lifted the garment bag higher. “Wait till you see what else he has in store for you tonight.”
“Come in.”
Lila followed me upstairs to my suite. After hanging the bag in my walk-in closet, she unzipped it with a flourish. “Close your eyes for the big reveal.”
When I opened them again, the deep crimson silk had caught the light and shifted to burgundy depending on how it moved. The dress was bold, structured at the bodice with a soft, flowing skirt that would move like water when I walked. It was also the exact shade of the gown I hadn’t been able to wear to the red carpet because of Maddie’s meddling.
My breath caught. “He remembered.”
“He also sent shoes, jewelry, the whole works.” My eyes filled with tears, and she wagged her finger at me. “No crying. I can only do so much with waterproof makeup.”
“Sorry, it just feels like it took a lot to get to this moment.”
“I understand.”
She didn’t expand upon those two soft words as she unpacked her supplies, but they felt deep for some reason. That knowledge made me notice the tiredness around her eyes that cosmetics couldn’t quite hide.
As she did my makeup, she was her usual chatty self, but something lingered beneath her banter tonight.
“You okay?”
Lila paused, the brush hovering near my cheek. “Yeah. Just dealing with some man troubles myself. But at least I don’t have to do it with the whole world watching, only my family.”
