“Yeah, no Vegas,” Hudson says, shaking his head, and we all laugh at that. “But New York is nice.”
The way he says it hits me in the chest like a brick.
Yeah, he definitely sounds different. I’m not sure it’s happy, but…
It’s something.
We say our goodbyes, Alex and Mack taking off down the street—side by side—and Andre and Paul get into their Uber, leaving me and Hudson. Alone.
“Guess we should head back,” Hudson says, his voice full of melancholy.
“Yeah, probably,” I say as I start walking toward the hotel. Hudson follows me immediately, pulling out his phone for the directions.
It’s dark out, but the lights lining the shops and cafes make it feel almost cozy.
I take my time, my stride slow, and Hudson matches my pace. Usually he’s a lot faster, walking like there’s a damn fire.
“This place is…” He swallows. “Not so bad, I guess.”
“You guess?” I chuckle. “Who are you and what have you done with Hudson Daniels?”
Hudson shoves me. “Fuck off.”
I let out a laugh and it’s genuine. “Sorry. I had to.”
He shakes his head. The silence between us isn’t tense, but it isn’t easy either.
I hate silence.
Especiallyawkwardsilence when I think I said something to piss someone off.
“What, uh… what changed your mind about it?” I ask carefully.
Hudson stops in front of a shop, looking in the window. I come to stand beside him.
“I don’t know, just—”
I note it’s a coffee shop and a bookstore in one.
The lights are warm, and it looks like a whole fucking vibe. Cozy. Quiet.
I glance at Hudson, who looks at it like it holds all the answers to questions only he knows.
“Want to go in?” I ask.
He turns to look at me, familiar amber eyes glistening with excitement.
“Really?”
I shrug.
“I mean… it’s not like we’re in a rush,” Hudson adds. “Hotel’s not going anywhere, right?”
A slow smile forms on his face, and my chest tightens.
“Sure,” I say, rubbing my chest, trying to eradicate the tight feeling.
I swear Hudson looks like a kid on Christmas morning.
