“Oh?”My mom raised a far-too-enthusiastic brow.
“You should have seen it.She ran outta the place as though Hud had some infectious disease.”Riley chortled.“Might be the first one allergic to his charms.”
“You’re not used to having to work for it,” Griffin observed.Out of all of us, he was the most reserved, only speaking when he had something to say.
“No,” I admitted.“But I’m looking forward to it.Now, can we please talk about something else?Maybe how Lucy’s cousin is Daphne Miller, Ri’s high school crush?”I raised a brow.
He snorted.“There’s nothing to talk about.That ship sailed.”
“Such a shame about Mack.”My mother shook her head, referring to Daphne’s father.“He was a good man.And then that loser ex of hers.Raising that baby alone can’t be easy.”
I didn’t imagine Ri’s fists clench.
My father turned his eyes to Griffin.“Everything good?”he asked as we got situated around the table, piling our plates high.Knowing Griff rarely volunteered information, we all made an effort to extract it out of him.
“Been quiet for the most part.Just the standard.Theft’s up a bit though.”He turned to Ri.“You got cameras at the jobsite?”
“Yeah,” Ri confirmed.“But I can check in with the guys, make sure they keep their eyes open.”
Griff nodded, appeased as we all dug into our food, falling into our easy banter.Although I hadn’t gotten anything done on my album, there was no place else I’d rather be.
Chapter 4
My otherwise perfectly fine day had taken a swift left turn as I considered the back of my SUV that evening.Half of my new couch was hanging out, the bungee cords I’d rigged up to support it hanging uselessly alongside.
The garage sale had had a few items I needed, including the love seat that would fit perfectly in my living room—just not so perfectly in my SUV apparently.Something I’d unfortunately realized while still a few blocks from home.
I was considering my options, including leaving the damn thing, when headlights flashed behind me.I turned to look as a now-familiar black truck pulled to the curb, inwardly groaning at my luck when Hudson jumped out.
Instead of looking smug as he had this morning at the coffee shop, his expression was that of concern as he stalked toward me.
“You okay?What happened?”he demanded by way of greeting.
“I’m fine,” I assured him, dumbfounded by why he’d look so concerned.“I just seem to have underestimated the size of my vehicle.”I hooked a thumb toward my SUV with a wince.
He appeared to fight a chuckle, regarding me warmly.“Would seem so,” he agreed.“Good thing it looks like it would fit just right in the back of my truck.”He still looked as though he was suppressing a smile.
“Oh no, I’m fine,” I was quick to say, shaking my head.
He cocked his head as though enjoying this interaction entirely too much.“Oh yeah?So, what’s the plan here then?”
I looked at my SUV and then back to him.“Well, I think maybe it looks good right about here,” I mumbled.
He grinned, displaying a dimple that made my stomach do a full summersault.“Oh yeah?Going to decorate the curb up real nice then?”
I narrowed my gaze, hands going to my hips.“Maybe.”
His countenance softened as though sensing how far my stubbornness could truly take us.“The curb is nice and all, but somehow I don’t think that’s what you intended.So, how about we use my truck so you’re not out whatever you paid, and this thing doesn’t become a moldy mess with the thunderstorm we’re about to get?I’ll help you carry it inside and be out of your hair.”He held up his hands in a show of sincerity just as a rumble of thunder sounded overhead.
My shoulders slumped as I realized I had no other option.“Okay, thank you,” I relented.“I live just a few minutes up the road.”
“I’m Hudson, by the way.”He extended a hand.“We haven’t been properly introduced.”
“Lucy,” I replied as his callused hand wrapped around mine and squeezed.
“Nice to meet you.And it’s no problem,” he assured me as he moved to drop his tailgate.“You okay to help me lift that end?”He nodded toward the end of the couch closest to me as the first drops of rain began to fall.
“Yep,” I agreed, and we lifted the couch together, carrying it to his truck.He did all the heavy lifting, with me merely directing as we slid it into the bed of his truck.
