“Hey, can I borrow your phone a minute?” Celia held her hand out expectantly.

“Uh, yeah.” I unlocked my screen and handed it over, curiosity lacing my tone.

“Thanks. Mine is acting so stupid. It doesn’t ring half the time, which I figure is part of the reason I never get to the phone.” She dialed some numbers on my phone and waited. “See? Not ringing.” She hit redial and tried again. “Nothing. I guess I need to take my phone in. Thanks.”

“No problem.” I took my phone back and stuck it in my bra. “Oh, I, um, I didn’t end up telling Hudson I saw you yesterday.”

“Decided it was too tricky of a convo?”

“It never came up. And then after today—”

“You aren’t going to tell him,” she finished for me. “I wouldn’t either. I mean, I really don’t want to encourage secrets, but this is really no big deal. And Hudson would make it a big deal.”

“A huge deal.” Especially considering the subject matter of our discussion. “So we’re good keeping it on the down low?”

“I won’t say a word. Pinky swear.”

“Pinky swear.” I waved my little finger in the air, mimicking her.

Hopefully pinky swears actually counted for something in the rich, exotic world of Celia Werner and Hudson Pierce. Because things were going so well in my life, and that meant I had so much to lose. All it would take is a little slip of the tongue from one of us to knock down my beautiful house of cards.

Chapter Nine

The rest of the afternoon flew by as I finished up my marketing plan for my meeting with Aaron Trent. Then, an email from Julia with suggestions for package changes occupied me long enough that I had to put off going to my apartment for another time. All in all, it was a productive day, and by the time Hudson texted that he was on his way, I was famished and eager to see my man.

I stopped at the upstairs bar when I saw purple hair dancing behind the counter. “Liesl!” It hadn’t occurred to me how much I’d miss my co-worker when I changed my schedule to work days.

“Hey, girlfriend!” Liesl knew me well enough to know I preferred to keep my personal space. Instead of a hug, she offered a high five. “You’re looking hot.” She chomped her gum as she looked me up and down. “Things must still be good with Houston Piers.”

“Hudson Pierce,” I corrected. “Say it with me.”

She blew a big bubble and let it pop. “I know his name. Now. I just like dickin’ with you.” She grinned. “Tell me all about you and the psychotically hot one. And start with the sex.”

“That would take a while.” I suddenly wished I wasn’t on my way out, that I had time to sit and chat with my friend. I’d lied to her like I’d lied to everyone when the Hudson/Alayna coupledom was pretend, even though I’d ached to tell her the truth. And at the sight of her, I ached again to tell her how amazing things were going, but I’d have to give her the backstory to explain why things were different than the last time I’d said things were amazing. Given the chance, I’d tell her everything. But I didn’t have that chance at the moment, and a sadness settled over me at the realization of how far apart we’d grown over the last couple of weeks.

She pinned me with a penetrating stare. “But things are good?”

I knew what she was really asking—was I still in control of my obsessing? Was I still sane? “Things are very good, actually. Wanna do lunch some time and catch up?”

Her eyes went wide. “Definitely. I miss you!”

“I miss you, too!” Having Celia as a friend didn’t take the place of Liesl. I’d have to make a better effort to stay in touch.

“You have your purse on your shoulder. Does that mean you’re leaving?” She leaned her elbows on the bar and rested her chin in her hands.

“I am. But I’ll be back. Hudson’s taking me to dinner.”

“Yeah, dinner. That’s what it’s called.” She winked. “But David said you’d been here all day, so why are you coming back? We got your night shifts covered.”

“I know, and thanks so much for that. But I have a meeting later.”

“Oh.” She tugged at her purple strands that I noticed now had blue highlights added. “Wait, does that meeting of yours happen to be with some Trent guy?”

“Yes—” How did she…“Liesl, is there something you forgot to tell me?”

She popped another bubble, the watermelon scent wafting to me. “Yeah, his secretary called a while ago and said he needs to reschedule.” She shrugged.

I clapped my hand to my forehead.

“Sorry. Guess I forgot to mention it.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s actually awesome news. Okay, maybe not exactly awesome since I spent all flipping day preparing to meet with the guy, but now I have Friday night off.”

“And now you’re not coming back.” Liesl put on her best pout.

“Nope. My turn to say sorry.” My phone buzzed with a text from Hudson saying he was outside. “That’s Hudson. Gotta go.”

“You’re choosing him over me?” Liesl loved to play up the drama.

“You don’t have the goods that Hudson does.” I pushed my purse strap higher on my shoulder.

“I have different goods. Still good goods, though. You just need to give them a chance!”

I laughed as I walked away, waving over my shoulder. Liesl was bi-curious and often pretended to flirt with me. At least, I thought she was pretending. Didn’t matter, I had no interest in women sexually. No interest in anyone but the man waiting for me outside.

I stepped out of the club and shielded my eyes against the sun, expecting to see the Maybach. Instead, a black limousine was at the curb. Upon seeing me, Jordan climbed out of the car and circled to open the back door.

“Hey,” I said, to Jordan, ogling him as discreetly as I could. He was too yummy not to.

“Good evening, Ms. Withers.”

I stepped in the car, my heart immediately picking up its pace at the sight of Hudson waiting inside. “A limousine two nights in a row? What’s the occasion this time?”

“I thought we had a nice drive yesterday.”

The door shut behind me, and I was already scooting toward Hudson as he reached for me, pulling me into his lap.

“A nice drive or a nice ride?” I was already slippery down below remembering our trip to the Botanic Gardens. I would not be opposed to a repeat performance.