Sweetheart.
He just called me sweetheart.
My heart can’t take it.
I fall back onto my pillows, barely containing the squeal that wants to escape. But with my luck, he’d still hear me and run back to see if I’m all right. I feel too weak for that sort of embarrassment.
We take the rest of the day easy, just hanging out at home. I’m thrilled to see Hudson was right and Mira is doing a lot better. We’ve been cuddling a lot, both of us savoring the contact. At the end of the day, it’s easy to tell the two of us feel much better, even though we’re both extremely tired. I’m all for a speedy recovery, hoping to be mostly back to normal tomorrow after another good night’s sleep.
“Let’s get you guys upstairs and in bed before you fall asleep at the table.” Hudson chuckles and starts bringing the dishes into the kitchen.
After giving Mira a quick bath, Hudson takes her into the bedroom while I clean up the bathroom. When I walk back into the bedroom a few minutes later, my heart stops at the sight in front of me. Hudson’s sitting in the rocking chair with Mira snuggled against his chest, her head pressed into the crook of his neck, clearly passed out already. Hudson has his eyes closed too, his arms securely wrapped around her small body. I stand there for several minutes, watching these two important people in my life.
Committing this image to memory.
So bittersweet.
In this moment, I can’t help the bursts of sadness and joy mixing in my heart—sad over what was lost while happy over what was gained.
I don’t know if this will ever get less painful or easier to deal with, but I will try my best to focus on the positive since that’s the only thing I can control.
Closing my eyes for a moment, I take a deep breath, trying to get my emotions back in check. When I open them again, Hudson is looking straight at me. I give him a small smile and walk over to him. As carefully as possible, I take Mira out of his arms and place her in the crib, making sure she’s settled all right.
Hudson is waiting for me by the door, tucking me into his side when I reach him. “Time to get you to bed too. Go get ready. I’ll be waiting for you in my room.”
Heat floods me, but is quickly shut down when a big yawn takes over my body, and I nod. “Are you sure?”
“You bet. Absolutely. Now hurry.” He pushes me toward my room, and we both chuckle quietly.
When I walk into his bedroom a few minutes later, he sits in the middle of the bed, slightly propped up and completely immersed in his phone. The thick carpet swallows my footsteps as I make my way over to my nightstand. My nightstand—is that what it is? I place my things on top of it when I notice Hudson watching me.
“Hey.” He puts his phone on his nightstand before patting the spot beside him on the bed.
I barely notice though, since I’m too distracted by his chest—his very naked chest. The only thing he’s wearing is some thin drawstring pajama pants. Very thin pajama pants.
I must not have been very discreet because he leans down to get into my line of sight. “Do you want me to put on a shirt? Does it bother you?”
I blink at him several times before my brain finally catches up, and then I laugh. I laugh so hard it turns into a coughing fit.
Hudson reaches around me to get my water bottle from the nightstand. “Here, have a sip.”
After handing it to me, I take several gulps, trying to get the coughing under control. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” He gives me a moment to get my body under control. “Better now? I didn’t mean for that to happen when I asked you.”
Shaking my head at him, I chuckle, then set the water bottle back on the nightstand and crawl onto the bed next to him. Kneeling, I reach out and place my left hand on his warm chest, enjoying the feel of his quick heartbeat under my fingers. “This would never ever bother me.” My fingertips start moving on their own accord. “If it was up to me, you’d never wear a shirt again, at least not when you’re home.”
The satisfied grin he’s sporting has my heart picking up its speed, trying to catch up with my rapid breath. All it takes is one of those smiles, and I’m a total goner.
Unleash the butterflies!
He covers my hand with his, pulling my fingers up to his mouth. “I’m glad to see your spirits have returned, but it’s time for you to go to sleep. I have a feeling you’ll need all the strength you can get for tomorrow.”
I sit back on my feet. “What’s going on tomorrow? Did I miss something?”
“Nope.”
“What is it then?”
“I can’t tell you. It’s a surprise.”
A surprise? The wheels are turning in my head, trying to figure out if there have been any signs or hints about what it could be. When I come up empty, I stick my bottom lip out at him. “Hmmph.”
He pushes himself up, getting right in my face. “Don’t be mad at me. I know you’ll like it.”
“Promise?”
“Promise. Also, take your time and sleep in, okay? I’ll take care of Mira, so you can get as much sleep as you need to get better.” Leaning even closer, he gives the tip of my nose a featherlight kiss.
As he draws back, my first thought is that he’s too good for me.
He’s perfect, and I’m not sure I can keep up with him.
Then, Monica’s words echo in my mind—I deserve a good guy, and I’m trying very hard to believe it.
“Thank you.”
“You bet.” He reaches around me and grabs the blanket, pulling it over our legs. “Now lie down, so I can properly make up for all the cuddles I’ve missed this week. It might just take me all night long, so we better get started.”
With a sigh, I turn around and sink into his body, contentment filling me to the very brink when his arms reach around me to pull me even closer. I can’t wait to feel better to make up for the lost time with him—with more than just cuddling.
Twenty-Six
When I wake up the next morning, I feel refreshed and energetic. Thank goodness. I stretch my limbs like a cat, excited to start the day. A big smile spreads across my face at the memories from last night and falling asleep in Hudson’s arms.
I wouldn’t mind doing that for the rest of my life.
“What are you smiling about?” The female voice shocks me for a moment before I recognize it.
My eyes fly open, trying to adjust to the daylight while my brain is still trying to wake up.
Am I hallucinating or is my best friend really here? In Hudson’s bedroom, of all places.
“Mo? Is that you?” I prop up on my elbows and scan the room through squinted eyes.
There she is, in the flesh, sitting on the dark gray couch that’s on the other side of the room, her leg propped up on the couch cushions.
“Of course, silly. Who else would it be? Last time I checked, I haven’t changed into a ghost or some other form of an apparition.”
A laugh escapes my throat as I rub my eyes, willing my body to fully boot up. “What on earth are you doing here? You weren’t supposed to get here for another week or so. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I could’ve gotten you from the airport, I could’ve gotten things ready.”
I sit up all the way, brushing my hand through my hair—which only ends up in me trying to untangle it because it’s such a mess.
“That’s how surprises work.” She throws her hands up in the air. “Surprise.” The huge grin on her face makes my own face light up too. “Even though it looks like you surprised me instead.”
“Why? What do you mean?”
“Well, I certainly didn’t expect to be sent up to this bedroom instead of yours. You didn’t tell me you guys were having sleepovers.” She wiggles her eyebrows at the last word, her grin transforming into a smirk.
Covering my face with my hands, I feel a little guilty for not having told her about me and Hudson. I didn’t want to say anything yet because I’m still not sure what’s actually going on either. “Yeah. About that..
.”
“It’s okay. The last time we talked about it, you didn’t want to start anything with him. At least not until some grass has grown over the whole crazy pregnancy story with his ex.” She snorts loudly. “By the way, nice ass shot in the gossip magazine.”
So typical. Her thoughts jump back and forth so quickly, you really have to pay attention if you want to keep up with her. Thankfully, I’m used to it, so it doesn’t strike me as odd.
Monica laughs at my groan. “I’m just teasing. Relax. I was talking about the one you already told me about. There aren’t any new ones—not that I know of, at least.”
“Stop playing with me, I just woke up.” I snatch one of the pillows from the bed and toss it her way. “Now, why are you already here, even more so, in Hudson’s bedroom?”
“But that was my question to you.” She points a finger at me, and I roll my eyes playfully. Her sassy expression suddenly changes, but it’s hard to read her.
“What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”
She shrugs, playing with her fingers in her lap. “I saw the note you wrote to Hannah in a pile of papers on the bar.”
The note.
The one where I told Hannah that Hudson knows about my past. I needed her to not feel bad anymore for keeping it from him. It probably also inadvertently told her that we’ve taken things to the next level before she even saw us together the following morning.
Letting my head fall, guilt overtakes me for keeping Mo out of the loop these last few weeks. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” I lift my head enough to look at her. “But it was time to tell him.”
“It’s okay. I’m glad you let him in.” She nods toward the bed. “I guess it went well if you sleep in his bed.”
“I wanted him to know before I could move on, I guess.” My chest rises and falls on an exhale. “Mo, he was amazing. I was so scared to tell him, after everything that happened with Sebastian. I know they’re completely different people but the fear of telling anyone and see them react badly hasn’t gone away. Not to mention, I still get super emotional every time I tell the story. Sadly, it hasn’t gotten any easier so far.”
Mo gets up from her spot and hops over to the bed. On one foot.
Crap.
I’m the worst friend ever.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. Here I am, totally absorbed in my life while you’re struggling to get from point A to B.” Throwing the blanket back, I jump off the bed to help her.
She throws her arms around me when I reach her—something rather uncharacteristic for her. I’m usually the emotional and touchy-feely one out of the two of us, not her.
Letting go rather quickly, I help her walk back to the couch where she sits down with a huff. “It’s really good to see you, C.”
“Same, Mo. Always. You know I’ve missed you.” I touch her good knee for a moment before pointing at her other leg. “You’re okay now? I thought you wouldn’t be here until next week.”
“As good as it can be, I suppose. The plan was to fly over next week, but since I was ready to strangle my mom, I thought it might be safer for everyone to leave earlier. So, voilà.”
Monica and her mom have always been an odd couple. They love each other dearly, but after spending a few days or weeks together, they end up at each other’s throats over the smallest things. I’m actually surprised she made it this long. “I’m so sorry, even though I’m glad you’re here.”
For the slightest moment, I feel a hint of sadness rush through me over having to share my time with Hudson with Mo now too, especially since we just started to get closer and explore whatever it is between us.
But that’s not fair to my best friend either. I’m being ridiculous.
“You’re thinking about Mr. Hottie, aren’t you?” She doesn’t wait for an answer and just continues to talk. “I really can’t blame you. We obviously both know he’s beyond delicious. And oh boy, I saw him with Mira in the kitchen earlier. Holy guacamole. Now I totally get what you were telling me about those two. I really do. Everything you said about them having this crazy bond when they’re together is true. He’s amazing with her, and it really is quite fascinating to watch.”
She sighs loudly. “He’s also even better-looking in real life, you know? I don’t understand how you haven’t jumped his bones yet, I really don’t.” She studies me, her eyes going wide. “Or have you?”
“Not everything’s about sex, Mo.” I chuckle when she sticks her tongue out at me.
“I know that. But it’s different when you have an exceptional piece of man standing right in front of you, even more so when he also seems like a total sweetheart. And then there’s obviously the fact that you’ve been sleeping in his bed.” She points a finger at the bed behind me, and I can’t fault her logical assumption of things happening between those soft sheets.
“Oh, stop it already.” Now it’s my time to sigh. “But gosh, yes. He’s so sweet. What am I going to do with him?”
She chuckles. “Well, you know my answer to that question. Stop worrying so much about everything. He’s obviously completely crazy about you, so I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Just follow your heart.”
I stare at her, my mouth open.
“What?”
Shaking my head, I give her a small smile. “Nothing. That was actually quite insightful and sensitive of you. I’m impressed and a bit shocked, to be honest.”
She winks at me. “I have my moments.”
“Apparently, you do.”
My mind is still stuck on her words, the wheels in my head spinning around and around, trying to make sense of everything.
Is Hudson really that crazy about me?
And if he is, what exactly does he want from me?
She nudges my arm to get my attention. “He genuinely seems like a good guy. Gabe said that too.”
“You’ve already talked to Gabe about Hudson and me? When did all of that happen? You just got here.” My gut clenches at the thought of them discussing us.
“When he picked me up from the airport early this morning, of course.” The grin on her face looks like it’s almost painful, it’s that big. “And maybe we talked on the phone for the past few weeks too.”
“You did what?” Shaking my head, I chuckle at her expression. “Ugh. On second thought, never mind. I don’t want to know.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t be such a spoilsport. You’re not the only one who can have secrets involving the Mitchell brothers.”
“No, no, no.” I get up and hold out my hands. “I need some coffee first before I can deal with you.”
Monica laughs, knowing exactly how right I am. She’s dealt with me for years, fully aware there are two sides of me.
Caffeinated Charlie, and non-caffeinated Charlie.
One of those is a lot easier to handle in the morning than the other.
She gives me a small push. “Go get your butt ready then. I’ll hop back downstairs and stare at those two hunks all by myself.”
I look at the crutches that lean on one side of the couch. “Are you gonna be okay getting back down by yourself? I can help you.”
She waves me off. “Nope, I’m all good. Promise.”
“Please call me or one of the guys if you need help, all right?” I’m still not sure how much I trust her, since Monica likes to downplay her injuries whenever possible. But short of throwing her over my shoulder, there isn’t much else I can do.
“Will do. Now, let’s get going. I’m ready to eat some more breakfast too. Good thing you tend to bake so much more than you need. There are always leftovers in your kitchen.”
I grimace before grabbing my things from the nightstand. “If both Gabe and Hudson are down there, you better hurry up. You’re actually lucky if they haven’t eaten everything by now. Those two live for breakfast.”
“They better not.”
A tingle runs down my spine when Hudson waits for me at the bottom of the stairs. “There you are.”
The smile
on his face has my face breaking out in one too. He stares at me as if it’s been days or months since he’s seen me, rather than hours. The look in his eyes makes me excited and a little shy at the same time, but it’s a look I’ll never tire of because it’s just for me.
It’s my look.
By now, I’d also recognize his voice pretty much anywhere—it’s warm and genuine, with a rasp that gives it a sexy edge—and it’s actually become one of my favorite things about him that never fails to get some sort of reaction from my body.
“Sorry I took so long. I just needed a long, hot shower. I probably shouldn’t have left you alone with Mo for that long.”
He’s standing at the foot of the staircase, gazing up at me with an adorable smile on his face. “No need to apologize, we’re all good. I just wanted to make sure you’re all right.”
Leaning my head to the side, I study him. “You didn’t run away from Mo, did you? She can be a bit overwhelming sometimes when you don’t know her, but I promise she’s harmless.”
“What? No, I like her. She’s a bit grumpy because of her leg but that’s understandable. I can tell she’s funny though.” Coming a little closer, he lowers his voice to a whisper. “But I also quickly realized how happy I am after all that she’s not staying with us. That means I don’t have to share you with her, at least not all the time.”
“I was just thinking about that too.” I feel a little bad at my admission but also glad I’m not the only one. “I love her, and I’m thrilled she’s here, but I also want to spend time with you.”
Since I’m just a step above him, that puts us at almost the same height. We’re close, really close, and I watch him while he studies me intently. Looking at him is one of my new favorite things to do. I mean, this man is simply gorgeous.
The Mitchell Brothers Collection: A Feel-Good Romance Box Set Page 20
