At the mention of yesterday and what had happened in the boat, her entire face fell. Goddammit. He should’ve stopped while he was ahead. The smile dropped off her face, and her shoulders slumped on a sigh. She picked at her pancakes before finally shoving her barely touched plate away from her.
She wrapped her arms around the leg she had tucked up to her chest, resting her chin on her knee as she looked at him. Her eyes were so full of pain, it nearly cracked his heart in two.
He pushed his plate away, too, before dragging his chair around the table until he was in front of her. Reaching out, he gripped her hips and pressed a kiss on her forehead. “We can figure this out, Kenna. I know we can. It’s gonna be hard as hell, but we can do it.”
“No. We can’t.” She shook her head, her eyes filling with tears as she pulled back from him. “That… Last night… It doesn’t change anything, Hud.” Her voice cracked, but she steeled her shoulders and swiped at the trails of moisture running down her face. “I can’t let it.”
It felt like they’d been at a standoff for hours, when in actuality, it had probably been only thirty minutes. Round and round, they’d gone, both of them sharing their reasons for why they should and should not continue on with a relationship. Despite that, Mac wasn’t any closer to caving. And she knew Hudson wasn’t either.
“This is bullshit, Kenna, and you know it.”
She clutched her head and groaned, so frustrated that he wouldn’t just listen to her. He was too dead set on keeping her that he was totally ignoring her fears. Didn’t he realize that she’d give up everything—even if it was all she’d ever wanted—if it gave him a better chance at coming back to her? “What I know is that I won’t be able to live with myself if something happens to you because you were distracted by me.”
“Jesus, you’re not listenin’ to me!”
“Back atcha, jackass,” she grumbled. She didn’t want to spend their last hours in a fight like this. She wanted to lie with him in the hammock, wanted to explore the canopy of trees at the back of his property hand in hand. She wanted to rest her head on his chest and just listen to his heartbeat because she had no idea when she’d be able to again. If she’d be able to again.
His lips curved up the slightest bit at her response before smoothing out once again into a harsh line. “I’m gonna be distracted by you one way or another.”
“You won’t. Hud, just listen to me. Please.” She stared at him, waiting for the jerk of his head in acknowledgment. When he finally gave it, she swallowed hard. “You won’t be distracted if we go back to how it was. It was easy, effortless. Our friendship was never anything we had to worry about. Nothing we have to think about. It just is. And as much as I think you need that while you’re gone, I need it too. Let me have it. Please.”
He froze at her words, his jaw ticking and his eyes wild and frantic. She had no idea why she hadn’t started with that. Hudson had always put himself last. He was the most unselfish person she’d ever met, and he’d give his last shirt to a stranger if they needed it. When he’d thought her adamance on this had been solely for his benefit, of course, he’d pushed back. But now that she’d been honest and said it was as much for her? His resolve was crumbling, and she could see it as it fell.
He scrubbed a hand down his face with a groan. “Christ, Kenna, you think I can go back to friendship with you after that?” he asked, waving an arm in the direction of his bedroom. “After I’ve been inside you? Made you come more times than I can count? Held you and slept with you in my arms? I’ve loved you as a friend for as long as I can remember, but this is different, and you know it. I’m in lo—”
“Don’t,” she said, slapping her hand over his mouth. “Don’t you dare say that right now.”
She couldn’t take it if he did. She’d cave, and then everything would be ruined. In the wreckage of her broken heart, she knew this was what needed to be done. For both of them.
His eyes turned hard, his hands braced on his hips. He should’ve looked ridiculous—this tall, muscled guy wearing only a thin pair of underwear while he stood stark raving mad and glaring at her. Instead, he made her knees weak. And if he said those words to her, she’d relent on everything. She knew she would.
“Doesn’t make ’em any less true whether I say ’em or not,” he said through her fingers.
No denying that. Tears welled in her eyes, and she nodded. “Same goes for me, you know.” She swallowed back her tears, spoke through the thickness in her throat. “But I’m not gonna budge on this. I can’t. I need you to let me go like this. Not for forever. Just for right now.” Her voice cracked on the last word.
Hudson tugged her to him, crushing her to his chest, his arms wrapped so tight around her, she could hardly breathe. But she didn’t care. She clung to him, feeling his resignation in the hunch of his shoulders, in the weight of his forehead against her neck. And though it seemed like she’d won, she couldn’t ignore the overwhelming weight in her heart that said she was really losing.
“I don’t know if I can do this. There’s no way I’m gonna just be able to let you go, Kenna.” He spoke into her neck, his breath ghosting down against her chest. “Not after having you and loving you almost my whole life. And now, knowing you feel the same?” He shook his head against her skin, his hair tickling her. “There has to be some kind of end game. Some kind of finish line for us with a promise that we’ll get a chance at a future.”
He pulled away, gripping her face as he bent his knees so they were eye level. His eyes were deep and so full of emotions, she could get lost in them. She reached up and gripped his forearms as he ran his thumbs over her cheeks, the touch combined with the love shining in his eyes nearly enough to make her knees buckle.
“Tell me we can do that,” he said. Begged. “Because I won’t be able to leave without it.”
She shook her head, not understanding. “Do what? What do you mean?”
“Gimme a time frame. Tell me how long before we can be together.”
“I… I don’t know.” She had no idea what his long-term plans were, because he’d never let her into this part of his life. She’d known his college plans, his major, but this? This was all new. Was he only planning to serve for four years? Or was he hoping to make a career out of it like his daddy had? “How long will you be…” She couldn’t finish the sentence, but she didn’t have to.
He clenched his jaw and closed his eyes, resting his forehead against hers. “I don’t know.”
Her heart ached. Tears stung her eyes, and her throat tightened from attempting to hold them back. Years. She’d be without him for years.
But it’d be worth every day of missing him as long as he came back.
“Whenever. Wherever. Name the day, and I’ll be there,” she finally whispered. She could give him this. A promise. A pact. No doubt too far off, so many years from now that she couldn’t think about it too much because she’d break in half. Split right down the center and wither away.
She could only nod as he whispered his proposal. Holding her close and kissing away every traitorous tear that fell from her eyes. Holding on like he’d never let her go.
HUDSON WAS NEVER GOING to let her go.
“You’re gonna squeeze the life outta me if you keep on like this,” Kenna said against his chest, her face buried in the cotton of his T-shirt.
They’d been standing outside her sister’s car for who knew how long. The blink of an eye, really. The day had fallen away like sand through his fingers, and he’d give anything for a few more minutes…just a little more time. Except they were all out.
“I’ll call, okay?” he said, pressing his nose to her hair and breathing her in. “And I’ll write. E-mail. We can Skype. I don’t know the details or when I’ll—”
She pulled back enough to press her fingers over his mouth like she’d done earlier. “I know. We’ll figure it out. And I’ll be here. Don’t worry about that. Promise you won’t.”
“Promise.”
In th
e hours prior to Will’s arrival, he and Kenna had come to an agreement. One he hadn’t been satisfied with—despite having come up with it in the first place—but one he’d settled on. He couldn’t have it all with Kenna right now—she was dead set against that. It’d been easy to throw up every argument he could think of when he’d thought her hesitation had only been for his benefit. But when she’d said she needed it too? When her voice had cracked and her eyes had filled as she’d pleaded with him to do this? He was done for. He’d give her anything in the world, even if it meant time and space out of his grasp.
“Come back to me, okay?” she said, her voice wobbly but her smile bright.
He nodded, unable to speak. With one last, lingering kiss on his lips, she pulled away and slipped into the car, shutting the door behind her. He stepped back, hands shoved into his pockets just to keep himself from reaching for her. From pulling her out of the car and into his arms for just one more hug. He hadn’t had nearly enough time holding her. But as desperately as he wanted more, he knew he had to let her leave. Because she’d asked him to.
So, he’d give her what she needed. He’d let her put distance between them, even if it was just in her mind. Just a mirage. Because no matter what she said, no matter the details or the miles or the years separating them, there was no denying the simple fact Hudson knew deep in his heart. He was hers. Always had been. Always would be.
He was going to make something of himself. Live up to the kind of man his father had been…the man Hudson knew he could be. The man Kenna deserved. And then he’d be back. To Havenbrook. To Kenna. Because if there was one thing he knew for certain, it was that Mackenna Haven was it for him.
And come hell or high water, he was coming back to her.
THANK YOU FOR READING the beginning of Mac and Hudson’s story! That’s not the end for this couple—don’t miss what happens when Captain Heartbreaker comes back into town…
With adventure burning in his soul, Hudson Miller left behind his hometown and the only girl he's ever loved. But now he's back, tackling his most difficult adventure yet—capturing Mackenna's heart once again after decimating it when he left.
Pre-order Captain Heartbreaker now!
HAVE YOU READ THE BOOK THAT STARTED IT ALL? Finn left without a word and broke Willow’s heart when they were teenagers. Ten years later, he’s all grown up and ready to fight for her. If only he could get her to talk to him in something other than curse words… One-click Second Chance Charmer now!
He was the resident bad boy. She’s small town royalty. Their love was doomed from the start.
Finn spent his childhood living so far on the wrong side of the tracks, he couldn’t even see them through his trailer window. When he moves back to his small, southern hometown to open the first bar in a formerly dry county, he’s no longer the boy who left—he’s a man with something to prove. As long as he doesn’t allow himself to get sidetracked by the only girl he’s ever loved.
Willow learned a long time ago to protect her heart at all costs, so her walls are firmly in place when her ex comes strolling back into town, all cockiness and charm. When they're thrown together on the job, she knows better than to give in to the tug of attraction that still simmers between them. She might be drawn to him, but she certainly doesn't trust him. It's time for her to prove she's not the brokenhearted girl he left behind.
There’s no room for second chances in Havenbrook. And Willow’s daddy—the mayor—will do anything to keep it that way.
Keep reading for an excerpt from Second Chance Charmer!
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SECOND CHANCE CHARMER EXCERPT
Willow Haven shuffled her way to her office in her too-high heels she could only hope no one would notice didn’t match. Her messenger bag thumped against her hip as she hurried down the hall, careful not to spill the coffee gripped in one hand. Sliding into her office sixteen minutes late, she darted her eyes around, breathing a sigh of relief when no one waited inside. Finally, the dominoes had stopped crashing into each other.
Avery looked up at her and smiled. “Nola’s already in your office.”
“Dammit.” Willow’s shoulders sagged. Of course she was. Willow wouldn’t have been lucky enough to have her appointment be late too. She blew a wayward strand of hair out of her face. “How long’s she been here?”
“About ten minutes.”
“Dammit.”
Avery waved a dismissive hand and shot Willow a smile. “Don’t worry about it. I brought in a couple glazed croissants from The Sweet Spot and got her all set up with some fresh coffee. Then we discussed the glorious specimens of men on display over at the firehouse, weighing the pros and cons of a runner’s body versus a linebacker’s. She’s fine.”
“You’re a godsend,” Willow said. “An inappropriate godsend, but a godsend nonetheless.”
Avery grinned. “Indeed, I am.”
Willow huffed out a laugh and rolled her eyes as she juggled the items in her hands so she could turn the knob to her office. “Hey, Nola. I’m so, so sorry—”
“No big deal,” Nola cut her off, offering a smile. With the pink ends on her long, platinum blond hair, a nose ring, and more tattoos than Willow could count, she would have fit better in a big city like Nashville than she did in the tiny town of Havenbrook. She no doubt got looks anytime she went out, but it didn’t seem to bother Nola at all. Though, as far as Willow could tell, nothing much did. “Avery hooked me up with some croissants and a coffee.”
“I heard y’all also debated the merits of tall and lean or big and beefy.” Willow tsked in mock disappointment. “Our first responders are more than pieces of meat, you know.”
Nola grinned, her eyes sparkling. “If they don’t want us talkin’ about them, why are they always out washin’ the fire trucks without any shirts on?”
“Excellent point.” Willow set down her messenger bag, dropped her purse in her bottom drawer, and settled behind her desk. So damn thankful Avery had more forethought than she did. All the paperwork she and Nola needed to go over at the meeting sat paper-clipped together on top of her desk. “Congratulations, by the way. I don’t think I’ve had a chance to tell you that since you bought Pete’s old place. I had no idea you were interested in business ownership.”
Nola shrugged, taking a sip of coffee. “Thanks. An opportunity presented itself, so I snatched it up.”
“You mentioned wanting to start construction over there this week. We’ve got a bit of paperwork to fill out before y’all get going on that, but I don’t think anything’ll hold y’all up.” Willow pulled the paper clip off the stack and sorted through the papers to find the ones she needed.
“Actually, my business partners should be here any minute. We’ll probably need to wait for them to go over everything.”
Willow cocked her head as she stilled her hands. “Business partners?”
“Yeah, I couldn’t afford it by myself, so I wrangled some old friends into buyin’ it with me.”
Willow tried to remember if that information had been on any of the paperwork that’d crossed her desk. It might’ve been, but the truth was, she hadn’t had a chance to even glance at it, let alone familiarize herself with the ins and outs of Nola’s venture. Her daddy had her running around like a chicken with its head cut off, trying to take care of Gloria’s unattended work on top of Willow’s already precariously balanced workload. “Oh, I apologize. I must’ve assumed it was just you
.”
Nola shrugged. “Most people do.” She glanced at her phone, typing out a quick text. “That’s them now. They grabbed a coffee at Higher Grounds and are on their way over.”
Willow took a healthy swallow of her coffee, nearly sighing as the good-as-gold elixir worked its way through her system, thankful for the wake-up. “So, what made y’all want to start up a boutique?” she asked.
Nola’s brows shot up on her forehead. “A boutique? We’re not startin’ a boutique.” She tossed her head back and laughed, slapping her hand on her thigh. “Lord, the thought of the Thomas boys running a boutique is funny as hell. Can you imagine?”
Willow’s lips curved at the corners, Nola’s laughter contagious. “Oh, I just thought—” She froze as Nola’s words finally caught up with her.
It’d been a long time since she’d heard those two words together—those Thomas boys are nothin’ but trouble. Why you runnin’ around with one of ’em, Will?—and she had to remind herself to breathe.
Just breathe.
Maybe Nola didn’t mean who Willow’s memory automatically called up. And of course that’d been where her mind had gone—after the dream and then the false sighting, it was no wonder she had Finn Thomas on the brain.
It’d been so long since he’d left, it was easy to forget Nola and the Thomases had run around together in high school. But that didn’t mean anything. Surely, they weren’t still in contact. Finn hadn’t been back in ten long years, and he sure as hell hadn’t called or sent so much as a letter, despite claiming he’d been desperately in love with her. Certainly it’d been the same for everyone else in town, hadn’t it?
“Who—” Willow cleared her throat, smoothing a hand over the papers on her desk. Bracing herself for the answer she feared. “Who exactly are you partnering up with?”
“Oh, you remember—”
Pact with a Heartbreaker: A Best Friends to Lovers Summer Romance (Havenbrook Book 3) Page 9
