The Invitation

by Vi Keeland

  “Rode up with the food. By the way, be thankful she ordered and didn’t try to cook today.”

  “I’m sure she’s not a bad cook.”

  “Last Christmas she made two trays of shrimp parmesan. We all got a big crunch when we bit in.”

  “She overcooked the shrimp?”

  He shook his head. “She followed a recipe that called for shelled shrimp. She thought shelled meant to leave the shell on.”

  I laughed. “Ohhhhhh...”

  He nodded his chin toward the photo in my hand. “I still feel like doing that at least once a week.”

  “Why were you covering her mouth?”

  “Because she thought everyone’s birthday cakes were for her and blew out the candles. My parents thought it was cute and let her do it. But that year, I’d made a wish I really wanted to come true, and I wasn’t taking any chances.”

  I laughed. “What was your wish?”

  “I wanted a sheepdog.”

  “Did you get one?”

  He shook his head. “Nope.”

  “Well, it’s an adorable picture.”

  “My mom had it framed on her nightstand. She said it summed up our relationship perfectly, and she wasn’t wrong. My sister must’ve taken it when we cleaned out my parents’ things.”

  Mason walked over and handed me a glass of wine. He passed Hudson a beer. Raising his own bottle, he tilted it to us. “Good luck today, you two.”

  Hudson clinked his beer, so I followed his lead. “Thank you.”

  The rest of the guests piled in shortly thereafter, and Hudson and I were pulled in opposite directions. I saw a couple of people on the marketing team who I knew had worked on things for us, but I hadn’t gotten to spend much time with them. So I made sure to seek them out and say thank you for everything they’d done.

  A few times, while Hudson and I were both talking to different people, my eyes caught with his. His lip would twitch and his eyes sparkled, but neither of us made any attempt to talk again. A few minutes before three o’clock, Olivia pointed the remote at the TV above the fireplace and then used it to clink against her glass.

  “Alright, everyone. It’s just about time! This is so much more exciting than a dumb Superbowl party, isn’t it? Who needs a refill before kickoff?”

  I was really damn nervous, so I headed to the kitchen to take her up on the offer before I had to see my face on her giant TV. Mason was standing near the wine and lifted the merlot when he saw me coming.

  “You look like I felt when they started playing ‘Here Comes the Bride’.”

  I opened and closed my hands. “Did your fingertips go numb from nerves?”

  Mason filled my glass to the brim and handed it back to me with a smile. “Head-to-toe numb. Pretty sure that’s why the person who gives away the bride lifts the veil, and the best man holds the ring. The groom’s hands are too shaky to do anything.”

  I sipped my wine. “Well, I hope I can fake it as good as you did. Because you looked cool as a cucumber.”

  An arm hooked through mine. “Come on,” Olivia said. “I want to sit next to you!”

  I guzzled as much wine as I could as we settled into the couch together. Immediately after we sat, the music at the beginning of the show started, and the host, Robyn, strolled out, waving to a live studio audience. It was pretty funny to watch, because I had been there when she’d done that walk, and the only people in the audience were Hudson and his friend Jack. Yet now the camera panned to a clapping crowd.

  Olivia laced her fingers with mine and squeezed. “Here we go!”

  She turned up the volume, and the noise in the room settled down. Robyn did her usual introduction from the side of the stage, and then walked over to the counter where she always stood. Signature Scent boxes and samples were piled all over. It felt completely surreal. Adrenaline rushed through my veins, leaving me a little lightheaded.

  For the next few minutes, Robyn did her best Vanna White impression, lifting the boxes and waving her manicured hands around, which I now knew was to keep the viewers’ eyes on the product rather than the host. When she began to introduce her guest co-host for the day, I held my breath.

  It was absolutely crazy to see myself on television, standing next to such a well-known personality. Robyn Quinn was a pretty big celebrity. During the taping, the director had made me do that walk out onto the stage while waving almost a dozen times. As I watched, I smiled directly into the camera and waved like my personal fan club was in the audience.

  Oh my God, I look like such a ham!

  Everyone from the office started to hoot and howl, and I dropped my face into my hands, too embarrassed to watch. I’d heard actors say they don’t watch their movies and thought that was insane. But now I understood why. I was aware of all the little nervous habits I had, as well as how heavy my New York accent was, and it left me unable to focus on anything but my flaws—all of which seemed highly amplified at the moment.

  I cringed and shook my head. “God, this is so hard to watch.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Olivia asked. “You’re a natural and doing incredible!”

  The moment of truth came ten minutes into the show. Robyn pointed to the corner of the screen, and the price and telephone number flashed a few times. Thirty seconds later, a countdown clock appeared, too.

  “Alright, ladies—and gentlemen out there who want to impress their ladies—we’re going to open up the lines now and let you start getting your orders in. We’ll continue to talk about Signature Scent, but I think you all already know you want it. So here’s what you’ve been waiting for, your countdown to the opening of our phones and online ordering. You know the drill… And five, four, three, two, one. We’re open!”

  Within seconds, the countdown of the quantity remaining started to scroll. Slowly at first, but then it began to fly. I couldn’t tell you what Robyn or I talked about for the duration of the show—my eyes were glued to that countdown clock. When the thousands started to dwindle at a rapid pace, I thought I might hyperventilate, and I really needed a moment.

  “Would you mind if I went downstairs to get some air? I’ll just be a few minutes.”

  Olivia looked concerned “Of course not, but are you okay?”

  “Yeah. It’s just a bit overwhelming, and I need a minute. I won’t be gone for long.”

  “Of course. Of course. But don’t go downstairs.” She pointed to the hallway her husband had come from earlier. “Last door on the left leads to a guest bedroom. It has a private balcony and a bathroom, too.”

  “You don’t mind?”

  “Of course not. Go. Take as long as you need.”

  “Thank you.”

  The cool air outside felt incredible. I shut my eyes and took a few deep breaths. After only a minute or two, I felt calm enough to open them and enjoy the stunning view. From this height, the City seemed unusually quiet, which had a real tranquilizing effect on my mental state. So I felt a little better when I heard the sound of the door sliding open behind me, and I turned to find Hudson.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  I nodded. “I just got a little overwhelmed watching that ticker, and my heart started to race.”

  “Understandable.” He smiled and held something out to me. “Here.”

  I looked down and my forehead wrinkled. “A banana?”

  “I stole it from my sister’s kitchen. She didn’t have any oranges. I’m more creative with those.”

  I was confused until I realized he’d written on it.

  Your television debut is very appealing.

  Hudson shrugged. “Get it? A-peel-ing. Go easy on me—I didn’t have very long to come up with something and still follow you out here.”

  I laughed. “It’s very sweet. Thank you. I can see why Charlie likes your messages in her lunchbox so much.”

  We stood next to each other, staring out at the City. The little fruit trick he used on his daughter had actually helped me relax. Or maybe it was just Hudson’s presence.
/>
  I sighed. “This is all so surreal.”

  “I would imagine it is.” He smiled.

  Yes, I was in the middle of a mental meltdown, but I still noticed how handsome Hudson looked. Not only was he dressed casually in a pair of jeans, he also had some stubble on his face that I really liked.

  He’d been quietly watching me look at him, so I felt compelled to say something.

  “This is the first time I’ve seen you unshaven and in street clothes.”

  He flashed one of his sexy signature half smiles. “And?”

  I tilted my head. “I like it.”

  “Are you telling the truth or just trying to get in your daily compliment quota from your happiness plan?”

  I laughed. “No, I like it. The scruff on your jaw gives you a sinister look.”

  He tilted his head. “Is that your type? Sinister looking? That’s not exactly what I envisioned when you said your ex was a poet.”

  I laughed. “Oh, Aiden is as clean-cut as they come. That’s always been my type. I never went for the bad boys. I don’t think I’ve ever dated anyone with a scar or a tattoo.”

  “And you’d like to change that?”

  I shrugged, playing along and teasing. “Maybe.”

  Hudson’s eyes sparkled. “That’s good. Because I can help. I have both.”

  “You do?”

  He nodded.

  “Where are they?”

  “Ah…that’s information I’ll keep for another time.”

  I laughed. “Top secret, huh?”

  A light gust of wind pushed a lock of hair onto my face. Hudson used his finger to move it. “Feel better?”

  I took a deep breath and relaxed my shoulders. “I do. Thank you.”

  He tilted his head toward the door. “Why don’t we go back in, then? As much as I’d rather be right here, I don’t want you to miss anything.”

  I nodded.

  Back in the living room, I took my seat next to Olivia on the couch and looked up at the countdown clock to see how things were going. I blinked a few times reading the number. I hadn’t been gone for more than five minutes, yet we were already almost completely sold out.

  “I’ve been watching this show every day for the last week and a half,” Olivia said. “And they never sell out this fast. You’re absolutely slaying it. I was worried you’d miss the part where Robyn says her big tagline—Going…going and buh-bye!”

  Sure enough, only minutes later, the side of the screen with the countdown started to flash.

  “Uh-oh,” the host said. “We’re about to sell out. Hurry up and get those orders in!” She paused and shook her head. “I better say it before it’s too late. Going…going…” She raised her hand and waved. “…and buh-bye!” A big stamp appeared over the countdown clock on the screen.

  SOLD OUT

  Everyone in the room cheered. Olivia hugged me, and people took turns coming over to congratulate us. When I turned back to look at the TV, the next product was already being introduced. Relief washed over me that we’d done well, and I wouldn’t have to see my face up on that giant TV anymore.

  Olivia and Mason popped champagne, and she handed out glasses. As she extended one to me, my eyes met Hudson’s across the room. He silently raised his glass and smiled.

  Olivia looked between the two of us before hooking her arm around my neck. She turned us so our backs were facing Hudson and spoke with a low voice. “He really likes you.”

  “Who?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Uh, the man who hasn’t taken his eyes off of you since he walked in. Hudson, of course. I see the way he looks at you.”

  “He’s excited about today…about Signature Scent.”

  She pointed her finger at me. “He’s excited about you.”

  I glanced over my shoulder at Hudson, and our eyes met once again. I couldn’t deny that I’d felt like the center of his focus today. He looked between his sister and me, and his eyes narrowed. He absolutely knew we were talking about him.

  I sighed. “He’s a great guy.”

  “So…” Olivia shrugged. “Why are you two still playing cat and mouse, then?”

  “We’re in business together. He’s an investor in my company.”

  “And…”

  “I don’t know.” I shook my head. “If it doesn’t work out, it could be pretty messy.”

  Olivia sipped her champagne. “Life is messy. You know the only time it’s not? When you’re not living it—when you’re just going through the motions.”

  “I know… But—”

  She interrupted me. “What happened to the woman who crashed my wedding and ran out laughing and drinking champagne?”

  I laughed. “God, that’s a good example of being a mess.”

  “Maybe.” She shrugged. “But look where that mess led you. To a new business and a new best friend—and if you ask me who the new best friend is, I’m going to punch you. We’re having a moment here.”

  I chuckled. “I get what you’re saying, but I told you what happened with Aiden. A lot of our fights centered on being in business together. He would question how I spent money, and we would argue over the direction things should go. It was really the beginning of our problems.”

  Olivia shook her head. “I think you’re wrong. Not to be crass, but the beginning of your problems was him sticking his dick in another woman.”

  “Not that it’s a valid excuse, but he turned to someone else because we weren’t getting along.”

  “No, he didn’t. He turned to someone else because he’s a piece of shit. That was just the most convenient excuse.”

  I sighed. “I guess…”

  “Did I tell you that Mason and I met at work?”

  “Really? At Rothschild Investments?”

  She nodded. “Hudson brought him on as director of IT. He was there for three years, and we were dating for two of them. We worked together on a few projects, and we didn’t always see eye to eye.”

  “He owns his own IT firm, right? Is that why he left?”

  “No. There was nowhere for him to grow at Rothschild. We only have a few IT people, and he wanted to keep growing. But my point is, we worked together and fought. That didn’t lead him to cheat on me.” Olivia looked over at her husband and smirked. “Occasionally it led to some hot, angry make-up sex on my desk, though…” She held up her hands and her face scrunched. “Oh God. Don’t do that with my brother because my office is so close. I once walked in on our parents, and I still haven’t gotten over it.”

  I laughed.

  “Seriously, Stella. If you’re not into Hudson, that’s fine. But don’t let what happened with your ex, or your fears of things getting messy, ruin what could be a good thing. Some of the best things in life are messy—buns, sheets after good sex, lava cake, watermelon. Do I need to go on?”

  I smiled. “No. I get it.”

  Hudson walked over with a bottle of champagne and topped off both our glasses. Noticing the label, I said, “No wonder this is so delicious. It’s the good stuff. I’ve run out of the bottles I stole from Olivia’s wedding, so you might want to hide any you have left when I’m on my way out.”

  Olivia laughed. “I’m going to go help Mason put out more food. You two continue the celebration without me.” She walked away but looked back over her shoulder so Hudson didn’t see and winked.

  I smiled. “Your sister is pretty amazing.”

  “She’s not too bad,” Hudson agreed. “But don’t tell her I said that.”

  He’d walked over to fill our glasses, but didn’t have one of his own. “Where’s your champagne?”

  “I have plans.” Hudson looked at his watch. “I actually need to be going. I was coming over to say goodbye.”

  “Oh.” Disappointment gripped me, along with maybe a tiny bit of jealousy. I forced a smile. “Well, have fun.”

  Hudson’s eyes narrowed before he eventually grinned.

  “Are you jealous because I have a date?”

  “No,” I
said—waaay too quickly.

  He tucked his hands into his pockets and flaunted a smug smile. “You are.”

  “Am not.”

  He leaned forward, his nose almost touching mine, and whispered, “Jealous.”

  “You’re so full of yourself. You can’t even tell the difference between happy for you and jealous.”

  He pulled his head back. “Oh yeah? You’re happy I have a date?”

  I plastered on a smile and pointed to my mouth. “Yes. See?”

  The look on Hudson’s face told me my attempt at a smile came out more like one reflected in a fun house.

  He chuckled. “I’m picking up Charlie from some playdate. My ex went to a doctor’s appointment with her sister who’s pregnant and might not make it on time, so I told her I’d take her home.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  “Happy it’s not a real date?”

  Yes. I shrugged. “Whatever. It’s your business.”

  He rubbed his chin. “I was thinking of coming back after. Think you’ll still be here?”

  “Maybe I have a date tonight. Would that bother you?”

  Hudson’s jaw flexed. “I’m not the one who pretends I’m not interested, so I don’t think you’ll be surprised to know it would.”

  I’d been teasing, and it backfired. His face was too serious to screw around. I sighed. “I don’t have a date. I’ll probably be here.”

  Hudson shook his head. “You’re a pain in my ass.”

  I sipped my champagne. “Well, apparently you like pains in the asses.”

  His eyes dropped to my lips. “You know I’m counting all the times you torture me. Eventually I’ll get even.”

  “And how will you do that?”

  He leaned in and kissed my cheek, then moved his lips to my ear. “With my mouth.”

  I blinked a few times, taking in Hudson’s smirk as he walked away.

  He spoke over his shoulder. “Hold that thought, Stella. Your whisper is getting almost loud enough that I can hear it.”

  Oh boy. I’m in trouble.

  CHAPTER 18

  Stella

  I’d started to think Hudson wasn’t coming back. It had been hours since he left, though with the stress of the show over, I’d relaxed a lot and was able to have a good time. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t watching the door constantly. Half the guests had gone, and a few more were getting ready to leave. I went to the bathroom and figured I’d soon call it a night, too. But when I came out, Hudson was sitting at the island drinking a beer.