Chapter 20

Hudson woke with the sun, dressed, then tiptoed into the living room, careful not to make sound. Myles laid sprawled on the couch, a thin blanket draped over him, still sleeping. Brown hair swept over his forehead like a wave and she fought the urge to reach over and brush it from his face.

Instead, she watched the steady rise and fall of his chest, his long, languid breaths and the slight curve of his lips. He seemed peaceful lying there. Comfortable. As if him fast asleep in her apartment were the most natural thing in the world.

Maybe it was? Maybe him being there with her was exactly as it were meant to be. Maybe the puzzle pieces of her life were finally falling into place. If the sole purpose of what she'd been living through brought the only chance she and Myles would ever cross paths, then it would all be worth it in the end. And if something is worth having, it's worth sacrificing for. Isn't that what Gran had always said?

When Myles stirred, she stepped back so he wouldn't catch her staring. He'd done so much for her in the short time they'd known each other, now it was time for her to do something nice for him.

Hudson hurried into the kitchen, her footsteps falling like feathers against the hardwood floor. Opening the refrigerator door, she removed the carton of eggs, milk, and bacon, and went about preparing a breakfast he wouldn't soon forget. She split the remaining three eggs into a pan, the melting butter spreading into a puddle underneath the weight of the yolks. Bacon sizzled against the heat. The scent lifted and filled the space around her, swallowing her up. Her mouth began to water.

"Something smells good," a sluggish voice said from behind.

Hudson turned to find Myles sitting up on the couch, his eyes thick with sleep. Stretching his arms over his head, he let out a yawn. Something about it felt so right. She could get used to waking up to him everyday; his messy bedhead and heavy-lidded gaze. A warmth spread throughout her chest and she couldn't hide the smile that bubbled up inside of her.

"Good morning," she said. "I hope you're hungry."

"I am." His mouth tugged up at one corner. "Looks like you're a morning person."

Hudson swiveled back to the stove and turned off the burners. "I suppose I am." Pulling plates from the cupboard, she slid two fried eggs onto his plate and one onto hers, then plopped a few slices of bacon next to each. Several pieces of toast, the tops glistening with golden butter, stacked one atop another on a plate of their own. As Myles settled into to a seat, she set the plates on the table.

"This looks amazing." He flashed her a smile. "You didn't have to go through all the trouble."

A slow blush made its way across her cheeks. "It wasn't any trouble. I love to make breakfast. It's my favorite meal of the day."

Myles picked up a slice of bacon and took a big bite. "I remember you saying that before." His eyes spanned the kitchen. "Do I smell coffee?"

Hudson pushed her chair back and stood. "Oh gosh! How could I forget? How do you take it?"

"Black, please. And thank you. For all of this."

"It's the least I can do after all you've done for me." Smiling to herself, she poured two mugfuls, the steam swelling over the top, and joined him again at the table.

Myles took a sip, studying her over the rim. He set the mug on the table and held it between his hands. "You seem more relaxed than you were last night. Were you able to sleep?"

Her heart fluttered like a hummingbird against her chest. "Yes, thank you. How about you? I hope the couch was comfortable enough."

He stabbed his fork into the eggs and took a bite. "It was fine. These are great, by the way." Myles took in another forkful.

Hudson beamed under his praise. "I'm glad you like them." She looked down for a moment before meeting his gaze. "I feel safe with you here. Like nothing bad can reach me."

A look she didn't understand flashed across his face. Had she said too much? She should have bit her tongue! Myles didn't need to know every thought that went through her head. It's okay to keep some things to herself. It's just—he made her feel like opening up. He made her feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. She'd never felt that way before. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I don't want you to feel like you have to be here."

"I don't feel like I have to be here," he said. "I want to be here. This isn't an obligation to me. I enjoy being with you. In fact, I'd like to see you even more. Just the two of us. Not another double date. At least, not for a long while." He grinned, his cheeks slightly pink underneath his tan.

She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. The art show would be starting next week. Maybe he'd like to go with her and check out the display? Her very first show; the occasion was special. It might be nice to share that with someone other than Annie. "What are you doing Monday?" she asked, before she lost the nerve.

Myles looked pleasantly surprised by her question. "Hanging out with you?"

And it was at that very moment Hudson knew she was falling in love.

"Hudson," Annie called from the other side of the door. "Are you two decent in there or are you fucking each other's brains out?"

A laugh erupted from her throat. She could just see Miss Prim and Proper turning fifty shades of red! Poor Hudson. So weak and innocent. What would she ever do if Annie weren't around to keep things under control? Hudson was damn lucky she turned up when she did. Who else would keep her safe? Who would keep her sane? She knew Hudson better than Hudson knew herself. And she was right. Annie was always right. Hudson knew that, and Annie knew it, too. One of them had to be.

She pounded on the door until it finally swung open. Sure enough, her friend stood on the opposite side, her cheeks flushed red. "What are you doing?" Hudson hissed. "Get in here."

"I brought your mail," Annie said sweetly, her lips sliding into a smirk. She tossed the pile of envelopes onto the table. "Where's lover boy?"

"He just left." Hudson narrowed her eyes and twisted the silver bracelet on her wrist. "What's your problem?"

"It's not my problem, it's yours. All of the problems are yours," Annie singsonged. "Just like when we were kids. That's why I'm here, or did you forget?"

Hudson swallowed hard, the muscles in her throat visibly moving beneath her skin.

Annie watched as Hudson continued to fidget nervously with her bracelet. "Something's happened, hasn't it? I can tell by the look on your face. What is it?"

Her friend's emerald gaze darted off to the side. Hudson didn't want to look at her. She didn't want to face the truth. But she had to. Annie needed her to be honest, now more than ever. They were already in way over their heads. Never in a million years would they be able to keep this act up for long. Someone would catch on. Eventually. Then it would all blow up in their faces. Again.

"I said, what happened?" Annie asked again slowly, this time through gritted teeth.

Hudson took a step back and glanced at her bare feet. "He was here again. In the apartment."

"Who was here?"

"The—The Shepherd," Hudson stammered, her voice a near whisper. "He was here and he ruined my painting. The one of my mother's lilies." Her eyes filled with tears. One escaped and rolled down her cheek, leaving a glistening trail behind it.

Annie's gaze shifted across the apartment. Sure enough, the painting was gone. "Is that why Myles spent the night?"

Hudson nodded, refusing to make eye contact.

"So he didn't stay for fun? You never slept with him?"

"He slept on the couch."

Annie snorted. "Figures."

From a nearby table, Hudson's cell phone went off. She began to squirm under its incessant ring.

"Aren't you going to get that?" Annie finally asked.

Hudson shook her head. "No."

"Why not?"

"Because I know who it is."

"So do I. You know, you're going to have to deal with him sooner or later."

"I know that," Hudson whispered.

Annie folded her arms over her chest. "So, why not now? He's not gonna go away."

"I know," she said again.

"This isn't like before, is it?" Annie asked, letting out a sigh. "We both know how it will end. Don't forget what Dr. Beldini said. You need to let it go. It's not healthy holding onto the past."

"No!" Hudson finally looked up, her gaze boring into hers. "This isn't like before. I promise."

"Let's hope not." Annie cocked her head to the side, trying to analyze her friend's expression. Hudson could be so dense sometimes. It was a wonder she'd made it as far as she had. "Just remember: I know you better than you know yourself."

"How can I forget?" Hudson demanded, her voice laced with pent-up irritation. "You never let me." She tapped her fingertips against the side of her leg.

"You're tapping your fingers again. Did something just change?"

"No. Nothing's changed."

"Okay. I believe you. I always believe you, Annie. You know that, right?"

She nodded her head.

"You know, I've seen this before. I know what it means."

She knew what it meant, too. Or did she?

"Did you bring Hudson with you today? I thought I ran into her a bit ago."

"No."

"Are you sure?"

She shrugged. "Maybe she came on her own, but I didn't bring her."

Or had she? She didn't even know anymore ...

"Annie, there are no secrets that time does not reveal ..."

But she already knew that. Of course, she did.