One Tiny Lie – Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,31

to come clean to Ava, he could never tell her the truth—that he was the one who’d put the plan into motion about the marriage and her parents’ vineyard. Money was no object for Hudson or his family. He would gladly help the Gileses a thousand times over. His conscience argued that he should have offered to help without the contingency of marriage. That would’ve been the right thing to do. However, his longing for Ava was so strong that it overshadowed everything else. Should he tell Ava that he would help with her parent’s vineyard, even if she didn’t want to marry him?

His stomach pulled into a hard knot as he peddled faster. If he were a better man, that’s what he would do. But he needed Ava in his life. He didn’t know if he had the strength to tell her the truth because that could mean losing her. And, Hudson couldn’t fathom the thought of that.

8

“He’s here,” Luna proclaimed joyously when the doorbell chimed.

Rosalyn held out a hand. “Mantén la calma,” she admonished. “Be calm,” she translated when she saw Luna’s blank expression.

Luna hitched up her smile. “Oh, yeah.” She rubbed her sweaty palms on her sundress as she straightened to her full height, sucking in her stomach. “Do I look okay?” She smoothed a hand over the bodice of her dress. It was deep purple with large white flowers. Thanks to Rosalyn’s suggestions, Luna had paired it with white wedge sandals and silver dangling earrings.

Rosalyn sized her up. “Muy bonita,” she proclaimed, like an artist examining her masterpiece.

“Thank you,” Luna said with an appreciative smile. She knew enough Spanish to recognize that bonita meant beautiful or lovely. Her heart was pounding so furiously that it was making her dizzy. She wanted tonight to be perfect. She’d gotten Rosalyn to help her make chicken parmesan, Hudson’s favorite dish, according to Ava. The timing worked out well because Beverly and Todd were having dinner at the country club with some of their friends. When they realized that Luna was putting together a romantic dinner for Hudson, they were happy to get out of the way.

The doorbell rang again. Luna took a step forward to answer it, but Rosalyn stopped her. “You go on into the den. I’ll get the door.” Her dark eyes zinged with a mild reprimand. “You don’t want to seem over eager.”

“Good idea. Okay.” She hurried into the other room as Rosalyn answered the door. Luna couldn’t help but pace a few steps back and forth as she listened to the greetings taking place in the foyer. The bike ride this morning had been spectacular, especially the kisses. Her lips curved into an unconscious smile as she thought of those passionate, thorough kisses that had sent explosive currents running through her. Luna had only kissed one other man, but he’d been older. She frowned, squelching the all-too-familiar blip of anger and angst that arose whenever she thought of Douglas. She’d been so young then, so naïve, so desperate for a semblance of a loving relationship. Douglas had taken advantage of the loneliness that she’d felt over losing her mother. Even now, after all these years, Luna still felt a sense of shame as she looked back on the brief relationship she and Douglas had.

Her thoughts were thrust into the present when she realized that Hudson and Rosalyn were approaching. Not knowing what to do with her hands, she clasped them in front of her. Moistening her dry lips, she pasted on a bright smile. She felt like Cinderella, trying to fill the shoes of her more elegant, glamorous sister.

Hudson stepped in first, his athletic body moving with an easy grace. Her heart skipped a beat when their eyes met. “Hello,” he said, a crooked grin tugging at his lips.

“Hello,” she stuttered, taking in the length of his long, sinewy form. A white short-sleeve polo shirt showcased his cut biceps. His thick, curly dark hair was chicly messy, tumbling recklessly over one eye. He pushed it back with a quick movement, his blue green eyes moving over her with appreciation.

“You look great,” he murmured.

Heat crept into her cheeks. “Thanks.”

He crossed the distance between them and brushed her lips with his. The featherlight movement sent tantalizing spirals circling down her spine. “You smell great too,” he said in a low, husky murmur that purred through her chest.

“Thank you,” she smiled, feeling light enough to fly.

Hudson’s eyes danced with anticipation. “What’s on the agenda?”

A grin tipped her lips.