One Tiny Lie – Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,33
to tell you. Thanks for taking the day off today, so we could go bike riding. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to carve out time, with the harvest approaching.”
He grinned broadly. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” He gave her an appraising look. “You’re quite the biker.”
A smile twitched on her lips. “So are you.”
“We should go into San Francisco and get us some good bikes.”
“I would love that,” she beamed. As she looked across the table at this handsome, kind man, she couldn’t help but think how blessed she was to cross paths with him. Happiness was within her grasp. She just had to figure out how to tell Hudson the truth.
He gave her a hesitant look. “What are the chances that I could get you out on a boat again? After yesterday?”
Her eyes rounded as she pondered the question. She knew she’d have some PTSD the next time she got on a boat. However, she wanted to face her fears quickly so that she could put them to rest. Luna had always enjoyed swimming and being on Hudson’s boat was exhilarating … right up until she was knocked overboard. “Pretty good, so long as we leave Dustin and Margot at home.”
He burst out laughing. “Deal,” he exclaimed. He gave her a speculative look. “So, are we going for a swim tonight?”
“Tonight?” she squeaked and then saw the wicked grin flit over his lips and realized he was teasing.
She relaxed into her seat. “I guess we could go just like we are.”
He leaned in. “Or we could do like we used to.”
“Oh?”
“We could strip down to our underwear.” His eyes simmered with mischief. “Remember the last time we did that? We got in so much trouble when your dad came home and caught us.”
She forced a chuckle as a hot ping of jealousy darted through her. While it was foolish to be envious of Ava and all the memories, she was. Luna wanted to know everything about Hudson, and she wanted him to know her—the real her. She wouldn’t have been caught dead swimming in her underwear with some boy, even if he was a close family friend. “That was a long time ago,” she said lightly as she took a sip of her lemonade. It was a little on the tart side. She’d need to add more sugar next time.
“Yes, it was,” he agreed.
“So,” she began, “have you read any good books lately?” Luna was an avid reader. She enjoyed reading various genres of fiction, as well as biographies.
“Actually, I’ve been reading some marketing books.”
“Which ones?”
He looked puzzled. “You really wanna know?”
“Of course.”
A pleased smile spread over his lips. “Wow, you have changed.”
Irritation crawled up her neck. “I’m so tired of everyone telling me how much I’ve changed,” she muttered.
He caught hold of her hand. “I like the change.”
“You do?”
“Yes, I do. Don’t take this the wrong way because I’ve always thought you were great. However, you have a complexity that you never had before.” His gaze penetrated hers with such intensity that she felt like he was seeing into her soul. “I feel a connection with you that wasn’t there before.”
“I’m so glad,” she uttered in part joy and part relief. Earlier, when she and Hudson had kissed, he said it had never been like that before. He had no idea how much his words meant to her. They sank into her heart, giving her hope that Hudson could love her for her.
His thumb rubbed maddening circles over her skin. “Ava, you know how I’ve always felt about you.”
“Yes,” she said softly, wondering where this was going. That was the one kink in this whole thing. Hudson had always been in love with Ava. Would he be devastated when he learned the truth?
“But whatever’s happening between us … it’s different.”
“Different in a good way?” she asked quietly, bracing herself for the answer.
“Different in a great way.” He graced her with a large, unencumbered smile that splashed warmth through her heart. “It really does feel like we’re being given a fresh start.”
“It does,” she answered.
His eyes searched hers, and she detected pain, uncertainty. “Promise me that it won’t end.”
Her heart began to thud heavily in her chest. “What do you mean?” A sense of foreboding trickled over her. She was playing with fire. Hudson would feel betrayed when he learned the truth.
He swallowed, his jaw working. “I know how hard commitment has been for you in the past.”
A startled laugh rose in her throat. “W—what?” Even