One Tiny Lie – Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,6

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As if Hudson’s devastatingly handsome looks weren’t enough to command the attention of every female in the room, he also had an innate charisma that he wore like a second skin. Luna traced the outline of his wide shoulders, moving down to his tapered waist and flat abs. Hudson was into outdoor sports, namely rock climbing, dirt bike racing, and sailing. It showed in his lithe, athletic frame that had just the right amount of muscles. Always the consummate gentleman, Hudson went to his mother first and kissed her cheek. “Sorry I’m late. I got held up at the winery.”

“No worries, dear. We just got here.” She floated him a look of adoration.

Hudson gave Beverly a dazzling smile and nod of greeting before turning his attention to Luna. “Hey,” he said warmly, his eyes crinkling around the edges as he smiled.

“Hey,” Luna repeated with a goofy grin. She was supposed to be poised and elegant, not some silly schoolgirl with a huge crush on the most glamorous and exciting guy she’d ever met.

Before Luna realized what was happening, Hudson leaned in, his lips brushing hers. “You look beautiful,” he murmured.

A sizzle of awareness shot through Luna. For a second, she was spellbound. Hudson drew back, and she thought she caught a flicker of genuine surprise in his blue-green eyes. He looked baffled, decentered. Had he also felt the zing of attraction? “Thanks,” she responded as she looked down. Luna could count on one hand the number of dates she’d been on. She was so inept when it came to matters of romance. She’d fallen hard for one other man, and that had been a disaster. Why did she think this go-around would be any different? Hudson had made it clear that he was tired of getting the shaft and that he no longer wanted to marry Ava.

The first day Luna had met Hudson, she was starstruck, to the point where she couldn’t fathom why Ava was running from a man like him. Hudson heightened Luna’s senses, making her feel so completely in the moment. But with the rush of anticipation came a flutter of panic. She had no idea how to navigate the situation. After all, she was pretending to be Ava, and Ava hadn’t been interested in Hudson romantically.

Just as she was trying to figure out how to remain aloof from a man she was wildly attracted to, Hudson dropped a bombshell about no longer wanting to marry her … err Ava. He explained that when Ava had up and disappeared for several weeks that he took a hard look at himself. He realized that he couldn’t keep holding onto the hope that Ava would grow to love him.

Even though Luna understood where Hudson was coming from and could tell that he’d been hurt deeply by Ava’s indifference towards him, Luna couldn’t help but feel like Hudson was turning her down personally. Ever since then, Hudson had been polite when he was around Luna but super guarded. This left Luna walking on eggshells, trying to keep Beverly and Todd appeased about the engagement, all the while knowing that it wasn’t going to happen. Her only solace had been the hope that Luna and Ava’s plan to earn money from the music would help save the vineyard.

Luna didn’t blame Hudson for withdrawing from her or Ava. He deserved to find a woman who loved him for him, not for what his family could offer. It was the age-old case of love versus money. Luna’s thoughts shifted back to the present. She blinked, realizing that both Beverly and Juliette were watching her with pleased, smug looks. Heat rose in her cheeks. Anyone could see that she was crazy about Hudson. Sheesh. All he’d done was give her an obligatory peck on the lips, and it had thrown her into a tailspin. Her head argued that she shouldn’t be getting so worked up right now. The kiss meant nothing to Hudson. Why was her heart having such a hard time getting the message?

Hudson sat down on Luna’s right. How was she supposed to eat with him this close, much less make a good impression on Juliette? If only she were more like Ava who’d been bred for this type of thing. She needed to channel Ava, think of how she’d act right now.

“What have you been up to today?” Beverly asked Hudson.

Luna was grateful that Beverly was taking control of the conversation, so that it got her off the hook. Luna had