and early.”
She answered the phone and while she spoke, I grabbed my purse. It was only one, and maybe Hudson hadn’t eaten yet. I’d go see if he wanted lunch before I took off, and at least that way I could let him know I was leaving.
There was an itch beneath my skin as I made my way to his office. After he left me this morning, I wasn’t sure he’d want to see me at all, but I had to try.
Don’t let me push you away.
He’d told me not to let him do this, and I’d fight for him. I only had to know what I was fighting against.
“Hey Stephanie.”
David and Hudson’s assistant grinned at me from behind her desk as I made my way to her. “Good afternoon, Lilly. How are you?”
“Good. Sandra sent me home early since we’re pretty dead down there.” Nodded my head toward Hudson’s office. “Is he busy?”
“He has Nina in there, but I doubt he’d mind if you interrupted him. Go for it.”
“Nina?” The name didn’t ring any bells, but she spoke it like I should know. As soon as I repeated the name, Stephanie’s lip curled.
“Yeah. Nina. His ex. Between you and me, I can’t stand the woman.”
His ex? As in ex-girlfriend?
Shock must have shown in my expression because Stephanie cringed. “He’s never mentioned her, I take it?”
“No.” And why that shook me so much I couldn’t explain. I’d never asked about relationships of his. Of course, he had ex-girlfriends.
But ones who stopped by while he was at work?
“It was a while ago, Lilly. And honestly, I’m sorry. It was none of my business to say anything.”
I glanced at his closed door. “Maybe I should wait? Or just… text.”
“No.” Her hand covered mine. Stephanie was sweet. Hudson and David both adored her, and she had a wicked sense of humor. She hadn’t told me any of this to hurt me and yet my chest still ached.
“It’s fine. I’m sure of it. Honestly, they barely talk anymore. At least not that I know of. Go say hi. I’m sure he won’t care at all. You’ll probably be saving him, actually.”
Curiosity seized my veins, making my skin tight. What kind of woman did Hudson date before he fell for a girl like me? She was probably gorgeous. Taller, thinner than me. Probably a sorority girl or a cheerleader. Someone who had an easy life and no baggage like parole conditions. She’d definitely have her own car. A college degree.
All the insecurities I’d fought so hard roared through me, making me doubt everything. Not his love for me… but how long it could when he could have something so much easier. More suitable.
Bile rose in my throat at the thought.
It was that realization that made me shake my head. “I’ll just text him,” I said and headed toward the elevator. “Thanks, Stephanie. Have a good weekend.”
“Lilly. Wait. I’m so sorry. There’s nothing between them. It’s over. Years ago. Swear it.” She was at the edge of her desk, making her way to me, but I stopped her with a raised hand.
“I know.” I pressed the button, thankful, so damn thankful the elevator hadn’t left yet. “I’ll see you.”
Dinner with his dad’s friends. The lie he spoke so easily that morning slammed back into me again. Was his ex the friend? Had he been telling me the truth and hidden this from me instead? All of my instincts raged to turn around, stomp to his office and demand to know what was going on. After all, I’d done it before. Once in the very place I was currently standing and yet I remembered how afterward, I’d been so embarrassed about it, accusing Hudson and David of things they didn’t do.
If I did it again, I’d probably end up looking equally crazy and I wouldn’t do that. Not in front of a woman Hudson used to date.
This was nothing. It had to be.
I stepped into the elevator and avoided looking at Hudson’s office.
So his ex-girlfriend was there.
Big deal.
He loved me.
But for how long? How long until he realized he could do so much better?
I made it home, burning hot beneath my coat and gloves and scarf despite the frigid December temperatures. We’d had three inches of snow the other day and the sidewalks were covered with slush and sand and salt that crunched beneath my boots.
His girlfriend.
Probably someone beautiful and perfect, so much like that woman Harper who caught me in the restroom at Brandon and Jenna’s