Fairy Tales and Cappuccinos (Everyday Love #1) - Taylor Rylan Page 0,18
as I walked off toward the front of the store. I’d not done much by way of stocking shelves or things of that nature in the week I’d been here. I had spent a lot of time setting up a website for Fairy Tales as well as making endless lists of things to be accomplished. Finding out that there was already a license for retail food establishment pushed my plans into overdrive.
“Did you order a coffee machine?” I called out. I turned around and ran smack into a very solid chest—one that did not belong to Hudson, but when I looked way up into dark eyes, they were crinkling at me.
“Hello there. You have to be Sawyer. Hudson hasn’t shut up about you, and he described you perfectly.”
“Umm…” I’d lost my tongue. The man was all man. His body was hard and wide, and he was definitely still holding me.
“Ford, hands off,” Hudson said. I looked at the man I’d been spending every free moment thinking about before I looked back to the one who was now smirking.
“Why? There’s no fun in that.”
“Hands off,” Hudson said again. This time though, he pushed his way between us and wrapped his left arm around behind himself, pulling me tight to him. I had gone from being plastered to Ford’s front to being glued to Hudson’s back. I couldn’t help it. I took advantage of the situation and placed my hands on Hudson’s sides. Damn they were firm. What did he look like under his sweaters and button-downs? Wait, Ford?
“Oh, you’re Ford, Hudson’s cousin. I’m Sawyer. It’s nice to meet you,” I said while peeking around Hudson. Even though all I wanted to do was lean into his back for a bit, I stepped out and around Hudson and held out my hand.
“And you’re Sawyer. Hudson’s new—”
“Employee,” Hudson said after clearing his throat. I looked between the two while Ford held my hand. I could certainly see the resemblance, although Ford was definitely taller. And wider. But what was going on with Hudson? He gave Ford a look that I couldn’t quite make out, but it had Ford letting go of my hand.
“We were just talking about going to the home improvement store. Was there a reason you stopped by?” Hudson asked.
“No. Just that I was in the area and thought I’d stop in and say hi. And meet your new…employee,” Ford said, putting a bit of an emphasis on “employee.”
Something was going on. Definitely. I just had to figure out what.
“Yeah, well, now you have. Don’t you have a vehicle to go tow or something? Or maybe something else?”
“I do. I’ll see you later. It was nice to meet you, Sawyer,” Ford said before he turned around and headed for the door.
“Umm, you too,” I called out but looked over at Hudson, who was watching his cousin leave. “What was that?” I asked.
“What? You met my cousin now. He’s the only family I really have. Grandma raised us together.”
“You mentioned that before. But that’s not what I meant. What was—”
“So are you busy tonight?” Hudson asked, surprising me. Only I shouldn’t have gotten excited so soon. “We could run to the store and get everything you mentioned.”
Of course he wasn’t asking me out. No, he was wanting to go to the home improvement store with me because I had the list and I knew what was needed for the project. He couldn’t have possibly have been…claiming me? when he pulled me behind his back and away from his cousin. I deflated inside and shook my head. I wasn’t busy. Ever.
“Yeah, sure. Just let me let Chris know I’ll be late for supper.”
“Oh, yeah. Your friend?” Hudson said, and once again, the way he said “friend” caught my attention. Was he jealous of Chris?
“You haven’t really mentioned him much. Have you known him long? You’re not from here, so how did you meet?” Hudson asked. He walked over to the front door and flipped the lock before he turned the sign around to closed.
“It’s not six yet,” I said when he locked the door. “And I’ve known Chris my entire life. I think since we were four? Maybe five? It had to have been five since we were in kindergarten together.”
“True that it’s not yet closing time. But it’s all of twenty degrees outside, and the sun has already set. I think we’re okay. Did you want to ride with me? Or go in separate vehicles?”