“I guess you told her no.”
Hudson laughed. “I did, yes. Told her I had plans for dinner with you. I think that might have been a mistake, though.”
I suddenly felt as if I might throw up. I set my fork down and cleared my throat. “If you didn’t want to come tonight, Hudson, you––”
He quickly cut me off. “What? No, Greer, that wasn’t what I meant at all. I wanted to be here. It’s all I’ve been thinking about all day.”
My eyes widened as I whispered, “Really?”
“Yes. I just meant that Jean must be a bit of a gossip. I ran into the hardware store earlier, and the guy who owns the place told me to have a good dinner with you tonight.”
I closed my eyes and cursed my mother. I couldn’t tell Hudson that it was most likely my mother who blabbed, because then he’d realize I had already known about Jean.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t have pegged Jean for a gossip,” he said, “but then, I don’t really know her.”
Swallowing hard, I just nodded. “Let me go check on the dessert.”
“Dessert, huh?” Hudson asked as he wiggled his brows. “Chocolate?”
With a nervous laugh, I stood. “That’s what I promised.”
The second I got into the kitchen, I grabbed my phone and sent a text to my mother.
Me: OMG, MOM! Did you tell people Hudson and I were having dinner tonight?
Her reply came instantly.
Mom: I only told Millie Parks, I swear. Of course, there were a few other people in the candy store at the time who might have overheard me.
Me: I am NEVER talking to you again! Never!
Mom: How’s dinner going? Must be bad if you’re texting me. Do you need some pointers, honey?
I stared at my phone, then set it down before I looked over at the chocolate ganache brownies I had made earlier. With a deep breath, I headed back into the dining room. My place was huge, and most of the rooms were separated by walls; it wasn’t a modern, open-floor design, thankfully. When I got back to the table, I quickly sat.
“Dessert is cooled but still warm and ready to eat whenever you want it.”
Hudson wiped his mouth with his napkin and gave me the sexiest grin I’d ever seen. “Tell me what it is.”
The way he spoke in a low, deep voice that oozed sex nearly had me purring my response.
“It’s, um…”
Oh dear God. I forgot how to talk again. Look away from him, Greer! Look away!
“A, um…um, what is it called again?”
Hudson leaned back in his chair and smiled. That bastard knew he had messed with my thinking.
I suddenly found my voice. “It’s chocolate ganache brownies.”
His brows slowly rose, and I watched as he ran his tongue over his lips. “With vanilla ice cream?”
Annnnd there goes my fuzzy brain again. Damn this man. Forcing myself to speak clearly and not like a crazed woman, I laughed as if offended by his question. “Of course. Who would dare serve warm brownies without ice cream?”
He flashed me a panty-melting smile that nearly had me sighing like a lovesick puppy.
“Should I clear the plates and get you a brownie?” I asked.
“How about I help you clear the plates.”
With a shake of my head, I replied, “Nope. You’re the guest. I’ll do the cleaning up.”
I stood and reached for his dish, but Hudson took hold of my arm to stop me. “We never opened the wine.” He looked at the unopened bottle sitting on the table and then back up at me.
The press of his hand made my entire body feel like it was trembling. “I guess we didn’t.”
Our eyes met, and for the briefest moment, I swore I heard the air crackle between us.
He let go of me and said, “Then I guess we’ll have to open it and have it with dessert.”
Every inch of my body heated as I fought to control my breathing. “I like the sound of this plan.”
Hudson
What was I doing, flirting with Greer like that? Playing with fire, that’s what I was doing.
Greer cleared her throat. “Let me get the table clear and then I’ll bring out dessert.”
“Nonsense, let me help you since you did the cooking. Guest or not, I wasn’t raised that way.” I stood with her and started to clear the table.
Her cheeks turned that beautiful shade of pink again, and it made my dick jump in my pants and had me willing myself not to touch her.
“Okay, then. That only means we’ll be having dessert much faster.”
I laughed. “What