Playing with Words (Boggy Creek Valley #2) - Kelly Elliott Page 0,4

her up.

“Yes!” Candace added as she bounced on her toes. “Greer is obsessed with history. And oh so very single.”

Hudson looked at me, a curious expression on his face. “Is that so?”

Oh God. Which is he referring to? Me being single or the history buff part? Shit. Shit. Shit.

“Not obsessed, just curious is all.”

“And the single part?” he asked.

I felt my cheeks instantly heat up. With an awkward-sounding laugh, I waved my hand in front of me as if dismissing the fact that two of my friends had just tried to set me up with this handsome stranger. “Yes. I’m, um…not currently dating anyone.”

Candace snorted and whispered, “Except for Netflix.”

I quickly shot her a dirty look before focusing back on Hudson.

He gave me a polite smile and nod and then he cleared his throat and headed to the exit. He was moving so fast, it was as if he were suddenly on fire and needed to find a water trough to jump into. “Enjoy the rest of your afternoon, ladies,” he called over his shoulder, practically running out the door.

“You too!” Candace and Maggie singsonged at the same time.

The way he rushed out of the bookstore spoke volumes about what he thought about getting a tour from me. I tried to ignore the way that made my chest ache.

“Okay, wow. That is the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on,” Maggie said, leaning against the counter.

Candace turned and looked at me. “He practically ran out of here when we mentioned that you’re single.”

“How do you know it wasn’t because you both were trying to throw us together for a tour of the town and you embarrassed him or something?

Candace and Maggie looked at each other, then back at me. “No, it was you confirming you were single that freaked him out. I doubt we’ll be seeing his fine ass anytime soon.”

Maggie giggled as I shrugged and said, “He’s probably a jerk, anyway. Any guy that good-looking knows he’s good-looking. I’m not the least bit interested in learning any more about the man.

I could feel both of their eyes on me as I made my way around the counter and pulled out a box that had been delivered earlier. I quickly got to work checking in the items and adding them to the inventory. There was no way I was going to even try to dissect Hudson’s reaction.

At least not until later tonight, when I had a beer in one hand and a pint of ice cream in the other while I soaked in a hot bath.

Hudson

The moment I walked out of Turning Pages, I had to force myself not to run to my rented SUV. My heart was still beating out of control from the way Greer had stumbled on her words and smiled at me. My God, I had never seen a more beautiful woman or smile.

“What in the fuck was that?” I whispered to myself as I made my way down the sidewalk. It was wet from earlier today, when a fall shower had passed through and lowered the temperature just a bit.

As I walked along the street, I smiled and greeted the folks I passed. Boggy Creek was just like I had remembered. The people who lived here were friendly, the town was still small, and it was quiet. Unlike New York City, where I could hardly hear myself think at times. And it was lovely. And clean-smelling. Every few feet were hanging baskets of flowers off the street lamps that not only offered a pretty sight, but the lovely scent of fresh flowers.

I glanced back over my shoulder…for what, I wasn’t sure. I highly doubted Greer Larson had followed me out of her bookstore.

The second I saw my rental car, I let out a breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding. Once I’d opened the door, I nearly threw my laptop bag onto the passenger seat, slid in, and started up the white Chevy Blazer. I dropped my head back onto the headrest and let out a humorless laugh. “Jesus, Hudson, could you have been any more obvious?”

From the first moment I’d caught sight of Greer Larson standing behind the counter of Turning Pages, I hadn’t been able to keep my body from reacting to her. When she’d smiled and greeted me and then got tongue-tied, I felt my freaking heart jump. And the reaction my dick had was just as shocking.

There was something about her—other than her stunning looks—that made her the