together. If it worked, I could potentially move forward with ordering materials since I had a healthy chunk of seed money. Hudson had also found me a perfect warehouse location and had set up a meeting for me to talk to the owner. Things were moving fast with Plush Pet Homes and Fur…nishings.
Plus, Lauren had had Jack that week, so Hudson and I had taken full advantage of the alone time. But it was the weekend again, and Jack was with his dad, which worked out great because I had the most fun when he was around. And we had two more hands for my project.
Bonus, Jack was just as excited about it as me.
No one had told him about us yet, but after talking like adults and compromising—painful and awkward as it had been—we’d come to the decision that if it came up or if the time felt right, we’d do it.
“I don’t know what you mean, Dad. I’m lifting with my arms just like you.”
Hudson stood and wiped the sweat from his face with the bottom inside of his shirt and my mouth watered. That washboard stomach. That V. Those arms and hands. I was a lucky woman.
“Yes, hold it with your arms, but when you bring it up, let your legs lift your load and your upper body at the same time. Let them do most of the work.”
Life lessons, y’all.
Hudson was a great lifter. I knew firsthand, because just that morning when I’d been trying to get dressed before he went to pick up Jack, Hudson had lifted me in my closet with ease. Who knew closet sex was a thing? Another bonus, I found my floppy garden hat on the top shelf when I had a higher view of things.
Blushing, I heaved a bag of hardware into the back seat, and Hudson glanced at me, his eyes wide, like he knew we were about to have a long day. A laugh slipped out of my mouth and I covered it. I didn’t want to offend my free helpers.
“Oh, I get it. That’s what I was doing.”
“Whatever. You’re going to give me gray hair, bud.”
Jack struggled, obviously not taking his father’s advice, and chucked a board into the bed of the truck.
“Hey, easy. Those cost money,” I chided.
Completely disregarding both of us and the job we were doing, he stated, “Lex, Dad has a booklet at home for the animal shelter. I think I’m wearing him down. Maybe the next one of these we build will be for my dog.”
Little did he know, I’d gone with Hudson that week to check out a few that were up for adoption, but the workers told us they were getting a litter of pug mixes a few weeks later. So we’d held off.
“Oh, really. You don’t say.”
“I do say, and I’m going to name him Reuben.” He giggled and added, “It’s the pig on Minecraft.”
“What about if it’s a girl?”
His face bunched as if he were grossed out by the idea, and he looked at his dad for solidarity.
Hudson’s brows shot up, and he placed a rather hefty bundle down.
Did I mention he was sweaty, how his muscles were glistening like a slicked-up Mr. Universe?
Anyway, Hudson waited for Jack to answer me because he’d pretty much decided on a female since he’d found out they were easier to potty train.
“We don’t want a girl,” Jack continued. “At the Bradley house, we’re all men. No girls allowed.”
I couldn’t help but grimace.
“Is that so?” Hudson asked. “What if I got a girlfriend?”
Jack held his arms out, and I stacked a few small pieces into his hands as he grinned up at me. “She better like Aunt Lex. That’s all I’ve gotta say.”
Over his son’s head, he shot me a look like wanna do it now? and I shook my head. I just wanted to live in that moment a little while. Jack didn’t care if a woman came into their lives as long as she liked me. That boy had my heart.
Additionally, the beaming smile on Hudson’s face did naughty things to me, and suddenly, I was disappointed that we’d also decided sleepovers when he had Jack were a no-no for the time being, whether Jack knew about us or not.
I wonder what my parents are doing for a few hours later.
“Anyone who doesn’t like Lex doesn’t know what they’re missing,” Hudson stated, giving his kid a high-five.