She waves him off. “Swinging a bat is not the same as a perfectly executed twirl.”
Hudson snickers. “Whatever, Len Goodman.”
I bark out a laugh at that one, and Lark shoots Hudson a narrow-eyed look. “Alright, smartass, it’s time for bed. Go brush your teeth.”
Hudson groans again, dragging it out for dramatic effect, but doesn’t argue. He shoves his chair back, grabs his empty bowl, and carries it to the sink. Then, without warning, he turns and wraps his arms around me.
I freeze for half a second, caught off guard. Then instinct kicks in, and I wrap my arms around him, holding on just as tight. He pulls away and turns to Lark, hugging her too.
“Night, guys,” he mumbles.
“Night, baby,” Lark murmurs, smoothing a hand over his hair.
He heads for the stairs but stops just before he reaches them. Glances back over his shoulder.
“I wish it could be like this every night,” he says quickly, almost like he didn’t mean to say it out loud.
Lark stills beside me. “Like what?”
Hudson shrugs, shifting on his feet. “Like, all three of us. Together.”
The words settle between us, heavier than they should be.
Lark looks at me. I look at her.
Then she looks away.
Hudson takes the stairs two at a time, disappearing before either of us can say anything. The sound of his door clicking shut echoes down the hallway, leaving nothing but silence in his wake.
Lark lets out a long breath, rubbing her forehead, her other arm crossing over her stomach. She stares at the spot where Hudson just stood like she’s still trying to process his words. Then she turns to me, eyes sharp, guarded. “Do you think we’re confusing him?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Confusing him how?”
She hesitates for half a second, then lifts her chin. “Maybe making him think we’re…I don’t know. Getting back together or something?”
Would that be so bad?
The thought comes fast, unbidden, landing in my chest with a weight I wasn’t expecting. She’s letting me in—just enough to be in Hudson’s life, but not enough to be in hers the way I used to be. And maybe things won’t ever be the same as they were before. Maybe I’ve ruined that chance.
But hell, I want it.
I keep my voice even. “Why would he think that?”
She levels me with a look, like she knows damn well why. “Oh, I don’t know,” she says dryly. “Maybe the flirty dancing in the kitchen?”
A slow smile tugs at my mouth. “So youwereflirting with me?”
Her eyes narrow, arms tightening over her chest. “No.Youwere flirting withme.”
I nod like I’m considering it. “Maybe. Hard to say.”
She scoffs. “It’s really not.”
“You’re the one who told me to twirl.”
Lark lets out an exasperated noise, throwing up her hands. “Oh, come on. You loved it.”
“Didn’t hate it,” I admit, tilting my head. “Kind of felt like a Disney prince.”
