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Chapter Twenty
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“You can’t leave yet,” Starr whines, propping her hip on the bathroom sink next to me as I wash my hands. “You’ve only been here twenty minutes.”
“Twenty minutes with that woman is more than enough for me,” I say, swinging my arm in the direction of the bathroom door.
“Don’t you think it’s good though, seeing how they are together? He clearly isn’t into her. That has to make you feel better.”
“Unfortunately, no, it doesn’t make me feel much better because it’s obvious she is very much into him.” I dry my hands on a paper towel and toss it in the trash before turning to face my sister.
“Who cares if she’s into him? He hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night. I can tell it’s driving her crazy. She gets this look on her face every time he touches you. God, I bet she has never wanted a man she couldn’t have before. Must be strange for her.”
“Well that certainly doesn’t make me feel all tingly inside. If she wants him that bad what’s to say she won’t make her move?”
“I don’t think it would matter if she did. Hudson’s not interested.”
“How can you be so sure? Have you looked at her?”
“I have but I’m also looking at you. I know it’s easy to get distracted by how pretty she is and the fact that she’s famous–we all know I’m guilty of said distraction–but don’t let that make you question what you bring to the table, Lenny. You may not see it but you are million times prettier than Annabelle and a billion times more kick ass.” Starr gives me a reassuring smile.
“You have to say that because you’re my sister.” I pout playfully.
“Yes, I do have to say it; but not because I’m your sister. Because it’s true. I see it. Hudson clearly sees it. Maybe it’s time you see it too. He chose you. A man who can quite literally haveanywoman he wants, chose you. A man like Hudson doesn’t come along every day. For most of us someone like that is an unattainable fantasy, but you’ve got him. Don’t waste it focused on someone or something you can’t control. Annabelle is not in your control. You can’t stop her from flirting with Hudson or from even throwing herself at him. What you can control is the trust and love you have for Hudson. You have to know he would never betray you that way.”
“But do I know that? We were together for three months before I found out he was secretly married,” I remind her of a fact I recently shared with her. She’s team Hudson all the way but even she was a little taken back by the news. “How do I really know what he’s capable of?” I voice my real concern.
At the end of the day, no matter how deeply I feel for Hudson or how much I believe he loves me, he’s deceived me before. And even though I’ve forgiven him I certainly have not forgotten. I think in a way I’ve been holding my breath ever since then, just waiting for something else to happen.
“That’s where trust comes in, Lenny. If you can’t trust him, you can’t be with him. It’s that simple.”
“I do trust him. I just worry.”
“And it’s totally normal to worry. Hell, I’d be a wreck if I were in your shoes. But don’t let that worry consume you.”
“I’m doing my best.” I let out a slow breath. “We should probably get back out there.”
“Colton seems pretty awesome.” Starr switches gears, following me from the bathroom into the dimly lit hallway at the back of the bar.
The venue is more like two bars in one. There’s a large space at the front of the building that’s open to the public, then a more exclusive room in the back that’s occupied by the sixteen of us that came over from the concert.
“He is,” I respond to Starr.
“If things end up not working out with Hudson you could always go for his best friend. Yummy.” She fans her face.
“Do I need to remind you that you’re married?” I point out in a hushed tone as we reenter the room that’s buzzing with conversation.
“Married, yes. Dead, no. I can still appreciate a hot guy, Lenny.”
“Just make sure that appreciation doesn’t land you in a world of trouble.”
“Oh please. I love my man. I would never.” She crinkles her nose.
Not commenting on her statement, I slide up next to Hudson, smiling when his arm instantly wraps around my waist in a protective hold.
“Took you long enough.” He looks up at me and smiles.
“I couldn’t get that one to shut up.” I hitch my thumb at my sister who’s reclaimed her seat across from us next to Colton.
