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He smirks, "You're a book nerd?"
"I'm a bibliophile. There's a difference."
He leans in, his lips inches from mine. "Oh yeah, so enlighten me. What is the difference?"
"A bibliophile is a lover of books, who also collects them." I feel my cheeks heating. I feel like a geek. "Whereas a book nerd is someone who always has their head stuck in a book, technically learning."
He stares at me in disbelief. "Princess." He murmurs and shakes his head.
"If you want to be technical about it, a nerd is an unattractive, socially awkward, annoying, undesirable, and/or boring person."
His hand tightens on my leg, "You're not boring, annoying or socially awkward. You are definitely not undesirable. And the fucking opposite of unattractive."
I shrug, I don't think I'm ugly, but I'm not stunning.
"Fucking hell." He mutters, "Okay, Princess, let’s get one thing straight. You're gorgeous, every fucking inch of you is. I should know I've seen every one of those inches." My breath catches at his words and I squeeze my legs tighter together. Why does he always do this to me?
"Understand?" He asks as his hand on my thigh adds pressure; he wants me to open my legs. That's not happening, not here where anyone could walk in and see us.
I nod and continue eating, I'm starting to get really tired, and I want to check in on Lacey. I sent her a couple of messages while we were driving back, she answered them saying she was fine, but I need to see it to believe it.
"What are you going to do after you finish college?" He asks after a few moments of silence.
I shrug, "I've not fully decided yet. I'd love to be an English teacher or an editor." I throw the last of my fries into my mouth and reach for my Coke.
He studies me for a beat, "Editing? Is that something that you'd like to do? Teaching seems like it'll be more..." His head moves as if he's trying to find the right word to say, "Exhilarating... Rewarding even."
Placing my drink down on the counter, "Both editing and teaching would be rewarding, each in their own way. Take teaching, knowing that you could help a child is one of the most rewarding things in this world. Children, young adults are the future and if you can help them weave their own path, be a part in helping them become the best that they can be. That would be the best feeling in the world."
His gaze is intense, as he stares at me. It's like he's transfixed. He's hanging on my every word. This man gives me his full attention, and I love it. "What about editing?" He doesn't sound very convinced that it's worthwhile.
"Getting to edit someone's book, a book that they've poured their heart and soul into. Being a part of the process to take that diamond in the rough and make it into a shiny, polished one." I shake my head as goosebumps cover my body. "Having a book you worked on hit the bestseller lists." I don't think I'm selling editing that much, I can't express the words as to what being an editor would mean.
"I see that you're passionate about both of them. Now, I have a question for you..." Oh shit, that sounds ominous. "Would you think about going to college here in Cali?"
My eyes widen, "Um, why?"
His eyes narrow, and I feel as though I've said the wrong thing. "Why?" He grits out, "I've been looking for you for almost two fucking years, I've finally got you, do you really think I'm letting you go?"
Oh... I have no idea what to say to that.
"Mia, what do you think we're doing here?" He asks sounding exasperated.
"I don't know Hudson, I have no idea what we're doing. You're the only person I've been with." I blurt out, I don't want him to think that I'm playing around, I'm not, I just don't have a clue as to what I should be doing. This relationship thing, if that's what we're doing, it doesn't come with a manual. I'm winging it.
He smiles at me and I'm pretty sure he's actually laughing at me. "Princess, you're cute. So would you relocate?"
"Can I think about it?" That smile he had instantly vanishes. "I left Cali for a reason Hudson. Being here reminds me so much of what I've lost. I miss my dad every day and I left because I couldn't deal with the constant reminders." I want to go to his grave, I'll go when Lacey's home.
His eyes soften. "What about when you're here?"
I scoff, "God, there's not one bit of my dad in this house. A man my mom spent over fifteen years with. It's like he's been forgotten. I hate that my mom's wiped him from her life. It hurts that she doesn't think he deserves to be in her life. He's dead, and no matter if she didn't love him, they still had years together, good years together. Having one picture of us would show that she had a heart you know?" Tears sting my eyes, I didn't realize how much Mom hiding him has affected me.
I hear a gasp behind me and close my eyes. Great, Mom's heard everything.
"Princess." Hudson says low, his deep voice soothing and I open my eyes and see him staring at me, his amber eyes so full of worry.
Taking a deep breath, "I'm going to check in on Lacey and then I'm going to bed. Meet you there?" I whisper as my fingers reach for his and I gently brush them with mine.
