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She never did know when to drop it. “Since I realized I had something bigger than myself... Something more important than just me to fight for.”
I’m expecting her to give me shit for that person being Maddie and not her or my family, but she doesn’t. And I’m an asshole for even thinking that. That’s not Imogen, and it neverhasbeen. Not with me.
“Remind me to thank Maddie then.” She reaches across my plate and steals a big chunk of egg, red pepper, and cheese, then snags a piece of my toast.
“For what? Breakfast?” I push the rest of my plate in front of her.
“No. I love Mads, but she’s not exactly a good cook. It’s pretty hard to mess up eggs... I mean, it’s edible, but”—she shakes her head—“whatever. I meant you, you big baboon. For getting through to you on a level the rest of us couldn’t.”
She makes another egg sandwich but leaves it sitting on her plate. “I’ve known you a long time, Hud. I was there when Lenny and Jace’s mom died and then a few years later when your dad died. I was there when you found out about Amelia and when you wanted to kill my brother for sleeping with your sister. I’ve been there for everything since we were sixteen years old, and I’ve never not been able to get through to you before. But she did. She’s really good for you, Hud. Don’t let her go.”
“I’m not letting her go. Ever.” As the words leave my mouth, my resolve strengthens.
I know, without a shadow of a doubt, Madison Dixon was always meant to be mine.
“Then you need to start living again. Because right now, you’re hiding. And that’s not the Hudson Kingston I know.”
She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand, then pushes my plate back toward me. “Now eat up and get back to the gym before you get flabby and she dumps you.”
I rest my hand on top of hers. “Thanks, Gen.”
“Anytime.”
* * *
My conversationwith Imogen plays on repeat in my mind for the rest of the day. I’ve always been a man of action. Until this past week.
It’s like I’ve been paralyzed with guilt and remorse.
With self-doubt and self-loathing.
But Maddie has a way of getting under my skin that no one else ever has.
The sun is already setting that afternoon when I step into the living room. Maddie sits on the couch in front of the fireplace, the flames lighting her pretty face, and a cup of tea in her hand. She has her open MacBook on her lap and a notebook on the table in front of her. Her hair is piled on top of her head in a messy bun with a pen sticking out of it.
She’s messy and stunning.
And when she hears me, and lifts her eyes to mine, her smile is everything.
I swear to God, my heart skips a beat, and I have to remind myself to breathe.
“What’cha working on, baby?” I sit down next to her and pull her legs across my lap.
With a sigh, she closes her computer and moves it to the side. “The social-media campaign for Start A Revolution’s holiday food drive. It ends next week. I promised Daphne one more big push before then.”
I dig my fingers into the arch of her foot, and she moans. “Ohh. That feels nice.”
“Move in with me,” I blurt the words out with absolutely no couth whatsoever.
Maddie startles. “What? Are you serious?”
“Yeah, I am. Move in with me, Madison. Having you here feels right. This is where you’re supposed to be.” With each word I say, another piece of our puzzle clicks into place, completing the picture of the life I want. The one she deserves even if I don’t. “I want you to be the first person I see in the morning, and I want to be the last one you see at night.”
“Hudson... we’ve barely been together for a week.” She runs her teeth over her bottom lip nervously. “It’s sofast.” The last word comes out more like a question than an answer.
“We’ve known each other for three years, sunshine.” I drop her feet and pull her into my lap. “And I know I love you. I know that’s not changing.”
“Hud...” She closes her eyes and leans her head against my chest before looking back up. “This is crazy. I feel like I’m about to jump off a cliff.”
