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“I didn’t have the opportunity to take advantage of much while I was here. So perhaps I will come back to just relax.”
“Please do. I think you’d enjoy it.”
“Are you going to come back on vacation, Hudson?” Caren asked. “I know this has been a working trip for you, too.”
“All my trips are working trips.”
“I know,” Caren said. “And that needs to change. You need more in your life than just work. Even if that work involves traveling to beautiful places around the world.”
Hudson shrugged. “We’ll see.”
Kayleigh had admired Hudson’s work ethic, but she was starting to see that the man took it above and beyond. She worked hard, but she also tried to protect her downtime.
From conversations they’d had, Hudson seemed to know that he needed to find a better balance in life. Kayleigh hoped that he’d be able to figure that out because it wasn’t healthy to never have time to just breathe.
Once they finished their coffees, Kayleigh was happy to call it a day. She said goodnight, planning to return to her office to grab her things and leave.
However, Hudson came with her, waiting as she gathered her stuff, then walking with her as she went down to the parking garage to her car. Kayleigh wasn’t going to complain about his presence, however, because she was starting to cherish each moment she had with him, knowing that their time together was likely running out.
“I hope you’re able to sleep well tonight,” Hudson said. “Now that this has been settled.”
Kayleigh hoped so too, but she had a feeling that her mind was going to go back over her relationship with Liz, trying to see if there had been hints of Liz’s feelings about her that she’d somehow missed.
“You too. Thanks for your support through everything today,” Kayleigh said. “Even when you didn’t necessarily agree with what I wanted to do.”
“You’re still the manager here, and while, yes, I would prefer to not have any of the troublemakers still working here, I respect your decision.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you going to be in the gym tomorrow morning?” Hudson asked as she opened the back door of her car and put her stuff on the seat.
“Oh, most definitely,” Kayleigh said.
“Then I’ll see you there.” Hudson gave her a smile that made her heart flutter. “Have a good night.”
“You too.”
As she drove home, Kayleigh felt the tension and stress of the day begin to seep away, taking the last of her energy with it. She was glad she didn’t have to cook dinner because she probably would have just gone to bed hungry.
Once home, she didn’t sit down since she was sure that she wouldn’t get back up again if she did. She was emptying out her gym bag in the bedroom when her phone rang.
“Hi, Mom,” she said when she saw who was calling.
“Hi, darling. How are you doing?”
“I’m pretty tired, but otherwise, I’m fine.”
“Wilder told us what happened today.”
“I’m so glad that everything worked out without it dragging on forever.”
“Yes, me too,” her mom agreed. “But I’m really sorry for Liz’s role in what happened.”
“Such is life,” Kayleigh said, not really wanting to delve into how hurt she’d been by the woman’s words and actions.
“Perhaps, but she shouldn’t have acted the way she did when you’ve only offered her friendship.”
“Except that I had something she wanted.” Perhaps more than one thing, since she’d also mentioned Kayleigh’s family. “And I guess she hoped that by undermining my job at the resort that she might have a chance at taking over as manager.”
