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Since Oaklynn had requested it first, I complied. Except I had no idea what kind of wine people drank with salmon.
Thankfully, I only had to stand there blankly, staring at our selection for like five seconds before Hudson blew into the kitchen, changed into jeans and a T-shirt.
“Grab the Chardonnay,” he suggested, coming over to help without me even having to ask.
“We have Chardonnay?”
“Damn straight. I always keep some around. Here...” He slung an arm over my shoulder and reached past me with his free hand, snagging the desired bottle from the top shelf.
As he was pulling it down, however, he leaned close and whispered, “Dude, you are so fucked.”
I glanced over in confusion, and he sent me another sympathetic glance. “You two are already invested. At this point, it doesn't matterwhenyou tell her; she’s going to fucking leave your ass when she learns the truth.”
I swallowed thickly, and agony plopped heavily into my stomach.
“I say put off the whole reveal for as long as you can,” he suggested quietly before turning away with the bottle and lifting it in celebration. “Who wants a drink?” he called cheerfully as if he hadn’t just ruined my life.
As he paused to collect some wine glasses from another cupboard, the three already seated at the table cheered. And Hudson went about serving them while I found a spot next to Oaklynn to quietly slip down beside her.
When she glanced at me with a smile, I tugged her chair against mine until our thighs pressed against each other, and I wrapped an arm around her waist, deciding to cherish what doomed time we had left together.
Around us, the other three were chatting as if life was great.
“Hey, try the chocolate on your toast,” Hudson suggested. “It’ll blow your mind how well chocolate pairs with avocado.”
While Alec grimaced and covered his avocado toast with his hand to protect it, Keene spoke up with a full mouth. “You know what else pairs well with chocolate?” Waggling his brows, he answered himself. “Sex.”
Alec glanced at Oaklynn. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I honestly thought he was going to say strawberries.”
She laughed and leaned back against me. “I did too.” As I tethered her closer and kissed her hair, she rested the side of her head affectionately against mine.
“And now I want sex,” Keene whined. “That’s it.” He tossed down his fork, finished with his salmon. “Let’s go out and hunt us up some women. Archer…” He glanced my way, then frowned at how I was wrapped securely around Oaklynn. “Never mind. Younger, Ivey…” Nodding at both of them with an encouraging grin, he coaxed, “Come on… You know you want to go with me. We can wingman each other.”
“Can’t, sorry,” Hudson said, dusting toast crumbs off his hand and picking up a napkin to wipe his mouth.
“What do you mean, youcan’t?” Keene demanded irritably as Hudson picked up a glass of wine to take a sip. “You’re always game for a night of lady hunting.”
“Yeah, well…” Hudson shrugged apologetically as he swallowed and set his cup down. “I think I’m kind of dating someone now.”
“You’rewhat?” Oaklynn laughed as she lifted a hand. “Youthinkyou’re dating someone?” When she lowered her hand again, she rested it on my forearm which was wrapped around her waist as if my skin was where her fingers belonged. “How can you not know for certain?”
I had to agree with Hudson, though. I kind of thought I was dating someone, too, but I wasn’t sure howsheviewed the situation. Hoping I could get an answer to that question before the night was over, I tucked my face in toward the back of her neck and burrowed my nose through her silken, dark hair until I found her nape. There, I kissed her flesh lovingly.
As she tipped her head back against me, letting me know she enjoyed the attention, Keene asked, “And who the fuck are you maybe dating?” at the same time Alec wondered, “Since when?”
“Since Monday.” Hudson didn’t seem invested in the conversation at all as he drizzled chocolate over a piece of avocado toast. “And her name’s Genesis. I met her at work.”
“Ooh, cool name,” Oaklynn said as she reached out to accept the slice when Hudson passed it to her. “I like it.”
Hudson sent her a half-grateful smile, half-wince while Alec wondered aloud, “So why don’t you bring her around some time and introduce us?”
With a shrug, Hudson went about fixing himself toast with drizzle. “Because I don’t want to.”
“Wow,” I spoke up, offended. “Sorry, we’re such an embarrassment to you.”
“Trust me,” Hudson said, glancing my way as he licked dripped chocolate off his finger. “It’s not you.”
Alec leaned toward me and Oaklynn, whispering, “It’s totally Dugger.”
