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Kate’s been pretty quiet since I told her I want her to move in with me. I know I told her not to answer me, but I wish I knew what was going through that pretty head of hers. Does she hate the idea or is she excited? Maybe she’s freaking out inside.
I don’t know what I was thinking when I told her I loved her and then asked her to move in with me. Hudson, you’re such an asshole. The girl’s been through hell and back in the last twenty-four hours, and here I am being selfish and am worried about what I want. Fucking idiot.
“Here we are. You can still back out if you don’t want to do this.” I say as we pull into Mom’s driveway and put the truck in park.
“Stop it. I want to meet your mom.”
“Bark!”
“Besides, Pepper seems to be happy to be here, so your mom can’t be all that bad, right?” Kate laughs as she climbs out of the truck. “Come on, Pepper.” My dog follows Kate out of the truck. I think I’m being replaced.
“Hi there. I’m Lori Taylor. Hudson’s mom.” My mother says as she approaches Kate.
“Hi. I’m Kate Benson. Hudson’s… um.” She turns back to look at me for help.
“My girlfriend.” I answer confidently. Down the rabbit hole, we go.
Kate smiles at my mom, “Girlfriend. I’m Hudson’s girlfriend.”
Kate sticks out her hand to shake hands and my mother shakes her head. “Oh, no you don’t. If Hudson likes you, then I like you, which means hugs. You okay with me hugging you?” Mom asks, but doesn’t wait for Kate to answer and pulls her into a warm embrace.
Mom hugs are the best.
Laughing, Kate says, “No. I’m okay with hugs.”
“Well, come on in and welcome to my home, Kate.” Mom takes Kate by the hand as we all follow Pepper into the house.
“I’ve got bottles of water and I also have lemonade out. Which would you like, Kate?” Mom points to the platter of drinks on the coffee table in the living room, waiting for our arrival.
“Lemonade, please.”
I grab a bottle of water and sit in the chair. Mom has pulled Kate down next to her on the couch and there’s no room for me there.
“Here you go, dear.”
“Thank you. You have a nice place here.” Kate compliments my mother’s home that hasn’t been redecorated in over thirty years.
Mom waves off Kate. “Oh, you’re sweet, but I know it needs some updating. I’m thinking of hiring someone to come in and give it some love.”
What? That’s news to me. Since when?
“So, tell me, Kate. How are you? I’ve heard about what happened at your restaurant. It’s called a restaurant, right? I never know these things.”
Kate smiles, “Yes, technically it is a restaurant, but I call it my shop.”
“Okay. Your shop. How are you doing?”
She nods, “I’m okay. I think the shock still hasn’t set in yet. Hudson has been keeping me busy, trying to keep my mind off of things. But I’m sure once the shock wears off, I’ll be okay. Usually on days like today, I would have been at work, so I don’t know what to do with myself. This has been my first day off since…” Kate pauses and looks at me. We both realize that the last day off she had was on the anniversary of her parents’ death. “Well, anyway. I don’t get too many of them and I have an unlimited supply right now. It’s a strange feeling.”
Mom places her hand on Kate’s knee. “I’m so sorry for all of this. No one should have to go through all that you’ve been through. Hudson told me about your parents, too. I hope I’m not overstepping or out of line in telling you that you’re a strong and powerful woman, Kate.”
The genuine smile on Kate’s face tells me she’s touched by what my mother says. “Thank you, Mrs. Taylor.”
“Stop it with that. You can call me Lori.”
“Okay. Thank you, Lori.”
“BARK! BARK! BARK!” Pepper is jumping around the back sliding glass door.
