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6
Lex
After talking to Ellie and Jody, Hope’s cousin, we agreed to stay at the Astoria. Their spa is top-notch, and pride aside, I know it would be Hope’s first choice. I grab my phone, ready to text message Hudson. Running into him last night, seeing him around town, has brought about a swirl of sensations. I feel like that young girl who fell hard and fast for the football quarterback. Along with that comes the pain of knowing I wasn’t considered good enough and the fear of being thrown to the side if Hudson realized it.
Regardless, we ended painfully.
With a deep breath, I pull my phone out and send him a message.
Lex: Hey, spoke to the girls. We agreed on the Astoria.
I stretch and make coffee before I go over my choreography for my teen class this afternoon. They’ll be performing at our town’s Thanksgiving festival, and it has to be perfect by then. Showcasing what my students have learned is my favorite part of teaching. Seeing their evolution and later witnessing the town’s joy and pride in watching them always makes me feel fulfilled.
After showering, I check my phone to see if Hudson’s written back. Seeing his name on my screen makes my heart skip a beat. I shouldn’t react this way.
Hudson: Awesome, you won’t regret it. Already told my friend, and he’s got the suites saved for us
Lex: Thanks
Hudson: When should we meet again to discuss the rest of the trip now that we know where we’re staying?
Lex: Is it necessary? I think we can plan and just text. Don’t you have to head back home?
I don’t know why I ask. I don’t like the way disappointment seeps in knowing he’ll be leaving.
Hudson: I’m in town for a bit longer. It’ll make planning easier. Don’t worry, I don’t bite
Lex: *eye-roll emoji*
I get dressed and throw my hair in a bun before leaving my house. I have some things to work on at the studio before opening, and it will distract me from the man who reappeared in my life—and is apparently set on actually seeing me.
Needing a break, I walk to the diner near the studio for lunch. I love dancing and teaching; I don’t love crunching numbers and working on the business side of it. It’s a necessary evil, though. I can grasp creativity and spin it into a dance routine. Math doesn’t come as easily.
Looking down at my phone, I reach for the door and come up empty. I lift my gaze and trip over the lip at the entrance at the same time.
“Whoa.” Arms wrap around me and keep me upright.
“Are you okay?” Hudson stares at me, his face inches from mine.
“Yeah,” I breathe out.
“You sure? You’ve got a good grip on my arm,” he chuckles.
I look at my nails that are digging into him and release my hold. “Sorry,” I mumble, standing on my own. I just became a rom-com cliche by literally running into Hudson.
“No worries.” His arm remains around my waist, a smile on his handsome face.
I swallow thickly and step back, forcing him to release me.
“Thanks,” I nod and look around the diner. People stare, and heat flushes my cheeks. I’m not sure what’s worse, falling on my butt or having people witness my ex-boyfriend coming to my rescue.
“Are you having lunch here?” Hudson asks, keeping his eyes on me.
“Yeah.”
“Why don’t we share a table? Like that, we can talk about the trip?”
I wrack my brain for an excuse. Would telling him I haven’t showered in days and stink be an excuse to sit at separate tables? Far, far away. Not likely, seeing as he helped me up when I tripped and had his arm around my waist. Snug and comforting. I shouldn’t think about that. When I remain silent for too long, he pushes.
