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Hudson’s memory filled her life in a way that made it impossible for her to escape. Honestly, though, she hadn’t tried too hard. The memories hurt, but at the same time, she didn’t want to forget the wonderful man Hudson was and how he’d made her feel.
Following her gym workout, she got ready for the day, then went to the boardroom for the Monday morning meeting. Kayleigh had just recently given the woman who had been the acting Guest Relations Manager the job permanently. In the months following Liz’s firing, she’d proven to be an asset to the management team.
Though the woman was friendly, Kayleigh had no interest in forging a friendship with her the way she had with Liz. She was definitely keeping her personal and professional lives separate these days.
It had been a tough lesson to learn, but thanks to Liz and Hudson, it wasn’t one she was going to soon forget.
The meeting went smoothly—as most of them had once they’d resolved the issues Liz had brought on—and soon Kayleigh was back in her office. She was reading through a report when she heard the rumble of a male voice in the outer office.
Not sure what about it had drawn her attention, Kayleigh paused, unexpected shivers of anticipation racing over her skin. She stared at the open doorway, wishing it faced Andrea’s desk.
However, she wasn’t sure that even that would have prepared her for the sight of Hudson as he stepped into her office. Her heart gave a painful thump in her chest, and she felt the inexplicable urge to burst into tears. It felt like an eternity since she’d last seen him.
Hudson paused in the doorway, much like he had on the first day they’d met. However, there were some significant differences. Instead of a suit, he was dressed casually in a pair of dark blue jeans, a white cotton button-up shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and in his hands, he held a large vase filled with red, white, and pink roses.
The most marked difference, however, was his expression.
That first day they’d met, he’d been focused and reserved as he’d greeted her. This time, his expression was open, and his smile was warm and… affectionate.
Kayleigh swallowed hard. She wasn’t strong enough to deal with him like this. She feared she wasn’t going to be strong enough to turn him away a second time.
Before she could stop herself, Kayleigh was up out of her seat and rounding her desk. She wanted to throw herself into his arms and hold on, never letting go.
At the last minute, she reached out to grab hold of the edge of her desk, bringing her momentum in his direction to a jarring halt. She gripped the wood so tightly it hurt her palm, but she needed that pain to keep her grounded.
Her legs trembled as she stood there, drinking in the sight of him.
Please, God, give me strength. Please help me desire to honor You, even though all I want is to be with Hudson.
“Do you have a minute?” he asked, a smile crinkling the corners of his eyes.
For him, she had a minute… an hour… a day… forever.
She swallowed hard. “Yes.”
His smile grew as he walked to where she stood at the corner of her desk, still keeping a grip on its edge. Holding out the vase of flowers, he said, “These are for you.”
Glancing up at him as she reached to take the vase, she saw a gentleness in Hudson’s gaze that sent warmth spiraling through her. Her fingers brushed his, and he was slow to release the vase into her grasp.
“They’re beautiful,” Kayleigh said. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He gave her another smile. “They reminded me of you.”
Kayleigh didn’t know what to say to that, so she bent her head and took a sniff of the flowers, appreciating their sweet floral scent.
Her confusion over Hudson’s presence there continued to grow, but she wasn’t sure she wanted clarification. Especially if it meant she’d have to reject him yet again.
“Can we sit and talk for a few minutes?” Hudson asked.
Kayleigh couldn’t have refused him if she’d wanted to, and she most definitely didn’t want to. “Uh… sure. Let’s sit at the table. Would you like some coffee?”
“That would be great.”
As Kayleigh made coffee for both of them at the coffee maker, her hands trembled slightly. She was almost afraid to pick the mugs up with the way her hands were shaking.
While she waited for the coffee to stream into the mugs, she kept her back to Hudson, praying like she hadn’t prayed in a long time that God would help her do what was right. Todesireto do what was right. She’d gotten over her anger at God when Hudson had left, but this felt like a test she was destined to fail.
Once the mugs were both filled with coffee, Kayleigh opened and closed her hands a couple of times before she picked them up. The silence as she’d made the coffee was heavy in a way it hadn’t been once she and Hudson had gotten comfortable with each other.
