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Here it comes. The ‘but’.
“But…”
I knew it. “It’s okay, Hudson. We can just be friends.” I try to beat him to the punch, hoping it will hurt less. I go to grab the doorknob, but his hand is faster, and he grabs my hand.
“But… I really don’t want today to end. And, I have to be at Hoopla’s tonight to cover the bar.” His thumb is stroking the back of my hand. “I have shift tomorrow, but can I see you Saturday? I’ll make us dinner at my place.”
Holy crap. He wants to see me again. My inner self is jumping for joy. “I’d like that, but I have plans Saturday afternoon.”
“I’m going fishing after shift, but will be done by early afternoon. How about six? I’ll text you my address.” I wrinkle my nose up when he says ‘fishing’. I like to eat them, but I don’t enjoy going and getting them. “What’s that face for?” He smirks.
“Stinky.” I wave my hand in front of my nose.
He laughs, “I promise to shower before you get there. Is it a date?” He emphasizes.
I nod and smile, “Yes, it’s a date.”
He suddenly looks like a kid on Christmas. “Perfect. Let me help you get this stuff in your SUV.” By help he meant that he’ll do it all. He wouldn’t even let me put the plants in my SUV.
Hudson walks me to the driver side door of my SUV, “I had a great time on our first date, Kate.”
We’re standing so close; I can smell his cologne. Musk. Manly.
“Me, too.” I smile shyly up to him. I don’t know what to do with my hands. I’m fidgeting with the door handle behind me.
Hudson reaches up to my cheek and strokes a finger down to my chin. “Can I kiss you? I really want to kiss you. I have since I brought you home that night from the bar.”
Our eyes lock, “You do? Did?”
He only nods.
“I’d like it if you kissed me.”
“Good.” He says as his lips caress mine. His lips are so soft at first, but then he deepens the kiss. My lips part a bit and he takes full advantage and his tongue caresses mine.
I could do this all day with him.
I drive all the way home on cloud nine. The kiss, or rather kisses, Hudson and I shared were magical. He’s tender and sweet. Not to mention a complete gentleman. Who knew those were still around?
As I pull into my driveway, I see Grace’s car, but not Grace. She must be on the back patio or inside. She’s the only other person with a key to my place.
I unload the groceries when I hear my name called. “Kate!”
Turning around, I see Grace along with my walking group. Grace is waving at me, turns and says something to Betty, and then runs over to me. “Let me help you.” She grabs a plant out of my hands. I’m glad she did. I was about to lose one of them in the driveway.
“Thanks.”
We bring the plants onto my patio and then I follow her inside with Wilbur’s treats, but he’s nowhere in sight. “Have you seen Wilbur?”
“Yes. We passed him by the lake when we were walking.” Grace drops to my couch. “Now, tell me about lunch. I’m dying over here.”
I smile big. “You were right. It was a date.”
“See! I told you. When are you going to listen to me? Tell me more. Everything. I want to hear everything. Start from the beginning.”
So, I tell Grace everything we did and talked about. “He was the perfect gentleman. Even asked if he could kiss me.”
“Tell me you said yes. I swear to heaven if you said no…”
