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Hell, I never had Renee move in even after three years of dating. I’ve only known Kate for a few weeks. Don’t two people have to be in love before moving in together? Do I love Kate? This feels so different than it did with anyone I’ve ever been with. Is it love?
Yeah, I think it may be. I think I love Kate. Shit. She’d freak if she knew this right now. She’s not ready for me to tell her that. So, if she’s not ready to hear the words, I’ll show her how I feel until she is ready.
CHAPTER 25
KATE
Hudson took us to lunch at Jack’s Place like he did the first time he slept over. Although, this time when he slept over was much more enjoyable than the last time.
At lunch, we talked about everything except my shop. I told him my dream trip would be to spend an entire week at Disney World doing everything they had available to do. He told me his dream trip would be a cruise around the world. That sounds nice, too, but he wouldn’t let me change my answer.
I told him about my octogenarian walking club and all about the ladies, including Gladys, and what they are like and how they all helped my grandmother raise me after my parents’ death.
He told me about his favorite calls at work, mostly about putting out fires, but he has a favorite call where he delivered a baby. A girl.
Of course, his least favorite calls are ones where someone dies, but especially when someone dies because of a drunk driver. He’s pretty passionate about not drinking and driving. I wonder if there’s a story there or not. I didn’t ask because the waitress came with the check and interrupted our conversation. Plus, he didn’t seem like he wanted to talk all that much about the bad stuff, and I appreciated his hesitation. I’m in no mood to talk about bad stuff right now.
As we walk into his beautiful Craftsman style home, my cell phone rings. It’s Grace. Finally. I texted her a few hours ago.
“Hey.” I answer.
“Hey. How are you doing? You okay?” The worry in her voice is clear.
“Yeah, I’m okay. Hudson and I slept for a few hours this morning and we just finished either a late lunch or an early dinner. I haven’t figured out which.” I smirk at Hudson, who is pointing to the bedroom and mouthing that he’s going to take a shower. I nod at him and watch him walk away. He has a fine ass.
“You sound better than I expected you to.”
“I slept with him.” I whisper into the phone, but I do not know why.
“Yes, I know. You just told me.” Grace sounds uninterested.
“No, Grace. I slept with him.” I emphasize the word slept.
“Get out of town! You did not! Don’t lie to me!” she screams into the phone, and I have to pull it away from my ear to save my hearing.
I laugh, “I did. I’m not lying.”
“Oh, my god. Oh, my god.” She says more to herself. “So, how do you feel about it?”
“Well, I’m here at his house with a packed bag, if that tells you anything.”
“It does. It does. Good. Good.” She’s repeating herself. I think her mind is about to blow. “So, what brought this all on, Kate?”
I’ve been thinking about this myself and I realized a few things last night and this morning. “Well, I realized that I’m not getting any younger and that bad things are going to happen no matter what. So, what the hell am I waiting for, right?”
“Um, okay.” Her hesitation is clear.
“No, really. Hear me out here because I’ve been thinking. The fire happened, then Grandma died, and then the nightmare with Adam, and now this. I’m a good girl that’s almost thirty years old. I pay my taxes, run a clean business, take care of my neighbors, and still things like last night still happen. What if I was in the shop when the bad guy or guys came in? They could have hurt me. Or worse. And what do I have to show for it? My fear. My fear of what? I do not know, but I’m tired of waiting around.” I take a deep breath because this part is going to hurt. “You were right, Grace.”
“Wait. Say that again. I need to record this.” She laughs.
“No, I’m serious. You have been right all along. I need to get myself out there. Not everyone is out to hurt me.” I laugh sardonically. “At least I hope not. I mean, Hudson doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would.”
“Exactly what I have been saying for years, Kate. You deserve to be happy. I’m so proud of you!” She yells again. “Okay, you have to tell me… was he good?”
“Grace!”
“Oh, no you don’t. You haven’t had sex in years. YEARS! You’ve got to spill something, girlfriend.”
