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“I cannot believe that was an explosion. How did it happen? Do they know?”
He steals a fry. “Not yet. Well… at least they’re not telling me. I called Jax to see if he knows anything and all he would tell me is that things are in motion and to expect a detective to come by to talk to you in the morning.”
“That’s it? Nothing on my house, either?”
“No. I’m sorry, baby.”
Once the hunger is satisfied, I look at the phone he handed me. “You bought me a phone?”
“Yeah. Yours was broken, and I needed to make sure I could call you or you could call me. I talked to Stu at the store, and he said that since he knew you and had heard what happened, he ported your number over to this phone for you already.”
I’m playing with the buttons on the new phone. “Yeah. Stu likes the poppyseed bagel and chocolate croissants.” I say more to myself than to Hudson, then look up at him. “Thank you for the phone.”
Who is this man? How did I find someone so amazing? Adam would have left me here by myself. Maybe he would have sent flowers or something, but it would never have occurred to him to replace my broken phone. And he certainly would never have stayed with me all day long.
“Hey. What’s with the tears?” Hudson asks as he climbs into my bed and pulls me into his arms, carefully avoiding my bandaged shoulder.
I wipe my tears from my cheeks. “How did I get here? With you, I mean. How did I get so lucky to be with you?”
Hudson kisses my hair and whispers, “I feel the same way about you, baby.”
After a while of just holding each other, my curiosity finally gets the better of me and I have to ask. “So, is that offer to move in with you still on the table? I don’t have much stuff, so I’ll be out of the way, and I’ll take one of your spare bedrooms. I’ll even pay rent and utilities.”
He doesn’t answer me, and I wonder if the offer really wasn’t on the table. I thought I was kidding around, but maybe he’s reconsidered. Before I can look to see his face, he’s climbing out of my bed.
“Kate…” he pauses and then kneels down by the side of the bed, “… will you marry me?”
“What? Are you serious right now?” He can’t be serious.
“Yes. I’m dead serious, Kate Benson. I want to marry you. The sooner the better.” He has the most serious look on his face, but it pales to the look on my face, I’m sure, when he pulls out a ring. “Will you marry me?”
I shake my head. “You have a ring. Where did you get a ring? Hudson, we’ve only just started dating. My life is in shambles, and we barely know each other.”
He stands up and then sits on the side of my bed. “So, that’s no?”
“Yeah. That’s a no…for now. I love you. I do. And this thing between us… it’s so strong. Stronger than anything I’ve ever felt before.”
He nods, “It is. I feel it, too. It’s why I want to marry you.”
I take his hand. “I know in my heart that you’re the one for me. I want to marry you, but I’m just not ready yet. We’re not ready yet.” I laugh sardonically, “Hell, I’m still in the hospital from an explosion and my house is gone.”
“I had a feeling you’d tell me no, but I had to try.” He gives me a small smile.
“Can I move in with you?” I ask.
“You’re already moved in.” He has an evil grin. Like a cat that’s eaten the canary.
“How am I already moved in when I have nothing to move?”
“Like I said… I’ve been busy today. I’ve been shopping.” He gives me a quick peck on my lips as Grace walks into my room.
“Hello there, sleepyhead. Feeling better?” She asks.
“My question precisely.” Reid follows her in. “I hear nothing but good things from the wardens at the nurses’ station.” He laughs at his own joke.
I watch Hudson slip the ring back into his pocket quickly before anyone sees it. “I’m feeling pretty good, actually. Amazing what a bit of sleep and some oxygen will do for a gal.” I laugh.
“Right on, ma’am. Sit forward so I can listen to your lungs.”
