Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Naomi
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted me as I stepped into the cozy little café that had become my sanctuary over the past few weeks. It was one of those places that felt like a hug—a mix of warm tones, soft lighting, and the quiet hum of conversation. A far cry from the chaos that had defined my life before coming back to Cedar Hill.
I slid into my usual corner booth and pulled out my laptop, opening the file I’d been tinkering with for days. Writing had always been my escape, but lately, my words felt flat, like they were missing the spark I used to pour into them. I blamed the move, the upheaval of starting over.
The sound of the door jingling barely registered until a deep, familiar voice cut through the haze of my thoughts.
“Well, if it isn’t Naomi Ray, queen of the corner booth.”
I looked up, and my breath hitched. Hudson King stood in the doorway, his towering frame making the cozy café feel a little smaller. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, and his leather jacket fit him like a second skin. He held a coffee cup in one hand, his grin teasing but warm.
“Hudson,” I said, my voice coming out steadier than I felt. “What are you doing here?”
“Getting coffee,” he said with a shrug, stepping closer. “What are you doing here?”
“Hiding,” I replied without thinking. The words were out before I could catch them.
He raised an eyebrow as he slid into the seat across from me, his presence both comforting and disarming. “Hiding from what?”
I waved him off, forcing a light laugh. “Just kidding. Working, actually.”
Hudson’s eyes dropped to the laptop, then back to me. “Still writing?”
“Trying to,” I admitted. “Not much luck lately.”
“You’ll get there,” he said, his voice softer now. “You’ve always been good at finding the right words.”
His confidence in me stirred something deep inside, a mixture of warmth and unease. Hudson had always had this way of making me feel seen, like he noticed the little things about me that others overlooked.
“So,” I said, leaning back and trying to ignore the flutter in my chest, “you’re haunting cafés now? That doesn’t seem very... you.”
He smirked, taking a sip of his coffee. “Maybe I’ve changed.”
“Doubt it,” I shot back, grinning. “Still riding that bike everywhere?”
“Everywhere I can,” he said. “Why? Want a ride?”
My cheeks flushed at the suggestion, though his tone was casual. “I think I’ll stick to four wheels, thanks.”
“Suit yourself,” he said, leaning back in the booth, his eyes never leaving mine. “So, you’re back in Cedar Hill. For good?”
“Looks like it,” I said, trying to keep my tone light. “Why? Planning a welcome parade?”
He chuckled, the sound warm and rich. “Not exactly. But it’s good to see you around.”
The weight of his words hung between us, and for a moment, I didn’t know what to say. Hudson and I had always been close—inseparable, really. But life had a way of pulling people apart, and our lives had taken different paths. Now, sitting across from him, I couldn’t help but feel like those paths were crossing again for a reason.
The silence stretched, not uncomfortable but charged with something unspoken. Hudson’s gaze held mine, and for a moment, I forgot where we were. I forgot everything except the way his presence filled the space around me, making me feel like nothing else mattered.
“Do you remember that summer?” he asked suddenly, his voice low.
“Which one?” I asked, though I already knew.
“The one where we built that treehouse by the creek,” he said, a smile tugging at his lips. “And you made me carry every single piece of wood up there because you said it was ‘character building.’”
I laughed, the memory rushing back. “You needed it. You were a little too confident back then.”
“And now?” he asked, his grin widening. “Still too confident?”
“Definitely,” I said, though my smile softened. “But maybe that’s not a bad thing.”
His eyes lingered on me, and the warmth in them made my pulse quicken. I wasn’t sure what was happening between us, but it felt... different. Familiar but new, like a song I hadn’t heard in years but still knew the words to.
The moment was broken by the buzz of my phone against the table. I glanced at the screen, expecting some harmless notification, but the message that stared back at me sent a chill down my spine.
Unknown Number: Be careful who you trust.
My stomach twisted as I read the words again, hoping I’d misunderstood. But there was no mistaking the intent behind them.
“Naomi?” Hudson’s voice pulled me back, his brow furrowed as he leaned forward. “What is it?”
I hesitated, my grip tightening on the phone. “Nothing,” I said quickly, locking the screen. “Just a spam text.”
Hudson didn’t look convinced, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. “Spam doesn’t usually make people go pale.”
I forced a smile, hoping it would be enough to deflect his concern. “I’m fine, really.”
He didn’t push, but the way he looked at me told me he wasn’t letting this go. I slid my phone into my bag, trying to focus on anything other than the icy knot forming in my chest.
But the message lingered, its words burning into my mind like a warning I couldn’t ignore.
Be careful who you trust.