Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
HUDSON
I waited until there were only a handful of people left at my going away party before I approached Kenna. She had her back to me as she listened carefully to Carol Ann’s plea to use the Square for the school’s annual bake sale without paying for a permit. Kenna listened as the other woman detailed what the money would be used for, and how beneficial it would be to have one hundred percent of the funds going toward it.
Acting mayor really did suit Kenna, despite her insistence otherwise. She truly cared about the people of this town and had their best interests at heart. Not only that, but she was a hell of a lot more approachable than her old man, and the residents had begun to notice.
I’d been wrong—she was needed here. She had a place in Havenbrook that no one could dispute. Shoes no one else could fill. And despite this not being what she’d set out to do with her life, it fit her and it fit her well.
Carol Ann got pulled away, and Kenna stayed rooted in place, turning her head slowly as if she were scanning the room. For me? I sure as hell hoped so. Otherwise, I was about to make a fool out of myself.
I stepped up behind her and leaned down to place my mouth mere inches from her ear. “Who’re you lookin’ for?”
She jumped, letting out a soft yelp, but didn’t turn to face me. “Holy shit, Hud. You lookin’ to add creeper to your resume?”
My lips quirked up on the side, and I stepped around until we stood face-to-face. Christ, she was so beautiful it hurt, the sight of her making my chest tight. Or maybe that was the thought of leaving her behind. Again.
CB wiggled in my arms, trying to get to Kenna, and she obliged, grabbing the squirming dog out of my hands.
“Someone’s excited to see me,” she said, burying her face in the dog’s fur.
“I’m tryin’ not to let it bruise my ego that you came to my farewell party but haven’t said a single word to me all night up until now. And the dog got a better greeting than I did. It’s because you’re intimidated by my devastating good looks, isn’t it?”
“Bruised ego, my ass,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. “A Mack truck couldn’t bruise that thing, so I’m pretty sure it ain’t gonna happen ’cause of little old me.”
That was where she was wrong. My ego—and every other part of me—had taken a battering that night at her place, not to mention every day since. Each time she didn’t take my calls. Each time she avoided me in town. Each time she didn’t text back.
But I must’ve been a glutton for punishment, because I was about to welcome that beating all over again. I wasn’t going to live the rest of my life wondering what might’ve happened if I’d tried.
“You don’t give yourself credit for much, do you? You affect me a whole lot more than you believe.”
She frowned, her brows drawn in, as if the thought hadn’t ever occurred to her. Had I really done such a horrible job at telling her how amazing she was? That she was everything I could possibly want in a friend, and more than I’d ever dreamed of in a partner?
And how hopelessly desperate I was for her to be mine.
I plucked CB from her and set the dog on the ground, clutching her leash before grabbing Kenna’s hand. I led us to a secluded corner, out of earshot of the few stragglers left, knowing she wouldn’t want an audience.
“I realize this isn’t the ideal place to do this, but I have a few things I need to say.”
“Can it wait? I have to?—”
“Kenna.” I squeezed her hand, infusing every ounce of urgency I felt into the touch. “No, it can’t. I’ve waited too long already.”
She stared at me for a charged moment before finally nodding.
“It just occurred to me that I’ve done a shit job at telling you how amazin’ you are.”
“Hud—”
“You’re beautiful and smart and committed and so fucking strong. You’re the most loyal person I’ve ever met. I love you like crazy for everything you are, but for everything you’re not, too. You’re not perfect. You’re headstrong and stubborn and competitive as hell.”
“You’re a fine one to talk.”
My lips quirked up on the side, encouraged that she hadn’t told me to shut up and stormed off in the middle of my declaration. “And you don’t put up with my shit. You give as good as you get, and I love how much you challenge me. I never could’ve hoped to find a better match even in all my trips around the world, because you’re here. You’re my perfect match, Kenna.”
She hadn’t moved—had barely even breathed as far as I could tell—but she was listening because her eyes shone in the dim light of the room.
I released her hand to cup her face, forcing myself not to lean down and kiss her one last time. Praying I’d get a million more chances after tonight. “This doesn’t have to be it for us. Be with me, Kenna. Please.”
She stared up at me, her eyes darting back and forth between mine. I could practically see the wheels turning in her mind—trying to figure out a way to make it work between us?—and her hesitation lifted my hopes like a hot air balloon. Made them soar in anticipation of her saying yes.
“I know it was you, you old witch!” someone yelled from across the room. “You left that dead squirrel under my bed. I found you creepin’ around my place the night before it happened.”
“Oh, please, you can’t find anything in the dark. Believe me, I know. We were married for forty years!”
Kenna cringed, darting her eyes toward the commotion across the room. Edna and Earl stood toe-to-toe, the remaining partygoers staring on with wide eyes.
“Dammit,” she hissed. “Edna’s gonna get herself arrested. Again.” She turned back to me, her eyes sad and confused and unsure as she darted her gaze down to CB and back to me. “I’m sorry, but I have to defuse that before someone calls the sheriff.”
I’d just thought how much she was needed in Havenbrook and how fantastic she was at acting mayor. I couldn’t very well stand in her way now, despite wanting nothing more than to grip her by the shoulders and demand she answer me.
With a resigned sigh, I nodded and dropped my arms to my sides, stepping back as Kenna strode toward the commotion. Hoping like hell she wasn’t striding right out of my life.