Chapter 29 Eloise
ELOISE
“Lou Lou? You ready?” Gaines suddenly appeared in the doorway of my bedroom. His smile was wide as his gaze met mine.
I blew out my breath, causing the red ringlet that had fallen from my messy bun to float up into the air before it landed back down to tickle my nose.
I would have tucked it back behind my ear if it weren’t for the stacks of clothing I was currently holding in each arm as I made my way to the open suitcase on my bed.
“Almost,” I said, feigning excitement as I forced a smile.
Normally, sisters were excited for their brothers when they were about to be married.
I should be overjoyed to pack my bags and head to Harmony Island, where my brother was going to walk down the aisle and marry the love of his life—who had asked me to be her maid of honor. But I was struggling to find the joy.
Not when Hudson Maxwell was to be my brother’s best man.
Hudson was a man-whore who’d slept with half my sorority back in college and even managed to knock up my best friend, Hannah. The icing on the cake was that he refused to acknowledge Benjamin and sent the bare minimum each month, which barely covered the bills.
I never understood what Gaines saw in Hudson.
They were complete opposites. While Gaines was well-dressed, well-spoken, and a gentleman.
Hudson was tattooed, rough around the edges, and a deadbeat.
The fact that the two of them were friends defied logic.
They were like water and oil—they shouldn’t be able to mix.
Apparently, they could, and the result was a friendship that even scientists couldn’t explain.
Gaines groaned as he flopped down on my bed, jostling the suitcase. I glowered at him as I quickly grabbed the suitcase before it slid off my bed and, in the process, dropped half of the clothes I’d been holding onto the floor.
“Stah-op,” I said in my best knock it off voice.
He jutted out his bottom lip. “Josalyn left Philly already. I don’t want her to beat us to Harmony. I need to be there to greet her.” His voice had turned whiney.
I eyed him as I bent down and retrieved the clothes. “She’s waited this long for you. What’s a few more days?” I asked as I adjusted my glasses and then moved to dump the now unfolded clothes into my suitcase.
“You don’t understand, Lou. I need to be there. I need to see her.”
I sighed as I studied my mound of clothes, fighting the urge to refold them.
I knew what Gaines was getting at with his desperate pleas.
I thrived on details and perfection while his motto was go with the flow.
He knew I wasn’t going to be ready until everything was color-coordinated and packed in organized rows.
With how much his disruption had set me back, he had to know I wasn’t going to be ready anytime soon.
He batted his eyelashes as he stuck his fingers under the lid of my suitcase and flicked it up a few times like he was trying to flip it shut. His gaze didn’t leave my face as he stared at me.
Finally, I sighed as I grabbed the lid and closed my suitcase. “Fine,” I said and pulled the zipper. “We can just go.”
He cheered and jumped off the bed. He pumped his fists in the air as he left my room.
Now alone, I sighed.
I didn’t like the idea of speeding up my inevitable interaction with Hudson. The longer I put off getting to Harmony, the better it would be for everyone involved. But, if Gaines wanted to leave early, I’d appease him. After all, this was his wedding weekend.
I could play nice for a few days.
As long as Hudson stayed away from me and did what he was supposed to, I’d be the model maid of honor. But if he did anything to ruin my brother’s wedding, all bets were off.
He’d learn exactly what happened when he crossed a Hamilton. He might have been able to relinquish responsibility when it came to Hannah, but not me.
I’d hold his feet to the fire for every centimeter he stepped out of line.
Hudson Maxwell had no idea what was coming for him.
***
I can’t believe book 8 here!
Sabrina is so strong and doing amazing after fighting through Postpartum Depression. I’m so happy that she and Liam have found one another.
I can’t wait for you to read Emery’s story as she allows herself to find love again after losing Carson. Noah’s quiet and reassuring presence and willingness to help Emery is endearing. I can’t wait for you to watch their relationship blossom.