Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
“ I t was a fun time. It looks like we’ll be heading back there on Wednesday night to try to recreate what we saw last night.” Lauren updated Lisa over breakfast Tuesday morning. Lauren and Lisa were both eating a ham and cheese quiche, while Rhett sipped his usual black coffee and looked amused by the conversation.
“That’s so interesting. So it’s reality, but with a little help?” Lisa asked.
Lauren nodded. “Exactly. It’s not scripted by any means, but we’ll sometimes ask them to recreate moments or give suggestions on topics of discussion that will move the story forward.” She grinned. “We didn’t expect that the cast would want to join us on everyone’s day off, but it worked out well that they did. Even if we didn’t have the cameras with us.”
And Lauren was looking forward to going back to the Chicken Box. She’d enjoyed spending time with Hudson and was looking forward to dinner with him and his mother tonight, but was a little nervous about it, too. She told Lisa about the invitation.
“You like him?” Lisa looked thoughtful.
Lauren nodded. “I do. I’m definitely attracted to him, but I’m also happy to just be friends. That is probably smarter, considering we work together. Plus, I’ll be heading back to LA when filming ends and he’s staying here. So it doesn’t make sense to start something.”
Lisa nodded. “Love doesn’t always make sense, though. But you are wise to keep it professional—at least until filming ends. When does it end?”
“We have another month.”
“A lot can happen in a month. It’s interesting that his mother is joining you for dinner. That sends a bit of a mixed message to me. If he meant for it to be a romantic date, I don’t think he would do that.” Lisa took a sip of her coffee, then continued talking.
“But he likes you well enough to have you over, and he wants his mother to meet you. Maybe that’s to put you at ease, so you don’t worry that it’s a date, yet? Does he live with her?”
“No. They’re close, though. She’s a widow. He lives in a guesthouse on her property.”
“Oh, that’s nice for both of them. I was a widow, too. Until I turned this place into an inn and Rhett was my first guest.” She patted his hand, and he winked at her. They were very cute together. “I’m going to want a full report tomorrow about this dinner,” Lisa said.
Lauren laughed. “Of course,” she agreed.
So, even though Lauren agreed with Lisa’s thoughts on her non-date, she still felt nervous, especially about meeting Hudson’s mother. What if his mother didn’t like her? All Hudson had said was that they were close. She didn’t know anything else about his mother. It was a little intimidating.
And she didn’t want to show up empty-handed. She called Angela to update her and to ask for a suggestion of what to bring. First, she asked how she was feeling and was shocked when Angela filled her in about her fall and trip to the ER.
“Are you sure you’re okay? And the baby, too?”
“We’re both fine. Falls usually aren’t too much of a danger in the first trimester. I haven’t had any spotting since. I feel great, actually. But enough about me. What’s new with the show? How did your night out go?”
Lauren filled her in and finished her story by asking for suggestions on what to bring to dinner. Angela had a different take on the invitation than Lisa did.
“Don’t kid yourself. It’s definitely a date—disguised as a friendly dinner. He knows it would be inappropriate to ask you on a real date right now. I think it’s cute that you’ll meet his mother.”
“I don’t know if cute is the word I’d use. It’s a little nerve-wracking,” Lauren admitted.
“It will be fine. She will love you,” Angela assured her. “Now for what to bring. I’d go to Stop and Shop and get some cookies from their bakery. They’re not as good as mine, but they’re pretty good.”
“Okay, I’ll do that. And I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Angela laughed. “Good! I’ll want to hear all about it.”
Lauren stopped into Stop and Shop that afternoon and checked out the bakery offerings and Angela was right. They had a good assortment. She chose a bag of chocolate chip with sea salted caramel that looked delicious. Her cookie choice was fast, but it took her forever to decide on what to wear to dinner. She didn’t want to seem like she was putting in too much of an effort. She was tempted to wear the cute dress she’d gotten at Izzy’s shop, but decided to go a little more casual. She ended up wearing her favorite faded jeans that were so soft and flattering. She wore a sleeveless rosy pink linen top that flattered her skin tone and showed off the slight tan she’d acquired.
Lauren showered and blew her hair out so that it was shiny and stick straight and kept her makeup minimal, just a little concealer, mascara, and lip gloss. Hudson had texted her earlier to confirm the time and give his address. She grabbed the cookies and headed out. Like just about everywhere on Nantucket, it didn’t take long to get to his house. He’d mentioned that his mother’s place was on the ocean and that he lived in the adjacent guesthouse.
He didn’t tell her how stunning the house was or that it was on a huge lot for Nantucket. The main house was a sprawling white Cape Cod style, and there was a lush lawn out front. The guesthouse was a cute white cottage with gray shutters. It had two stories and a large deck. Hudson was on the deck, standing by a big grill. An older woman sat in a chair nearby. Hudson grinned and waved when he saw Lauren and gestured for her to pull into the driveway and park. She parked next to his work van and grabbed her purse, a sweater, and bag of cookies.
She walked up the steps and onto his deck. Hudson came over to greet her and pulled her in for a hug. She handed him the cookies.
“Oh, you didn’t have to bring anything.” He glanced at the bag before setting it on a table. “They do look good, though. Come meet my mother.”
Lauren followed him, and he introduced her to his mother. “Mom, meet Lauren, the lead producer on Nantucket Influence . Lauren, my mother, Jane Winters.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Winters,” Lauren said politely. Hudson’s mother looked to be around sixty. She had a chin length dark brown bob with soft bangs that highlighted her warm brown eyes. She was maybe five-three and petite. She was also wearing jeans and a white sweater with navy blue trim.
“Call me Jane. Have a seat. Hudson was about to get me a glass of pinot grigio. Would you like one?”
“Sure. Can I do anything to help?” Lauren offered.
Hudson smiled. “There’s nothing to do. Just sit and relax. I’ll be right back.”
Hudson disappeared inside. Lauren looked around. Hudson’s cottage was set back, but there was still a distant ocean view. The air was slightly cool, and she was glad she’d brought a lightweight sweater with her. She slipped it on.
“This is such a lovely location,” Lauren said.
Jane nodded. “Thank you. I’ve lived here for almost forty years now. My husband and I married young and his family had a summer place here. We bought it from them and made it into a year-round home.”
“It must be wonderful to live here year-round.” Lauren was not looking forward to returning to Los Angeles.
“I love it, but it’s very quiet in the winter.” Jane smiled. “Hudson says you live in LA. I bet that is much livelier. Do you like it there?”
Hudson returned with their glasses of wine and handed one to Lauren and to his mother.
“It depends on the day,” Lauren admitted. “I like the weather, but the traffic is brutal. It takes forever to go anywhere.”
“Lauren is from the East Coast, too,” Hudson said. He lifted the grill cover and she could see that there was fish as well as assorted vegetables. He flipped everything over and shut the cover again before joining them at the table.
His mother looked intrigued. “Where is your family from?”
“They’re on the Cape. I grew up in West Yarmouth.”
“How nice that you were able to come back this way for a show. How is it going?” his mother asked.
“It’s been great to be back. My parents are coming to visit this weekend. They’re going to come to the food festival with us. Well, I’ll be working, but I’ll be able to take the evening off to visit with them. Most of our shooting will be during the day.”
“Sounds fun. The food festival gets bigger every year. I’m going with a few friends, and there’s a wine dinner that evening at The Whitley Hotel. We’re looking forward to it.” His mother took a sip of her wine.
“Do you know Lisa Hodges? I’m staying at her bed-and-breakfast and she’s going to be at the festival, giving out samples of her lobster quiche and something else.”
“Is she? Yes, I know Lisa. Hudson and her son, Chase, played on the hockey team together. We’ll have to make sure we find Lisa’s booth and say hi. I haven’t had lobster quiche before.”
“It’s so good. She’s famous for it. Although she has a little competition this year.” Lauren told them about Lisa’s neighbor Violet and the battle of the lobster quiches. His mother laughed.
“That is too much. We’ll have to try them both then and see for ourselves.”
Lauren glanced at Hudson. “I didn’t realize you played hockey in high school. Is Chase on the men’s league now, too?” She remembered Hudson mentioning that he played in an adult men’s league.
“He is actually. It has been a good way to reconnect with some of the guys I knew back then.”
Hudson went back inside and returned a minute later carrying a stack of plates, silverware and a big serving bowl. He set it all down on the table and took the lid off the bowl.
“Mom made potato salad to have with dinner.” He stuck a big spoon in the bowl. “I think everything is just about ready. I’ll put it on a few plates and we can help ourselves.”
He piled all the grilled vegetables onto one plate and the fish onto another and set them in the middle of the round table where they were sitting. They all filled their plates. The fish was incredible. He’d basted it with butter and lemon juice and it was light and flaky. His mother’s potato salad was creamy and delicious.
They sat on the deck enjoying their dinner and the fresh air. The sun over the ocean was gorgeous—the sky was rosy pink. Lauren sipped her wine and enjoyed chatting with Hudson and his mother. She learned that Jane was a veterinarian and had a practice downtown that specialized in treating cats. Her husband had also been a veterinarian. They’d met in vet school and had worked together until his death a few years ago. He’d died from a complication with diabetes, which he’d had all his life.
“I don’t think mom is ever going to retire,” Hudson said as anoversized orange cat jumped onto the deck railing, cocked its head and watched them intently.
“What else would I do?” His mother laughed. “I like to keep busy.” She motioned toward the cat. “Come say hello, Oscar.”
The cat jumped down onto the deck and went over to Hudson’s mother and rubbed against her leg. She leaned over to pet him.
“How old is Oscar now?” Hudson asked.
His mother thought for a moment. “Fifteen, or maybe sixteen. He’s my little old man. He hasn’t slowed down too much, though.”
Lauren helped Hudson carry everything inside when they were done eating.
“Just set that on the counter, thanks.” He quickly put the leftover food in the refrigerator and the dirty dishes in the sink to deal with later. Lauren glanced around the room, and took in the cozy leather sofa and big screen TV and kitchen that was small but had everything he needed.
“Your place is great,” she said.
He looked happy to hear it. “Thanks. I have two bedrooms upstairs and it’s worked out well so far. I like being nearby if mom needs anything.”
Once he had everything put away, they headed back outside.
“Did you save any room for cookies?” Lauren asked.
Hudson grinned. “There’s always room for dessert.”
“I would have helped, but I’m catted,” his mother said. Lauren laughed when she saw what she meant. Oscar was curled up in his mother’s lap, purring.
“Lauren brought cookies.” Hudson opened the bag and passed it around. Lauren and his mother each took one, and Hudson took two.
After a little while, Oscar jumped off his mother’s lap, and she stood. “I should be getting back. Thanks for dinner, honey.” She turned to Lauren. “It was great meeting you. I hope to see you again.”
“Thank you. It was great to meet you, too.”
They watched his mother head off to her house and Lauren wondered if she should head home, too.
“Let’s have another drink. You’re not in a rush to get home, are you?” Hudson asked.
“No. I could have a little more wine.” She’d only had one glass so far and she wasn’t in a hurry to leave.
Hudson brought the wine bottle out and topped off her glass. He opened a new beer for himself and grabbed another cookie. She took one too. They sat in silence for a moment, just relaxing and enjoying the sound of the waves in the distance.
And then had a lively discussion about the different shows they’d both worked on. It turned out that they knew some of the same people and they both laughed about the things they’d seen happen on different reality shows.
“People often ask me if the shows are scripted. They find it hard to imagine sometimes when a show is really dramatic,” Lauren said.
“If they only knew. I’ve told people that sometimes we can’t show the craziest things that happen. Truth really is stranger than fiction.” Hudson shook his head. “I enjoyed it, but I have to admit I don’t miss doing it all the time.”
“Was it hard to make the transition out of reality?”
“Not really. It’s all about timing. Something opened up that wasn’t reality, and I jumped on it. And then that led to more things. And then Cami called.”
“I’ve only worked on reality shows so far. I might like to branch out too, at some point. Right now though, I’m just hoping this does well enough that they want a second season.” Lauren grinned. “And then I’ll get to come back next summer.”
“That would be awesome,” Hudson agreed.
It was almost nine by the time the sun fully set. The conversation with Hudson had been so easy and natural. At times, they were both rushing to talk, and she found that they liked many of the same things—some of the same bands and books. She felt like she’d known him longer and had the sense that he was someone that might be in her life for a long time, even if it was just as a friend. He didn’t give her any reason to think that he wanted to be more than that. It had crossed her mind more than once as they talked. When she noticed how laugh lines danced around his eyes and mouth when he smiled—she found that very attractive. But it was more the expression in his eyes as he held her gaze and seemed so interested in what she had to say. She got the sense that he definitely liked her as a person, even if it never turned romantic. She couldn’t help hoping that it would, though. Even while she knew it was unlikely and unwise, given that they worked together.
A gust of wind blew through her hair and almost knocked over her empty wine glass. “I should probably head home. Thanks again for dinner. This was fun.” She stood to go.
“It was.” Hudson stood and pulled her in for a quick goodbye hug. “See you tomorrow.”