Eloise #2
“It’s my brother’s wedding,” I whispered, my voice low enough to not draw Gaines’s attention. They were standing in front of the glass cases by the register, oohing and aahing over the pastries lined up in rows.
Hudson studied me for a moment before he nodded. “Of course,” he mumbled. “I just meant that—”
“Look, whatever happened in the past can stay there. Once this wedding is arranged and Gaines is married, we don’t ever have to speak again.” I gave him a wide smile. “We’ll finally get what we want.”
Hudson held my gaze for a moment and nodded sharply. “Right,” he said before he glanced at my brother and Josalyn. I was surprised at the small twinge of regret that rose up in my chest. I wasn’t normally a snippy person. It took a lot to rile me up enough to act.
Hudson Maxwell had crossed that line. He’d betrayed the people close to me, and I had no sympathy for him. If he didn’t like it… Well, in a week it wasn’t going to matter what he liked. I had every intention of kicking him out of my life for good.
“These look amazing!” Josalyn’s voice broke through my thoughts.
We both turned in her direction at the same time. She had straightened and was pointing to the cinnamon rolls behind the glass.
Hudson stepped around me and was by her side in a few long strides. “Thanks. They are award-winning,” he said, his smile beaming as he glanced down at her.
I glared at him even though I knew he wasn’t paying attention.
A sour taste rose up in my mouth at the thought of him living his peaceful life here on Harmony Island, winning baking contests, while Hannah was struggling as a single mom.
How could he act so cool and collected with us while refusing to take care of his child?
I sighed loudly. That got Hudson’s attention. He turned ever so slightly in my direction, but he never looked my way.
Coward.
I hovered in the back while Gaines, Josalyn, and Hudson talked about all the baked goods in front of them. When it became evident that they weren’t going to stop anytime soon, I found an open piece of wall to lean against amongst the framed photos of people visiting Harmony Island over the years.
I seemed to be the only person in our party who wanted to get a move on. Everyone else seemed content to just stand around and gawk at baked goods covered in sugar.
“Let me get you some, then,” Hudson said after Josalyn gushed over the cherry turnovers. He made his way behind the glass case and slid the back open. The sound of paper being pulled from a box filled the air before Hudson reached in and lifted one of the turnovers off the tray.
“A cinnamon roll for you?” he asked, nodding toward Gaines.
“Absolutely,” Gaines said as he clapped his hands and then rubbed his palms together.
“Lemon bar with a shortbread crust?”
My ears perked up at my favorite dessert. Out of instinct, I turned to face him. I must have looked startled, because a small, satisfied smile emerged on Hudson’s lips as he met my gaze.
He remembered?
“I, uh…” I wasn’t sure what to say. My brain was shouting at me to tell him, hell no. But my stomach—the part of my body that was currently winning out—was shouting, hell yes. I must have looked like a floundering fish, standing there with my lips parted as I inwardly warred with myself.
Gaines turned to stare at me. His expectant gaze caused my mind to shout at my mouth to speak. When I didn’t respond, he sighed and turned back around. “Yes, she wants one.” Then he glared at me from over his shoulder like an exasperated parent scolding their obnoxious child.
I wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but, secretly, I was glad that Gaines accepted it for me. Taking anything from Hudson Maxwell went against my resolve to hate him for eternity, but the thought of the flaky crust contrasted with the tangy lemon filling had my mouth watering.
With our goodies safely in individual white bags, Hudson handed them over. Then he and Gaines engaged in a round of Gaines wanting to pay and Hudson refusing his card. They finally settled on Gaines buying Hudson a few drinks down at the pub as payment.
I shifted my weight, anxious to get out of the bakery.
I was ready to get to the Harmony Island Inn and relax for the night.
Tomorrow, we had wedding plans to solidify before Josalyn and Gaines headed back to Chicago.
I was determined to get as much accomplished while they were here as possible, thus limiting my solo interactions with Hudson once they were gone.
After a few more minutes, I piped up that I was tired.
Thankfully, Josalyn agreed, even as Gaines moved to reject my update.
We were two against one, so Gaines bid farewell to Hudson, who moved around the counter so they could do a bro hug.
Then Hudson wrapped his arm around Josalyn’s shoulder and gave her a squeeze.
I made sure to stand next to Gaines so I was inaccessible for a hug should Hudson attempt one. Everyone but me lingered, saying their goodbyes for the second time. I took it upon myself to lead the charge through the front door and onto the porch.
I didn’t wait for my brother and Josalyn to join me. I bounded down the stairs and over to the car, where I waited with my hand on the door handle. As soon as Gaines unlocked the door, I was going to hop inside.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Hudson called after Gaines and Josalyn, who were walking side by side down the stairs.
“Yes, sir,” Gaines called over his shoulder as Josalyn simultaneously called out a good night.
I gritted my teeth as I stared straight ahead, praying he didn’t say anything to me.
“Have a good night, Lou.”
Of course, my praying amounted to nothing.
Switzerland, Switzerland, I chanted in my head. I needed to get a grip on my frustration if I was going to survive the next week. I could tell him good night. I was capable of that simple, benign farewell.
I could feel Gaines’s gaze on me, so I let out my breath slowly and glanced at Hudson from over my shoulder. “Good night,” I managed out.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes at the triumphant smile that emerged on his lips.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to school my reaction long.
As soon as the door lock disengaged, I tugged on the handle and collapsed on the seat.
With the door now shut behind me—probably a bit too aggressively—I buckled my seatbelt as Gaines started the car.
He paused before he looked over at me with his eyebrows raised. “You sure you’re going to be okay?” he asked, doubt coating every word.
I clenched my teeth and forced a smile. This week was about Gaines and Josalyn. They were my focus. “Of course,” I lied. I was nodding a bit too enthusiastically, so I slowed it to a normal pace. “I’ve got this.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You sure?”
I raised my left hand and held out my right like I was setting it on a Bible. “I swear. I can handle anything Hudson Maxwell throws my way.”