Eloise #2
I took a deep breath as Gaines backed out of the parking spot and took off toward Eden. When we pulled into Grace and Lace, I spotted Hudson’s familiar dark blue pickup truck. I stared at the left taillight.
“He never got that fixed?” I muttered under my breath as I studied the large dent that I’d put into it five years ago when he’d let me drive and I’d backed into a light pole.
“What?” Gaines asked from the driver’s seat.
I glanced at him before I shook my head. “Nothing.”
He flicked his gaze up to the rearview mirror. I could tell that he didn’t believe me, but he didn’t ask more. Instead, his focus grew intense as he studied me. “Remember, Lou, you’re Switzerland.”
He may not have heard what I said, but he knew that whatever my grievance was, it had to be about Hudson.
“I know,” I said as I raised my eyebrows.
He narrowed his eyes. “Really?”
I raised my hands in surrender. “I swear.”
He held my gaze for a moment longer before he nodded. “Good.”
We all opened our doors at the same time and climbed out.
Gaines and Josalyn held hands as they walked up to the front doors of the store, and I took up the rear.
Hudson was standing near the entrance when we walked in.
My gaze met his for a moment before I turned my focus to the mannequin wearing a sequin-covered wedding dress.
I heard Gaines and Josalyn greet Hudson, but I refused to let myself look up.
It wasn’t until we were sitting next to each other on the couch, while we waited for Josalyn to try on her dress, that I actually had to acknowledge him.
Gaines had no sympathy for me and collapsed on the right side of the couch, leaving the middle and left open for Hudson and me.
I waited for Hudson to pick his spot, but he seemed to have the same idea.
We stood there, awkwardly waiting for the other person to move first. I blew out my breath and sat down on the middle cushion. At least there I could engage Gaines in a conversation.
I’d assumed wrong. Instead of talking to me, Gaines decided to lean forward and talk to Hudson around me. I was stuck with my hands pinched between my thighs and my elbows tucked in close so as not to bump anyone. I’d never felt so unseen as I did in that moment.
Gaines and Hudson reminisced until Josalyn came out of the dressing room and stepped up onto the pedestal. We all grew quiet as we watched her turn from side to side.
“You look beautiful,” I said, and both men murmured their agreement. I took note of Gaines’s gravelly voice and glanced over to see that his eyes were brimming with tears. I shouldered him before offering a big smile. “You softy,” I whispered.
Gaines just shrugged before he cleared his throat.
I was grateful for the example of a good man that Gaines had always been for me. In a world full of Hudsons, Gaines was a shining light, proving that Mr. Darcy didn’t just live between the pages of a book. That decent men still existed in this world.
After a few alterations to Josalyn’s dress, Nancy, the shop owner, helped her off the pedestal, and she shuffled into the dressing room to change. We were standing near the door when Josalyn joined us. Then we headed outside together.
With Josalyn’s dress done, she and I followed Gaines and Hudson as they led the way to the suit shop next door.
They took less time than Josalyn as all they were doing was picking up their rentals.
Both Gaines and Hudson hooked their forefingers in their hangers and flung their garment bags over their shoulders.
I led the way out to the parking lot, where Gaines, Josalyn, and Hudson lingered by the rental place to plan the evening. Apparently, Hudson had some baking he needed to get done and was not going to join us at the flower shop.
I was so disappointed…
Gaines hadn’t unlocked the doors to the car, so I folded my arms and leaned against the back door with my gaze focused on the pavement at my feet.
“I know they have karaoke at Harmony Pub tonight. It’s something Jax is doing to draw in a new clientele,” Hudson said. “I’m not sure it’s working. So far, we’re just getting drunk locals who think they’re emerging pop stars.”
That image had the corners of my lips tipping up for a moment before I cursed myself and forced the muscles in my face to relax. Hudson was not funny, and I was not going to let him think that I thought he was. I hardened my gaze as I stared at the pavement.
“I think that sounds fun,” Josalyn offered. “I’m up for it.”
“Same,” Gaines replied.
They fell quiet for a moment.
“What do you think, Eloise?” Hudson flicked his gaze over at me.
I took some joy in the fact that he hadn’t really committed to conversing with me. He knew how I felt about him and was anticipating my reaction. Everyone else in his life might fawn at his feet, but not me. I was going to hold him accountable.
“Naw. Lou Lou doesn’t sing,” Gaines piped up.
Josalyn nodded in agreement. “You don’t want Eloise to sing,” she said with laughter in her voice.
I parted my lips. They were right. I was a terrible singer.
But there was no way I wanted Hudson to know that.
I glared at my brother and then turned my attention to Hudson, whose cocky smile caused anger to rise up inside of me.
I knew it was just a smile, but it ticked me off. It was like he was laughing at me.
“I’ll be there,” I said as I straightened.
Hudson’s eyebrows went up. “Really?” at the same time Gaines turned to me and said, “What?”
Gaines’s reaction didn’t bother me as much as Hudson’s did.
Gaines could think that I was a terrible singer who would never agree to a night of karaoke.
But Hudson? I didn’t want him thinking anything about me.
I didn’t want to surprise him or challenge him.
He didn’t know me, and his response to what I had said made it seem like he thought he did.
I glowered at both of them, but made sure it was more intense for Hudson. “I can sing.”
Gaines scoffed. “No, you can’t.”
I didn’t want to have this argument in the parking lot of The Gentleman’s Attire with my brother and his best friend holding their tuxedos. If I went out with them tonight, I had every intention of proving them both wrong. But that was only going to happen at the pub, not here.
“Well, I can drink,” I said, deciding to change the subject. “That’s why the owner…” I waved toward Hudson, and he offered, “Jax?” “That’s why Jax decided to start karaoke night.” I folded my arms, ready to move off the topic of my singing ability.
Gaines chuckled. “You can do that.”
“This will be interesting,” Josalyn said, and, for a moment, I felt betrayed that my future sister-in-law was taking the guys’ side instead of mine.
“Can we go now?” I asked as I rested my fingers on the door handle. I was ready for a few blissful hours without Hudson.
Gaines nodded toward Hudson. “We’ll see you tonight,” he said as he pulled the key fob from his pocket, and I heard the locks disengage.
I pulled on the door release and then slid into the car, shutting the door behind me. The goodbyes between Hudson, Gaines, and Josalyn were muffled, and I watched as they slowly started to separate.
Gaines and Josalyn joined me inside of the car. Hudson was the first to pull out of his parking spot. He waved as he drove by. Gaines was holding onto the steering wheel with his left hand and raised his fingers in acknowledgment. I watched Hudson’s truck drive away until it was no longer visible.
When I brought my attention back into the car, I realized that the other occupants were watching me. I raised my eyebrows as I pulled back slightly.
“What?” I asked as I flicked my gaze from Josalyn to my brother.
“You’re a singer now?” Gaines asked as he put the car into reverse and pulled out of the parking spot.
I folded my arms. “I can sing.”
He deadpanned as his gaze met mine through the rearview mirror. “Are we really going to go through that again?”
I sighed as I stared at the scenery that started to slide past outside the window as Gaines accelerated. “I can enjoy singing and drinking. At a bar, I doubt there’s much more required.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Gaines reach over and slip his fingers between Josalyn’s. He leaned in and pressed his lips to the outside of her hand, all the while keeping his gaze trained on the road. “You were right,” he said, his voice taking on a teasing tone. “Tonight will be interesting.”
I frowned as I glanced at him through the rearview mirror and then flicked my gaze over to stare at the back of Josalyn’s head. “What do you mean, interesting?” I asked, frustrated that my brother and his fiancée were talking about me like I wasn’t sitting behind them.
Gaines glanced back at me before he turned his attention back to the road. “Interesting,” he said, like that was explanation enough.