ELOISE
After we’d parted ways when we got back to the bakery, I didn’t hear from Hudson until twenty-four hours later.
It was strange to me that I’d noticed his lack of communication.
As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I’d grown used to his texts or phone calls.
So much so that I spent the morning anticipating them so when my phone remained silent, I noticed.
Desperate to keep myself distracted, I filled my day with errands.
Nancy from Grace and Lace called to tell me that Josalyn’s dress was ready for pick up.
Once it was hanging in my backseat, I stopped by the florist to make sure that the flowers were on schedule to which she assured me everything would be ready for Saturday.
I stopped by the venue, but they were closed for lunch, so I headed back to the inn where I spent the rest of the afternoon, staring but not staring at my phone wondering where the heck Hudson was and why he hadn’t called me.
Any sane person would have picked up their phone and called Hudson themselves.
If not speaking to him was bothering me so much, I should just act.
But I wasn’t a sane person and this wasn’t just some benign relationship.
Letting Hudson back into my life after I swore to hate him forever would have unknown ramifications and I wasn’t sure I was ready to face them.
It was better when he was the one calling me. It protected me from having to make a definitive decision about Hudson and how I felt about him.
I blew out my breath as I sat at the small desk along the far wall. I stared at the three-ring binder that was propped up in the corner. Needing something to do, I pulled it over and started flipping through it.
Tucked inside every plastic sheet were brochures or menus for different attractions and restaurants on the island.
Memories of my time at each establishment with my grandparents every summer washed over me and made my heart ache.
I would give anything to go back in time when the people I loved were still alive and life was simpler.
Everything about my relationships with my dad, Hudson, and even Gaines had become so complicated and I no longer had a safe place to land. I felt like a lost boat trapped in the storm of life, unable to free myself from the crushing reality that I’d found myself in.
I shook my head. I was way overthinking all of this. I flipped the page with the diner’s menu and studied the next one. I frowned as I read the words, Gelato Grove. It took me a second to remember where I’d heard that name.
Isabelle. The pub. Karaoke. Hudson.
Right. Isabelle owned Gelato Grove. We’d bonded that night over bad singing and feeling like we were living a life we’d never signed up to live in the first place. Her invitation to join her for some Gelato bounced around in my head.
I glanced at my watch and then back to the brochure. It was four o’clock. It was apparent that Hudson had no intention of contacting me today. Going to hang out with Isabelle sounded infinitely better than hanging out in my room. I was certain that she was going to provide the distraction I needed.
And…an excuse to text Hudson.
Before I could stop myself, I picked up my phone, found my text message chain with Hudson, and opened it.
Headed to Gelato Grove. You owe me a banana split, but a few scoops of black cherry gelato would work too.
I sent off the text and then reread it a few times while waiting for a response. How was Hudson going to take it? Did it seem innocent enough? Was he going to see through the message and find that I’d spent the day wondering where he was?
Would he respond? I told him he owed me a banana split, but he’d never explicitly acknowledged that I’d won.
I closed my eyes and shook my head. I was an idiot. Why did I have to send that message? I’d fully knocked the ball into his court and I was stuck waiting for him to toss it back.
“This sucks,” I whispered as I held onto my message, fully intending on deleting it. But before I could do anything, Delivered turned to Read and Hudson’s response followed.
Be there in twenty.
I stared at his response, my heart hammering in my chest. This was happening. I was going to Gelato Grove and Hudson was going to meet me there. My quiet, mundane afternoon had flipped on its head and it was all because of me.
I closed my eyes. Was I ready to see him? Yesterday had been interesting to say the least. There were moments where it felt normal. It felt like old times. It felt like there was a possibility that I could forgive him and possibly open myself back up to being friends.
That thought scared me. What if he hurt me again? What if I regretted it? I was barely hanging on by a thread, and letting someone back into my life seemed like a mistake…so why was I excited underneath all the fear.
I massaged my temples.
I was thinking way too much about this. It was ice cream. That was all. It wasn’t forever. I was turning the door handle and peeking outside into the hallway. I wasn’t committing to anything.
And I could do that for now.
Feeling resolute in my decision, I flipped the binder closed and pushed the chair away from the desk.
I grabbed my phone and slipped it into the back pocket of my jeans before I retrieved my purse that I’d set on the bed.
With the strap now securely on my shoulder, I stepped out into the hallway before turning to lock my door.
I could hear voices coming from the lobby when I got to the top of the stairs. I’d heard Shelby talk enough to know that she was speaking. She was giving some instructions to a new guest, so I kept to the far wall so as not to interrupt their conversation.
Just as my foot landed on the lobby floor, I heard a gasp. Confused, I glanced up and my entire body froze. Standing in front of the check in desk was…
“Hannah?” I blinked a few times, but Hannah’s wide smile and long blonde hair greeted me.
“Eloise!” she exclaimed as she hurried over to me with her arms outstretched.
“Wha—what are you doing here?” I asked as I held her gaze.
Her eyes widened as she studied me. “I came to see you.”