The Invitation

“This I could certainly get used to…” I’d woken up to find Hudson standing at my stove, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and a backward baseball cap. His sculpted back was so muscular and tan. I wrapped my arms around his stomach and squeezed him from behind, placing a kiss on his shoulder.

“I just got back from a run and haven’t showered yet. You’re probably kissing dried sweat.”

“Pretty sure my skin isn’t much different after last night.”

Hudson turned and wrapped his arms around my waist. The dirty smile on his face told me he was recalling just how sweaty we’d gotten.

He smirked. “You broke the bed.”

I pulled back. “I didn’t break the bed; you did.”

“Pretty sure you were the one on top of me when the frame gave way.”

“Maybe, but you weren’t just lying there. You top from the bottom, you know.”

Hudson chuckled. “What the hell does that mean?”

“You might appear to let me take control, but you never really give it up.”

His face changed, and he looked a little concerned. “And you don’t like that?”

I grinned. “No, I like it a lot. But that means you contributed to breaking the bed.”

Hudson smiled and swatted my ass. “Go sit. Pancakes are almost done.”

“Okay.”

The week since we’d gotten home from California had been absolute bliss. Hudson and I were inseparable. We worked late every night getting things for Signature Scent ready, and we alternated between sleeping at his house in Brooklyn and my apartment here in the City. I probably should’ve been concerned that we were spending too much time together, but I was too happy to let anything spoil it.

Hudson set a plate in front of me.

I laughed. “This is adorable.”

He’d made one big pancake and decorated it into a smiling sun with halved strawberries forming pointed sunrays and bananas and strawberries creating a face.

“That’s how Charlie likes it. But don’t be too impressed. It’s the only dish I make other than macaroni and cheese. I don’t want you to get your expectations up.”

“Okay, I won’t.”

Hudson could’ve sucked at most everything else and I’d still be swooning over him based on how thoughtful he was—and how incredible in bed. To say I was falling for this man would be an understatement. A few times this week, I’d caught myself sitting at my desk randomly smiling. I hadn’t even been thinking about anything in particular. I just felt…happy.

“In case that doesn’t fill you enough…” Hudson set a banana next to my plate.

I was just about to say I’d never eat pancakes and a banana when I saw the ink on the yellow skin: I’m bananas about you.

When I looked up, Hudson winked and went back to the stove as if he hadn’t just turned my insides into a pile of mush.

He looked back over his shoulder, pointing to my plate with a spatula. “Eat. Don’t wait for me. It’ll get cold.”

Just as I put the first bite into my mouth, my front door swung open.

“Honey, I’m home!”

Shit. Fisher. I’d been single ever since he moved into the apartment next to me.

Hudson turned around, and Fisher caught sight of him and froze. “Crap. Sorry, man.”

“It’s fine. Come on in.”

Fisher looked over at me and I nodded, so he walked into the kitchen.

Hudson extended his hand. “Hudson Rothschild. I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced.”

Fisher shook. “I guess the wedding doesn’t count. Fisher Underwood.”

Hudson pointed to the table with the spatula. “Have a seat. Stella already filled me in that feeding you is part of the package deal I get with her.”

Fisher smiled. He swiped a handful of blueberries from the open container next to the stove and popped a few in his mouth. “You have my blessing to marry him.”

Hudson and I both laughed.

He made Fisher a plate of pancakes with a side of fruit, but not the fancy smiling sun he’d made me. Surprisingly, breakfast wasn’t awkward once the three of us were at the table.

Fisher shoved almost a half a pancake into his mouth. “So, what are you guys up to this weekend?”

“Hudson has his daughter. I have a few errands to run, but other than that, I’m open. You going to be around?”

“I was thinking about hitting the flea market,” Fisher said. “It’s my paralegal’s birthday next week, and she loved the handmade ceramic mugs you picked out for her last year, so I figured I’d go back and see what else they have.”

“Oh, awesome. Maybe I’ll come.”

Hudson’s forehead creased. “I thought we were taking Charlie to the park. You said something about an ancient playground.”

I thought back to the conversation we’d had earlier. “You said you were thinking of taking Charlie to Central Park, and I asked if you’d ever taken her to the Ancient Playground. I didn’t realize you wanted me to come, too.”

“I guess I just assumed you would…”

“Alright, well, I’d love to spend time with you and Charlie—if you don’t think it’s too soon.”

Hudson shook his head. “I don’t think she’s ready to see you in my bed yet, but she needs to start spending time with us to lead up to that, right?”

Wow. It gave me a fuzzy feeling in my belly to know I wasn’t alone in seeing a future for us. Reaching over, I squeezed his hand.

“That sounds great.”

“I’ll tell you what, I have to stop home before going to pick her up at two. Why don’t you guys go to the flea market, and we can meet up at the park after?”

I looked over at Fisher, and he shrugged. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

After we finished eating, Fisher left, and Hudson took a quick shower before putting the clothes he’d worn to work yesterday back on. I watched from the bedroom door as he tugged on one of his socks. He must have sensed me there because he spoke before even looking up.

“Think we could keep a few things at each other’s places? So maybe I won’t have to wear day-old socks and a suit for my Saturday morning walk of shame back home?”

I smiled, and a warm feeling ran through me. “I’d like that a lot.”

A few minutes later, Hudson kissed me goodbye.

“Do you have any dinner plans for tonight with Charlie?” I asked.

“We usually just order in if we’re out during the day.”

“Do you think it would be too much if I made you guys dinner? I can pick up what I need on my way over.”

“I’d love that. But I can pick up whatever you need. Just text me a list.”

“Nope. I want it to be a surprise.”

Hudson smiled and kissed my forehead. “Can’t wait.”

“So you and Hudson seem pretty tight.”

Fisher and I strolled the aisles at the flea market side by side.

I sighed. “He’s incredible.”

He wiggled his brows. “I know. I got an eyeful of that chest at breakfast this morning.”

I laughed. “That’s not what I meant. But yeah, his body is pretty amazing, too.”

“I’m probably not supposed to tell you this, but he didn’t say not to, and you know I can’t keep a secret, especially not from you…”

“What?”

“He knocked on my apartment door on his way out today.”

“What for?”

“He asked if I was going to be home tomorrow morning. Apparently, he’s going to try to have something delivered for you.”

“Did he say what?”

Fisher shook his head. “No, but I gave him my number so he can text me. I hope I don’t accidentally hit him up after a few drinks. His number is right above Hughes.”

“The guy you hook up with sometimes?”

“Yeah, and we don’t make small talk. I think last time I had a few drinks, I texted him Wanna fuck, and he responded with his location.”

I laughed. “Okay, well, hopefully you won’t do that. But you have no idea what he wants to have delivered?”

“Nope. Hopefully it’s foam.”

“Foam?”

Fisher nodded. “To put behind your headboard. I heard you guys going at it last night.”

“Oh God, please tell me you’re kidding.”

“Your bed shares a wall with my television in the living room. I have that shelf that holds the cable box and some books underneath. You knocked Stephen King on the floor.”

I covered my face with my hands. “God, I would not want to hear you having sex. We actually broke the bedframe last night. I’ll move it away from the wall.”

“Nice. I once broke a dentist’s chair when I was sleeping with that orthodontist. But never a bed.”

My nose wrinkled. “Thanks for sharing. Now every time I go to the dentist, I’m going to wonder whose naked ass has had sex where I’m sitting.”

“You’re welcome.” Fisher winked. “But seriously, how dramatic would I sound if I said you looked radiant? Something about you has changed, but I can’t put my finger on it.”

“It’s probably because I broke my year-long dry spell. Maybe you’re just seeing the muscles in my face relax for the first time in a while.”

“Mmmm…” He assessed me. “No, you had that going on this morning. The wild, just-fucked hair was a good look for you, by the way. But it’s something more… You seem lighter or something.”

There was no one on this Earth who could read me like Fisher—which really spoke volumes about my past relationship. Aiden had never paid enough attention to know if something was bothering me.

I reached over and took Fisher’s hand. Lacing my fingers with his, I squeezed. “You’re so good at being my friend. I wasn’t going to say anything, because I don’t want to make it more than it is, but I called my mom today, right before we left for the train, actually.”

Fisher’s eyebrows rose. “What made you do that?”

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about forgiveness…and trying to move on with my life.” I shrugged. “I want to make Hudson something she always cooked for me that I loved, so I thought that might be a good place to start.”

“She must’ve been happy to hear your voice.”

I frowned. “She was. We didn’t talk for very long, though. I asked her if I could have the recipe and then asked her if they were doing okay. She definitely seemed hesitant. I got the feeling she was afraid to say anything wrong. We were on the phone maybe five minutes. When we said goodbye, she asked if I’d call again soon, and I said I’d try.”

This time it was Fisher who squeezed my hand. “Good for you. I think it’s time, my Stella Bella.”

After we finished shopping, Fisher and I took the subway back to the City. We were going two different directions, so we said goodbye at Grand Central Station.

He kissed the top of my head and gave me a big hug. “I’m happy for you,” he said. “I have a really good feeling about things between you and the Adonis. I see a bright future.”

Always afraid to jinx myself, I said thank you, rather than telling him I agreed. But deep down, I saw something bright in the future, too.

I just never expected that brightness to come from a giant explosion.