Page 101 of Promise Me

“I told you that I like to be near you, so my body knows when you leave.” He grips my chin, tilts my head back, and kisses me. “So, really though, what are you doing?” he asks again.

“I was just looking at the books. Brooke has been doing so well without me.”

“Does that make you sad?”

I take a breath and set the pen in my hand down.

“No. I think I’m going to see if she wants to buy this place from me.”

His brow rises in shock.

It’s the first time I’ve admitted it out loud to anyone. A part of me thinks I should be asking my father for permission, but the other part of me remembers what he said the other day: no matter what happens in my life, do everything with love. If I stayed on as the owner of the bakery, I’d be doing it out of guilt. The guilt that I gave up on my mom’s dream.

But at the end of the day, it was her dream and not mine, and I’d like to think she’d approve of my choice. This bakery needs someone to run it with as much passion as she did. Brooke is that person.

“You are?”

I nod. “I don’t love it the way she does. I think if I did, that passion would have come back by now.”

Hudson takes a seat on the corner of the desk. He leans forward and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear.

My heart races, and I cross my legs.

So that’s what that feels like.

“Is this what you want?” he asks.

“Yes.”

“Then you should do it.”

“What if she doesn't say yes because she’s worried I’ll remember one day?”

“Well, I guess we promise that you’ll remember how you felt back thenandhow you feel right now.”

He clears his throat and stands quickly.

He’s not just talking about the bakery.

“This is Brooke we’re talking about. She knows both versions of you. I think she’ll love the idea.”

“Really?”

“Yes, but do you know what I would love?” he asks, reaching for my hand and pulling me out of the chair. “If you’d come back to bed with me.”

His nose nudges mine as I ask, “Right now?”

“Right now,” he repeats.

He kisses me with so much passion that he pushes me against the desk. His hand slides to my backside and cups my butt. I feel the moment he starts to lift me, but the door swings open.

“I’m all for this, but this is a bakery. There is a legit kitchen right outside this door.” Hudson pulls back, and I swear I hear a growl come from him.

“Also,” Brooke goes on as she points at Hudson, “shirts are required here.”

I let out a light laugh, grab his hand, and pull him to the door.

“Sorry, Boss, it won’t happen again,” I tease and then leave through the kitchen with Hudson right behind me.

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