Page 20 of Promise Me

I still live with Dad—okay, but I’m ready to live on my own. Or I was. I don’t know what changed.

I own Mom's bakery. I hate baking, but I love that Mom loved it, so I did it with her. Why would I take over if I don’t like it?

Hudson bought the space I scoped out for Sips and Stories, the name of the bookstore I wanted to open. Mimosas and a romance novel while sitting on a chair that feels like a cloud, yes, please.

Hudson also lives in the apartment above his bar, where I wanted to live.

Lovers Lodge was expanded, along with other places around town. Friends I went to school with are married with kids, and I?—

I choke on my next breath and cover my eyes.

“I hate that I don't remember anything.”

“I know. How can I help?”

“Stop telling me what I missed.”

“Okay.”

“Unless it’s important.”

“Got it.”

More silence.

“What if it’s a funny story I told you about a year ago where you laughed so hard you cried for a good thirty minutes? Would you want to hear it again?” Lincs asks. I can hear the hesitation in the question, but I also recognize that he’s attempting to cheer me up.

Although, in my case, can you?

I raise one brow as I look at him. “I’ll accept the story.”

“Perfect.” He claps and then rubs his hands together. “First, no, I’m not dating anyone, and no, I didn’t date anyone worth introducing to you in the last three years.”

I roll my eyes.

He smiles. “Okay, now, do you remember Mrs. Winters?”

“Oh god.” I cringe. “You mean the only teacher you ever fantasized about. Yes, why?”

“Hey, keep your voice down.” He chuckles nervously and then scoots his chair closer to the bed.

He proceeds to tell me about how she hired him and our dad to sell her house and how, when he went over there to take pictures, he discovered a sex dungeon complete with a swing. A swing that was currently busy holding Mr. Winters. Naked.

I might not start crying with laughter this time, but he does make me smile.

I need it because as soon as I remember again that I’ve forgotten about the last three years, my heart shatters once more.

CHAPTER SIX

HUDSON

I wake up with a gasp in a dead sweat.

I’m not a nightmare kind of guy, but since the day Sadie woke up, I’ve had one every night.

It’s the same thing every single time, too.

It’s me waking up in a hospital bed after my knee was sliced and the doctors and therapists telling me that was the end of my career. That everything I had spent my entire life working for was gone.

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