Page 49 of Summer Love

I got out and walked around to her door, helping her out.

"Thank you for a nice night. Your family is wonderful."

"Are you going to continue shadowing me this next week?" I asked, barely breathing while I waited for her to answer.

She glanced over at me as we headed up the walk. "I was hoping I could continue to work with you. That's not going to be a problem, is it?"

"I wasn't sure if you were done with your research now that you've met everyone, and you've had some time to get to know us."

Elena paused on the porch, her expression thoughtful. "I'm not done yet, but I probably need to start on the outlining process. Once I do, I'll have a better idea of where I'm going with it and what to focus on."

"If there's anything I can do to help, let me know."

The light on the porch illuminated her face. "You've already done so much."

"The more accommodating I am, the quicker you can write your story," I said, regretting my words almost as soon as they left my mouth.

She winced, then turned away to unlock her door. "Good night. Hudson."

Then she was gone, and I felt like a jerk for insinuating that I couldn't wait to have her out of my life.

I stood on the porch, wondering if I should knock softly so I could apologize. I could text her, but that didn't seem right either. I should talk to her in person. It was one of those mistakes that I had a feeling would take on a life of its own. I couldn't retract the words, and I couldn't slow their power.

There was no good way to repair the situation. Apologizing wasn't enough. I ran a hand through my hair and jogged down the steps.

Thunder rumbled in the distance, and I wished that we'd had plans for the evening. I would have enjoyed spending the evening watching the rain come down with Elena.

It was possible I felt a little vulnerable when she was asking about Marshall because that was a tough situation for me. I was close to him, and I hadn't even known that he was planning to leave.

It hurt and made me feel like I couldn't trust my judgment. I was so wrong about him; how could I be right about anything else?

On the way home, the rain landed on the windshield. By the time I parked the car in my driveway, it was pouring. I ran to the door and pushed it open.

Where was Elena now? Was she curled up on her round chair, looking out the window? Was she sitting on her porch in the rain?

I moved outside onto the deck and videotaped the rain coming down, then sent it to her. The water made a soothing sound as it struck the roof of the house.

Almost immediately, she responded to my video message.

Elena: Are you outside in the rain?

I was soaked, but I felt closer to her, enjoying something that she did too.

Hudson: I am. Where are you?

Elena: I'm curled up on my chair, watching through the window.

Hudson: I'm on the deck.

Elena: Are you soaking wet?

Hudson: I am.

Elena: I wish I could see that.

I should invite her to come over, but I was enjoying our banter over text message. Instead, I snapped a picture of me standing in the rain, then sent it to her with a caption:How's this?

Elena: I love it!

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