Page 27 of Returning to Everton

“Of course. Have you figured out what you want to get yet?” he asks.

“One of everything?” I joke. “Well, I definitely want more of that coffee cake. Some cinnamon rolls, a couple of each of the different flavor muffins...” I lean over and look in the case again. “God, why do you have to have so many options, Hud?” I complain.

“Umm, because this is a bakery?” he questions with a sexy quirked brow.

I huff. “Fine, I guess that’s a good reason. But it doesn’t help with my indecisiveness, Hud,” I complain again. “Okay okay, just give me the cinnamon rolls, the muffins, and a whole coffee cake,” I declare with finality.

He chuckles at me again. “Okay, Rowe. Let me get it bagged up for you. You want anything to drink to go with it? I know you don’t like coffee, but I got some white chocolate hot cocoa with your name on it.”

I sigh longingly. This man knows me. I miss being around people that just get me like Hudson does. "Thanks, Hudson. That would be great,” I acquiesce.

It takes no time at all before Hudson is standing before me with three bags full of baked goods and a to-go cup of hot cocoa. Dang, looks like I underestimated how much food I ordered. I laugh at myself. Oh well, I’m sure it will all get eaten eventually. Besides I have plenty of room in my fridge for all of this.

“Want a ride home, Rowe? Quinn lives just a little far to have to carry all of this food by yourself, Sugar.”

He’s right, I’m really not looking forward to the walk back now. “That’s okay, Hud. You have a bakery to run. I’m sure I’ll be fine,” I try to assure him. By the look on his face, it didn’t really work.

“I don’t normally get many customers this early anyway.” He walks around me to the front door and flips the sign to closed and locks the door. “Let’s go, my truck is out back. It’ll be easier for us to cut through the kitchen,” he insists.

Well, okay, then. I guess he’s giving me a ride home. I follow him through the back and I have to stop to admire his kitchen. It’s bigger than the one in my new house. Hell, with all the baked goods in that display case it would have to be. That reminds me that Declan said his friend was hiring a baker. Is Hudson Declan’s friend?

“Hey, my new landlord told me there was a bakery in town that was looking to hire a baker. That wouldn’t happen to be you, would it?” I ask.

“Oh... um yeah, that’s me. Why, you want the job, Rowe?” he goads me.

“Shut up, you know damn well I want the job. Are you really hiring though Hudson, or are you just being nice?” I question him.

He sighs. “Rowen, you know I’ve always wanted to open a bakery with you. When you got married and left town after graduation... I didn’t know what to do with myself for a long time. It took me a while, but I finally decided I needed to do it anyway. I always hoped you would come back someday and we could run it together like we always planned. Well, Rowen, you look like you’re back to me. So, the job is yours. Whenever you want it,” he assures me.

Wow, I can’t believe Hudson just admitted all of that. I walk up to him and wrap my arms around him. I press up against him as I hold him tight. I can’t stop the tear that slips down my cheek.

“I’m so sorry, Hudson. I had always planned on coming back to you guys. Hell, I got a business degree so I could open this bakery with you! I just...I don’t understand why I gave all this up for Harris. Don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. I got the best thing in my life from that mistake. Violet is my whole world now, and I wouldn’t change that for anything. But sometimes I think about all of the things I missed out on, being married to Harris. About how my life would have been had I come home after college instead of marrying him,” I sniffle. “I’m sorry I hurt you, Hudson.”

“Oh, Sugar. Please don’t cry. You know I can’t stand it when you cry. It’s okay. I survived. And you’re here now, right? You’re not gonna up and leave again?”

God, the uncertainty in his voice guts me. I would promise him the moon right now if it would make him feel better. Luckily, the only thing he needs me to promise is something I can do without a second of hesitancy.

“Yes, Hudson. I’m here now. And you’re stuck with me this time,” I reassure him as I rub my hand up and down his back trying to soothe him.

“Good. I'd love nothing more than to be stuck with you, Rowen,” he proclaims. And I believe him in that moment. I can’t say that I won’t question his feelings for me, but right now in his arms, after reassuring him that he wasn’t going to lose me again, I believe that he cares about me. That losing me a second time might destroy him. And that is the last thing I ever want to do.

“Okay, take me home, Hudson. I’ve got some hungry girls to feed,” I joke to try to lighten the mood. It works because he chuckles as he lets go of me and grabs my free hand. He’s carrying all three bags in one hand and I’ve got my hot cocoa in my other hand.

We walk out back and he helps me into his SUV, then we head towards Quinn’s. My phone goes off with a text and I check it.

Quinn:hey you still alive? You've been gone forever. I can’t hold Violet off much longer. This girl is huuungry.

Me:lol yes I’m alive. Thanks for your concern. I’m on my way home. Actually Hudson is driving me so we should be there soon.

Quinn:Oh Goody!

I chuckle and go to put my phone away when Hudson stops me. I look up at him in question.

“Rowen, you’ve been gone for ten years. In all that time I’ve never even had your phone number. You save my number in your phone right now and text me,” he demands.

“Okay, okay, gosh. What’s your number, grumpy?” He rattles off his number and I quickly save it in my phone then send him a text.

Me:Ok grumpy now you have my number. What are you gonna do with it?

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