Page 53 of Her Goal
My aunt literally clutches her pearls. “You did what? But he has such a handsome smile.”
“To be fair, we were playing a mean game of street hockey,” Hudson says.
Valentina explains, “If you recall, when we were kids, Leah was a tomboy. She played next door with Hunter, Hudson’s twin.”
My other aunt snaps her fingers. “I knew there were two of them. I thought my memory was getting spotty, but I was right! Twins!”
“We didn’t have dental insurance at the time, so I spent the next three months missing my front tooth,” Hudson says.
“We were twelve, did you really need a front tooth?” I counter.
“You remember the song everyone sang to me in Mrs. Gardner’s class?”
I distinctly do and how they’d whistle and lisp, making fun of him. Feeling a midge of renewed guilt, I glance at Hudson because he does have a nice smile. “Hunter told me to take the shot.”
“Did you always listen to Hunter?” he asks.
My voice is small when I answer, “Yes.”
Pouting, I march over to the dessert table and pick up a sugar cookie as big as my head. Before I even bring it to my mouth, a warm shadow casts over my shoulder.
Hudson says, “You can’t solve your problems with baked goods.”
“Then what are they for?”
Jess nods once. “That’s what I say.”
Not her too.
Lips pinched together, I shake my head slowly. “I beg to differ.”
Hudson leans into my ear, tickling the hair on my neck with his breath. “Even if they want us to go ahead with this, we don’t have to.”
“Obviously. It’s insane. They’ve gone off the ranch.”
“It’s fine. Don’t even worry about it. We’ll let them think … and then in the summer or fall or whenever we’ll just flee the country,” he says.
I almost laugh, but instead, I say, “We’d have to do it in October since my brother and Marisol are getting married in July.”
“Or we could do things our way. Have a winter wedding. The reception can be right here.”
“That’s not a bad idea. The dessert table would work over there where my uncles and dad set up.” I slap my forehead. “Wait. What am I saying? We’re not getting married.”
Hudson just laughs. “Your parents invited me to Chuck and Marisol’s wedding. So I can, and I quote, ‘See how it’s done.’”
“They’ll see me leaving you at the altar.”
He winces.
I barrel on, “You do realize this is beyond crazy. We hardly know each other. I have a history with your brother. Sorta. You have your career, like you said. It’s obvious you hate Cobbiton and will leave the first chance you get. We’re simply not right for each other.”
He nods and, as if dismissed, starts toward the door. Lifting his hand with a wave, he adds, “Thanks, everyone, for the fun evening and desserts. See ya.”
“We’ll see you at Bingo Night!” Abuela calls in Spanish.
She and Grandma Dolly sit there like a pair of cacklingbrujas.
Hudson winks at me. “Later, Skater.”
