Page 33 of Fragile Heart

CHAPTER13

Quinn

The dayafter our shopping trip, Hudson brings his new LEGO set over to my apartment. He’s so excited to start building. I watch his eyes light up when he pours the pieces out of the bags and onto my coffee table. He puts the instruction book in between us, and we get to work to build the base of the ship.

“I didn’t realize you were such a big LEGO fan,” I tell him after about thirty minutes of watching him concentrate intently on this. I’m pretty sure I saw his tongue poking out between his lips at one point from focusing so hard.

“I’m not really. I just never got to play with them when I was a kid because I was filming so much forOlympians. But when I saw this, I figured I could try it.” Bless his heart. I swallow the lump in my throat, thinking about a little Hudson missing out on everything most kids get to do when they’re growing up. It makes my heart hurt for him, but I don’t say anything because I know he doesn’t want that.

It also sucks knowing that my absolute favorite movie series might have ruined my new friend’s childhood. He already told me his parents split because of it, and now I learn that he missed out on fun parts of growing up?

I so badly want to wrap my arms around him and just hold him, but I stop myself. He’s only given me bits and pieces of his life, but I wonder if he truly has anyone on his side advocating for him. I know he’s got his agent and his friends, but is anyone standing in his corner reminding him that he’s a real person who deserves to be happy?

Instead of hugging him, I hand him the small white piece he needs next and watch his long fingers snap it to the ship.

By the time he leaves for the night, he’s built almost the entire bottom half of the ship, and I can tell he’s really proud of himself. He kept stopping to take pictures on his phone to capture his progress.

I was glad he decided to leave it at my place. It reassured me that he would be coming back.

* * *

Over the next week, Hudson and I see each other almost every spare moment. His days are lasting longer on the movie set, and I’m working my normal shifts at the diner, but it seems we still get to see each other every day. And if we don’t see each other, we text.

It’s a weird little friendship we’re building. One I never thought I needed but am so glad I have. I know deep down this won’t last forever. I know he’s going back to LA in just a few weeks, and the likelihood of me seeing him again is slim, but I won’t take my time with him for granted.

So when he asks me to come to the movie set on my first day off in four days when I had planned on binge reading a new book from my favorite author, I push all my plans aside and immediately agree. Plus, I’ve never been to a movie studio before.

Hudson arranges everything for my visit with his assistant, Cara. She’s the one who greets me after I go through security at the studio and is not at all what I was expecting. Her blonde hair is cut in a stylish pixie cut, and she’s petite. Almost half a foot smaller than me. She kind of reminds me of Tinker Bell.

“Hi, Ms. Watson.” She extends her small hand for me to shake.

“Oh, Quinn is fine.” She gives me a quick smile and tells me to follow her down a hallway. She pushes a door open at the end, and we’re right in front of a golf cart. She slides into the driver’s seat, and I climb in next to her. She takes off past a few different warehouse-looking buildings before stopping in front of one toward the back of the giant lot.

“Ok, here we are.” She gets out and asks, “So, how do you know Hudson?”

“I met him in Blue Mountain. I work at a diner there. He came in a few times, and we became friends.” As the words fall out of my mouth, I realize how crazy it sounds. I’m friends with a Hollywood superstar because I served him a few meals.

“Aww, that’s cute,” she coos. I glance over at her to see her eyes glued to her tablet, so I’m not even sure she was listening to me. “Ok, they’re in the middle of a scene right now. I’ll leave you by Hudson’s chair. He’ll come over when he can. Make sure your phone is on silent and absolutely no pictures.”

I nod, and she opens the door to the building. It’s dark, but I can see a set that looks like a giant ballroom in the distance. As we get closer, I see people gathered around the camera, watching the scene unfold in front of them.

Cara drops me off beside a set of chairs which I assume belong to the actors and leaves me standing there without a glance, walking off toward the other side of the set.

I look at the line of chairs and wonder if I should sit in one while I wait but ultimately decide against it. I don’t want to piss anyone off by accidentally sitting in their chair. So, I stand awkwardly with my hands linked in front of me and try to find Hudson in the scene.

The camera moves towards the center of the set when I finally lay eyes on him, and the wind is almost knocked out of me. Hudson is in a tuxedo. A full-blown tuxedo with a bow tie and everything. I get up on my tiptoes to get a better look over everyone’s head. I’m mesmerized by Hudson’s movements as he dances with his co-star, Bella Monroe, in his arms. She looks stunning in a form-fitting gown. I’m surprised when I feel my chest burn with jealousy. I know they’re just acting, but the way they’re looking at each other and the closeness of their faces makes me want to look away. Like we’re all intruding on a private moment.

But I have no claim to him.

Even if they weren’t acting in a scene, who he dates is none of my business. Just like who I date is none of his.

Maybe I should start dating again. Holly is always trying to get me back out there. The thought of downloading dating apps makes me nauseous, but I can’t let myself get hung up on someone I can’t have.

I’m attracted to Hudson, yes. But I know I can’t act on that. And despite what Holly says, I don’t think Hudson wants that either. So, I take a deep breath and watch Hudson slowly dip Bella. His hand runs up her leg, and the slit on her dress falls open to reveal a prop gun holstered to her thigh.

I should look at their faces to figure out what’s happening in the scene, but I can’t take my eyes off his hand on her thigh. My mind immediately starts wondering what his hand would feel like on my leg. I feel the heat creep up my neck. Maybe I shouldn’t have come here.

“Cut!” someone yells, breaking me out of my trance. Hudson drops Bella’s leg and brings her back upright. They step away from each other, and Vaughn walks up to them, looking as equally dashing in a tuxedo of his own. The person I assume is the director walks up to the group and starts animatedly talking to them. I can’t hear what he’s saying because I’m too far away.

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