Page 44 of Fragile Heart

“It looks awesome,” I tell him. I can tell he’s proud of himself by the look on his face. “How are you ever going to get this back to LA?” I laugh, picturing him shoving this huge LEGO ship into his suitcase.

His face falls, and I immediately regret asking the question. We never talk about him leaving Blue Mountain. I don’t even know when he’s supposed to leave. I think we both unconsciously decided to live in the moment.

“I’ll figure something out.” His tone is laced with sadness. I rack my brain, trying to think of how to change the subject.

“Let’s watch something.” I quickly grab the remote and turn the TV on.

“Yeah, ok. I’m going to the bathroom, and then I’ll order us some food.” He stands, and I smile up at him.

I flip through channels before I land on aChampions of Olympiamarathon. I click on it and start watching out of habit, telling myself I’ll turn it when Hudson comes back in the room. I’ve seen these movies so many times that I know exactly what part the movie is at as soon as I turn it on.

I hear Hudson move from the bathroom to the kitchen, where he calls the closest Chinese restaurant to order food. It’s a town over, but luckily they deliver. We’re at the point where Hudson doesn’t even have to ask what I want. He already knows my favorite things to order at each restaurant we’ve ordered from. It’s crazy to think that the man I just met two months ago knows so much about me in such a short period.

“Oh geez, you would be watching this.” His voice startles me as he comes back to the couch.

“I’m going to turn it. I was just seeing what part it’s at.”

“Uh-huh.” He puts his arm around my shoulder and brings me close to him. “We can watch it if you want.”

“Really?” I know my eyes light up.

He chuckles. “Yeah. I’ll even tell you behind-the-scenes stuff.”

“That would be amazing.” I’m sure he thinks I’m crazy, but I don’t care. The star of my favorite movies is sitting on my couch, offering to watch the movies with me. It’s like a dream. I’ve been careful not to fangirl around Hudson since I’ve met him, but now is my time.

So we watch. One movie rolls into the next, and he treats me to funny stories and different anecdotes about filming.

Every story that involves his co-star Jessica sends a pang of jealousy through me. I know they dated. Everyone knows they dated. But he doesn’t really talk about her, so I’m not sure how they ended. Not that it matters, I guess. What matters is that he’s here now.

After one Jessica story, he must sense a change in me because he kisses my head and asks, “What are you thinking about?”

“It’s nothing,” I reply.

“Bullshit. I felt your body tense against me. What happened? What did I say?”

“No, it’s nothing you said. It’s just. . . Jessica.” I wince just saying her name.

“I see.”

I turn to him. “You see what?”

“You’re jealous.”

“I am not!”

“It’s ok.” He leans down to whisper in my ear. “It’s kinda hot.” I swallow and avoid looking at him, embarrassed by how a simple whisper can make me feel this turned on. “Ask me anything you want, Quinn.”

I clear my throat. “Why did you and Jessica break up?”

He thinks a minute before answering. “We just grew apart. We were together because it was convenient and expected. But she was very into being in the public eye, and I wasn’t. I was depressed and relied heavily on alcohol to get me through the day. It wasn’t good anymore, so I left.”

“Was she your last relationship?” I hate even asking these questions because it’s none of my business, but I can’t stop myself. He’s not even asking me for a relationship. All he’s asked me for is friendship and now a single date. Nothing more. But even so, I want to know.

“Relationship? Yes. But she’s not the last woman I’ve been with.”

“I know.”

He cocks one of his perfectly sculpted eyebrows. “Keeping tabs on me, baby?”

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