Page 17 of Make Me Swoon

“We’ll let you get back to work, but call us if you need anything tonight,” Iris says, pulling me into a hug.

“Send us a picture of your outfit!” Sutton adds.

“And text us tomorrow to tell us how it went. I want to know everything,” Madelyn says, hugging me.

Sutton hugs me too, whispering to have fun in my ear before she pulls back.

I smile as I watch them leave and head back to the gift shop. The first guests are just about to come in and Stan and I switch places as they do.

I watch him launch into his welcome speech and grin as everyone hangs on his every word. He really can be charismatic when he wants to be.

He starts to lead them down the hallway and into the first attraction room. I take a seat behind the register, petting Bandit as I take a seat. He whines and I know that he’s looking for treats.

“Hey,” Teller says as he comes into the gift shop and I look up with a smile.

He’s got his usual baseball hat on backward and he grins at me as he sets down his toolbox by the register.

“Is my girl in here?” he asks and I nod.

“She’s around here somewhere.”

Bandit wags his tail, pacing at Teller’s feet, and he opens the door, letting Bandit head outside and over to his truck. He stops over by some trees, sniffing around happily.

“Hey,” Sutton says as she comes into the gift shop and heads over to greet Teller.

I look away as they kiss and say hello.

“We’ll see you later, Lyla,” Sutton says and I wave goodbye as they head out.

The rest of the afternoon passes by pretty slow. We only get the tour bus and one family who comes through and Stan lets me leave half an hour early. I text Hudson before I head home, my heart racing for some reason before I hit send.

Lyla:Hey, it’s Lyla. What are the plans for tonight? I’m wondering what I should wear.

I start driving,figuring that it will be a few minutes at least before he gets back to me but my phone dings a minute later with a reply.

I drive back to my apartment, parking next to Hudson’s Range Rover. I don’t see him in the restaurant’s front windows, so I head up to my place.

Hudson:The place is casual. Just wear whatever you’re comfortable in. I’m sure that you look beautiful no matter what.

I’ve alwaysloved surprises and I love that he didn’t tell me where he’s taking me. I head to my bedroom, rummaging through my clothes as I try to decide what to wear. I want to kind of dress up, so I grab a pair of dark wash skinny jeans and a fancier tank top. I didn’t think to pack anything too fancy before I left for my trip and I wonder if I should go shopping soon for some nicer clothes.

It’s nice outside today and I hope that wherever we go, we can sit outside and eat. I have one black cardigan and I grab that in case we do and I get cold.

I don’t have that many shoes either, so I grab the same wedge sandals that I wore last night and head to the bathroom to put on some makeup.

Hudson knocks at my door at exactly six-thirty and I hop on one foot, tugging on my shoes as I make my way to the door.

“Hey,” he greets me and I grin, taking him in.

He’s wearing jeans too and a tight black T-shirt that clings to his biceps and chest. It’s probably the most casual that I’ve ever seen him and I like that.

“Hey,” I say as he leans down and brushes a soft kiss across my cheek.

“You look beautiful,” he tells me and I smile up at him.

“You look nice too,” I tell him as I grab my purse and lock my front door.

He has a bag in one hand and he uses the other to grab my hand as we head downstairs. I expect him to lead me over to his car, but we keep walking, crossing the street and heading down to the beach.

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