Page 2 of Make Me Swoon

I’ve dated, more so when I was younger, in high school, and had more time, but I never seemed to be able to make it past the first date. Something always went wrong, or I found some way to ruin it.

There was that date with Robby Schulmer where we went to the county fair and I threw up on him after one too many funnel cakes and twister rides. Or the time where I accidentally ran over Trever Beltima’s foot when we went go-karting. Every single date has ended with someone sick or injured. After a while, I just stopped trying. It seemed safer for everyone that way.

Like it was a sign that maybe I’m just not meant to be in a relationship or find love.

An image of Hudson pops into my head and I know that I can’t go down that road, so I turn and try to focus on the inventory that needs to be done.

It doesn’t work.

I only make it a few minutes before I’m back to thinking of my dark-haired landlord. I’ve been thinking about Hudson since I first got to town. In fact, he’s the reason why I’m currently living and working in Destiny Falls. Remember that car crash that I mentioned?

It all happened two and a half months ago.

I had just driven over the bridge and into the small town of Destiny Falls and was trying to grab my sunglasses from out of my purse when some fancy black SUV had pulled out in front of me. I had tried to stop, but it was too late and I ended up rear-ending them.

Thethembeing Hudson Hayes.

I had thought that maybe I needed more sleep, that I must have been seeing things, but when I blinked again, it was still him. I had closed my eyes again, praying for sweet death to take me so that I didn’t have to get out of this car and face him.

Hudson Hayes is a big deal in New York City, where I’m from. He’s actually a big deal to anyone who likes good food or handsome men. He’s a Michelin star chef, a James Beard winner, and the owner of restaurants in all of the major cities all over the world.

He got out of his car, his hand grabbing the back of his neck as he went to look at the damage and I couldn’t help but notice that his hair had looked longer than the last time I saw his picture in the newspaper back home. It’d been a while, probably over a year, but I hadn’t really noticed. The two of us didn’t exactly run in the same circles, and if I was ever able to get off the waitlist for a night out at one of his restaurants, then it would mean that I couldn’t afford rent that month.

He used to be a staple in theNew York Timesand the society pages, standing in his chef’s uniform, arms crossed, easy smile on his sculpted face. Sometimes I wonder if it’s that face that has so many people clamoring to get a reservation at one of his places.

I had gotten it together, jumping out of my Jeep to assess the cars and looking at how bad the damage was.

Luckily, there had only been a scratch on the front of my Jeep. His Range Rover didn’t get away so easily. One of his taillights was busted and the back door was dented along with his bumper. I couldn’t help but wonder how much of a dent this was going to put in my travel fund.

“I’m so sorry. Are you alright? I was trying to grab my sunglasses and didn’t see you in time,” I apologize.

“It’s… fine,” he finished as he finally turned to look at me.

“I can grab my insurance card,” I offer, wincing as I think about what this is going to do to my rates.

I had an accident when I was sixteen and had just gotten my license and another right after my father’s funeral several weeks ago. I could barely afford insurance before this; it’s going to be impossible now.

“I’ll tell you what. Let’s just take it around the corner to Gavin’s Mechanic Shop. He can take a look at it and maybe we won’t have to go through all of that paperwork,” he offered, and I almost gave myself whiplash turning back around.

“Really? Are you sure?” I asked, and he gave me an easy smile.

“Yeah, I’m sure. Gavin’s shop is just around the corner.”

“I’ll follow you,” I promised.

He nodded, heading back to his car, and I climbed into mine. Gavin’s Mechanic Shop really was just right around the corner but given the fact that this town seems to be one main street and not much else, that’s not a surprise.

Hudson pulled in front of one of the loading bay doors and I parked in a spot in front. I grabbed my purse, hopping out, and sighed as I stretched my legs. I’d been driving for the last few days and I didn’t realize how tight my muscles had gotten.

I did my best to stretch as I headed over to meet Hudson at the door. He opened it for me and I smiled, walking in front of him inside.

It had taken some time for Gavin to look over Hudson’s car and when he came back, wiping his hands off on a greasy towel, I knew that I was screwed. I had only saved up a few grand for this soul-searching trip and I had a feeling that my savings were about to get wiped out.

I was right.

I had still offered to go through the insurance since I couldn’t cover the cost, but Hudson said that he trusted me and that I could make payments.

That’s how I ended up working at the Mystery Cabin and living in the apartment right above Hudson’s restaurant downtown. It was the cheapest place to live since he gives me a break on the rent and I just have to cover the utilities.

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