Page 3 of Make Me Swoon

He got his car fixed. I know, because he leaves it parked right next to mine every night even though he lives in a nice house on the water a block and a half away.

That reminds me, and I reach into my pocket, opening up the note that was left on my windshield. Hudson has been doing it for months and it’s always the same. A would you rather question and an invite to dinner.

So far, I haven’t taken him up on his dinner offer and I never reply to his would you rather questions either, no matter how entertaining I may find them. I swore off guys until I have a plan for the rest of my life. I thought that it was a good idea… before I met Hudson.

Hudson makes me wish that I already had my life together, that I already had a plan.

He’s basically my dream guy and I hate having to ignore him every time he leaves me a note or when we run into each other in town.

I take a deep breath as I read the note that he left for me today.

Lyla,would you rather be forced to sing along or dance to every single song you hear?

Have dinner with me and we can discuss…

x. H

“Are you hungry, Lyla?”Stan asks as he comes back with Bandit on his leash.

“Yeah, I skipped breakfast.”

“Hmph, you should wake up earlier. You need to eat,” he says with a frown, and I try to hide my smile.

“You’re right. Want me to go grab us something to eat?” I ask and he sighs.

“I guess. Can’t have you collapsing on me at work,” he says, pretending to be annoyed as he grabs his wallet and hands me a ten-dollar bill.

“The Upside Diner?” I ask, naming the retro-style diner just down the road and he nods.

“Get my usual. You should probably take Bandit. He’s been cooped up in here for too long.”

“What a great idea!”

“Smartass,” he mumbles, but I can see him smiling as I take the leash and grab my phone.

“I’ll be right back!”

I head across the gravel parking lot and down the sidewalk toward downtown Destiny Falls. It’s a beautiful day, not too hot yet and I enjoy the slight breeze blowing in off of Lake Michigan. Bandit has to stop and sniff every blade of grass, so the ten-minute walk ends up taking twenty, but I don’t mind.

I wonder what the weather will be like when I leave. I’m close to having enough to pay Hudson back and then I’ll be hitting the road again. I don’t mind the cold and I wonder what a Michigan winter is like. Part of me wants to find out, but I’m on a mission.

My dad passed away a few months ago and that’s when this itch to travel first started. It had been just the two of us for so long that I just couldn’t bear to live in our cramped New York City apartment without him. I could barely afford it either and I didn’t want to get a roommate and have them touching mine and my father’s things.

The plan was for me to travel across the country, working when I needed to, but mainly just exploring and learning more about myself and what I wanted out of my life.

The truth is, I’m twenty-five and I have no idea what I want to do with my life. I never have, though I’ve tried to work in a vast number of fields. None have been a perfect fit.

I was hoping that this trip would help me find my place in the world now that the last real family member that I had was gone. Help me figure out what I’m meant to do, what makes me happy. It’s not like I had anything left for me in New York City.

“Lyla!” my friend Madelyn calls and I smile as she joins me at the door for The Upside Diner.

“Hey, grabbing breakfast?” I ask her.

“Yeah, Flynn and I are supposed to meet here, but it looks like he’s running late,” she says and I smile wider as I see Flynn pulling in behind her.

Flynn is Madelyn’s friend from college and roommate. Everyone is pretty sure that they’re in love but they have yet to admit that.

“Speak of the devil,” she teases and Flynn laughs as he joins us.

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