Page 7 of Make Me Swoon

“Are you out of food?” he asks and I can hear the concern in his voice.

“Nah, I’ve got some ramen and cereal. I’ll be fine.”

“Or, you could come out to dinner with me,” he suggests and I shake my head at him.

“I would… but I’m busy. I need to go grocery shopping tonight,” I say with an evil grin and Hudson laughs.

“Yeah, alright. In all honesty though, are you alright? You seemed a little, I don’t know, sad, last night.”

There is no way in hell that I’m telling Hudson about my lack of direction in life. I’m pretty sure the guy was saving up for his first restaurant and learning how to cook before he could walk. He wouldn’t get it. How could he understand that I’ve failed at pretty much every career that I’ve ever had when I doubt that he’s failed at anything ever?

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired after work and girl’s night last night.”

“Did you guys go to The Fainting Goat?”

“Yeah, we were going to try that new bar in Lilac Harbor, but it will have to wait until next week.”

“Did Arlo ask Iris out yet?” he asks and I can’t help but laugh.

Even Hudson knows about Arlo and Iris and he practically lives at Prim + Proper.

“Nope, but he did stare longingly across the bar at her for most of the night,” I say with a dramatic, dreamy sigh.

“Well, I guess that’s baby steps then,” Hudson says with a grin.

“Yeah, at this rate they could have their first date in a few decades!”

Hudson laughs and I unlock my Jeep. I need to get to work before I’m late and have to deal with Stan.

“Can I have my note?” I ask as he opens my door for me and our eyes meet and lock.

“I wasn’t sure that you liked them,” he admits in a low voice and I give him a little smile, plucking the piece of paper out of his hand.

“They’re entertaining,” I hedge as I climb behind the wheel.

“We could have an entertaining conversation instead of this. Perhaps over dinner?”

I grin at him, biting my lip. It’s getting harder and harder to turn him away, to remind myself why it isn’t a good idea to go out with Hudson no matter how attracted I am to him.

“I’ve got to go. Don’t want to be late for work.”

He looks disappointed, but he nods, stepping back as he closes my door. I roll my window down and he leans his elbows on it, meeting my eyes.

“Drive safe,” he teases with a grin and I laugh, flipping him off as I back out of my spot and head toward the Mystery Cabin.

I park next to Sutton’s car and head into the gift shop. Sutton and Stan are arguing over by the snow globe display, and I wince as Sutton’s hands get a little too close to the glass shelves. She barely misses it and I shake my head as I make my way back behind the cash register.

Bandit is curled up in his bed by the stools, and I shove my purse into the cupboard beneath the counter before I pet him. He tries to kiss my face and I laugh as I push him away and scratch his ears.

“It could bring in more business! Even in the off season,” Sutton argues and Stan snorts.

“I’ve been running this place for longer than you’ve been alive.”

“Yeah, and things have changed a lot in all of those years! I went to school for business. All I want to do is see this place succeed. Why won’t you just trust me? All I want to do is help.”

Stan sighs and I stay crouched down behind the register with Bandit, listening as they argue.

“Fine. Let’s try it your way,” Stan says after a minute, and I smile, happy that he’s learning to trust Sutton and other people more.

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