Until You Loved Me (Silver Springs #3)(65)

A text came in. She thought it might be from Hudson—possibly more reassurance—but it was Don.

I heard you quit today, that you’re moving to California with Hudson. Is that true?

He and Leo had already left the BDC by the time she’d arrived earlier, so she hadn’t said goodbye to them. She’d been relieved that hadn’t been necessary. But reading his words made the impending changes so real—and caused goose bumps to break out on her arms.

Was she crazy?

Maybe. But there was no turning back. Hudson had told her tonight that he’d purchased two first-class tickets to LAX. A limo would be picking her up in the morning—after collecting him from his hotel.

Yes, she replied.

You’ve got to be kidding me!

She didn’t answer, but that didn’t stop him from texting again.

Don’t be a fool, Ellie. You’re making a mistake. Whatever’s going on between you two, it won’t last. You don’t even really know him!

Don’t pretend you care, she wrote back.

That’s the thing. I do care. Just because I love Leo doesn’t mean I can’t love you, too. Love is never an either-or. That was what made everything so difficult for me. I wasn’t pretending when we were together.

She almost typed “You were still lying to me,” but what was the purpose? They’d been down that road. I appreciate the kind words, she wrote instead. Regardless of what happened with Hudson, she was over Don.

But you’re still going? he wrote.

Of course.

Ellie, please don’t. This will screw up your life.

How do you know?

Do you understand the number of women who must throw themselves at him? Some of the most beautiful women in the world are probably vying for a marriage proposal. No one could hang on to someone like him—not for long. He’s a dream, a mirage.

True. So she wasn’t even going to try to win his heart.

I appreciate your concern and wish you and Leo the best.

There was a long pause before he responded. Then he wrote the classiest text she’d ever received from him.

You’re a beautiful, smart, confident woman who’s capable of doing great things. You don’t need Hudson or any man, so hold your head high no matter what happens.

*

Ellie had never flown first-class. She’d been too practical to spend the extra money, but Hudson refused to fly any other way. He said he couldn’t sit in the cramped seats of coach, that he didn’t fit, and he wasn’t about to subject himself to the onslaught of interest he’d receive if he didn’t do something to separate himself from the other passengers.

She would’ve felt the same if she were him. He couldn’t walk through the airport without people stopping to stare, point or give him a high five. One woman approached to ask for a picture, which Hudson was nice enough to allow—until other people started lining up. After five or six photos, when the swarm only grew larger, he excused himself, saying he had to get through security so he wouldn’t miss his flight, and took Ellie’s hand to make sure she moved as quickly as he did.

“I could’ve flown in coach,” she told him after they’d boarded and were putting on their seat belts.

He’d taken the window seat to put some distance between him and the people filing past. “You told me that—about ten times.”

“I meant it. This seems like an unnecessary extravagance.”

“I’d never stick you in back while I sat in front.”

“Why not? Coach is all I’ve ever flown.”

“You’re uprooting your life and coming to California because I asked you to. The least I can do is provide a first-class ticket.”

Except that kept her right next to him, and she’d been hoping for a reprieve. The more time she spent with him, the harder it became not to touch him. The fact that she hadn’t slept with anyone since their night together five months ago only added to that. After being so serious with Don, her body had grown accustomed to a certain amount of sexual activity, and she was feeling the long absence. She told herself that was why she kept remembering the taste of Hudson’s warm, soft mouth on hers and the way he’d used his hands to excite and please her at the hotel.

You have to forget about that, she told herself and tried not to mind when an especially attractive flight attendant leaned across her to tell Hudson she’d be available if he needed anything during the flight.

“She was pretty, don’t you think?” Ellie asked.

“Who?” he replied, although the woman had patted his arm before walking away.

“The flight attendant.”

Hudson had his ball cap and sunglasses on in an attempt to blend into the background, but the flight attendant obviously knew who he was, and the people who’d recognized him in the airport hadn’t been fooled. “Oh. Yeah. I guess.”

Ellie got the feeling he hadn’t really looked at the woman. “I wonder if I’m going to like California,” she mused.

“I hope so.” He sounded a bit worried.

She studied his profile. “Are you sure I shouldn’t get my own place? Won’t it feel odd for us to be...roommates?”

He kept his face turned to the window while he answered. No doubt he was afraid one of the coach passengers still boarding would get a good look at him and alert the whole plane to his presence. “Odd in what way?”