Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 44474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44474 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Cartoon character style…on the floor…dropped.
I gasped, abandoning any semblance of cool as I moved to the bank of windows and the panoramic view of the full moon shining a spotlight on the Pacific Ocean.
“This is incredible, like the world’s biggest stage lit with twinkling stars. It must be magnificent in daylight.”
“It is,” Hudson agreed, turning on the lamp next to the sofa.
I pivoted on my heels, shaking my head in wonder at the opulent furnishings and the sheer size of the suite—which, quite honestly, rivaled the square footage of my entire cottage.
“This is the honeymoon suite,” I stated.
“Yep.” He brushed his hands together and pointed at the well-stocked bar in the corner of the room. “Just water?”
“Yes, please.”
“You got it. Make yourself comfortable.” Hudson poured himself a cocktail of some kind and handed me a water bottle, raising his glass in a toast before sitting on the opposite end of the sofa. “Cheers.”
I uncapped the bottle, took a sip, and launched into nervous chatter mode.
“I worked for a guy who lived in a penthouse on the Upper East Side. He had a few of us over for a holiday soiree, and I’d thought I’d never seen such a glamourous home. It wasn’t a mansion with acres of land, a pool, stables, and private bowling alley, though if I’m not mistaken, he owned all that in New Jersey, too. But he did have a Central Park view, cathedral-high ceilings, and everything dripped with crystal and glittered with gold. I was twenty-five at the time. I couldn’t believe people really lived like that. Especially since I shared an apartment in Bushwick with two strangers in a five-story walk-up. I’d been suitably impressed, but this is…truly something special.”
“Yeah, it’s nice.”
“Ugh! What was wrong with her?”
“Kylie left me for her yoga instructor,” Hudson replied, looking decidedly unbothered.
“No!”
“ ’Fraid so. We didn’t tell our friends and family that, of course. I wasn’t supposed to know there was another man, but I found out about him after the dust settled. The official statement was that we’d decided to put a temporary hold on our nuptials. ‘Apologies for the inconvenience, and thanks to all for supporting us and for respecting our privacy.’ ” He huffed derisively. “My mom flipped her lid. My whole family did. But I stuck to the script. The real story was…sad. She just wasn’t in love with me, and the closer the date came along, the more unhappy she was. And the more evident it was that there was someone else. I could feel it, but I didn’t know how to talk to her about feelings. We didn’t have that kind of relationship. We were the couple who’d dated for two years, saw a bunch of friends gettin’ hitched, and figured it was our turn. I proposed, she said yes, and we spent another year and a half planning a huge wedding with three hundred guests.”
“Three hundred?”
“Yeah, you wouldn’t believe the budget. It was insane. Her parents were footing the bill for most of it, but the honeymoon was all me. Kylie wanted a beachy adventure, and this was where it was going to start. We were supposed to jet to Hawaii from here, but thankfully, I was able to cancel that part with minimal damage. So…here I am, a year and some change later.” Hudson gave a self-deprecating shrug and sipped his drink.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, unable to think of anything constructive that didn’t sound like a useless platitude.
“I’m not. I’m not sorry at all. Don’t get me wrong—I was at first. I was hurt and confused and all that, but Kylie was right. We didn’t have it. All we talked about was the wedding. I was busy at the ranch, she was busy at work. Hell, I didn’t even know she took yoga. We weren’t growing in the same direction, and that was before the ‘I dos.’ I’m grateful as hell she recognized it. No one wants to be with someone who doesn’t love them. No one wants to be a habit or a lifetime regret. I’d much rather be the guy who got dumped.”
“You’re a wise man. I commend you, good sir.”
Hudson snickered. “Thanks. And for the record, I’d originally decided to take this trip for the sake of closure, but now…it’s business too. More of a reconnaissance stakeout than anything.”
“Understood. One more question.” I ran my fingers along the fringe of the silk pillow next to me on the sofa and pointed at the modern chandelier over the dining table nearby. “Is this level of opulence the norm for you?”
“God, no. I have a condo a mile from the ranch. Two bedrooms, one bath, boring beige carpet, and a kitchen that could probably use a facelift. Anti-opulence at its best.”
“Great.” I sipped my water, recapped the bottle, and set it on the coffee table. “Well, you can show me your penis now.”