Page 27

Certainly not my present.

It’s too damned risky.

But it slipped out, and Hudson is looking at me and?—

Then he bursts out laughing and the tension is broken.

I giggle softly.

“You’re funny, princess.”

“Not usually.”

Not anymore.

As though he heard that thought, his face softens. “Speaking of cake, want to hear a funny story?”

My heart skips a beat. “Absolutely.”

And then he proceeds to tell me a story about him and his buddies, Royal, Atlas, and Colt, messing with another one of their friends, Banks, when he got it in his mind to bake a cake for his college girlfriend’s birthday.

“Of course, he didn’t”—his big chest rumbles with laughter—“realize we’d swapped the sugar for salt until they started eating it.” He grins. “He never did close the deal—or make another cake, as far as I know.”

I laugh. “You guys sound like menaces.”

“You don’t know the half of it.”

“Will you—” I cut myself off, knowing I don’t have any right to ask.

Soft fingers on my arm. “Will I what?”

I nibble at my bottom lip again then…go for it. “Will you tell me more about them?”

His expression gentles.

But then he does the most wonderful thing?—

He starts telling me about his friends who are his family.

And I soak up every single word.

Nine

Dash

Normally, I really enjoy my solitude.

I go to work, spend time with my friends and family, and then come home to peace and quiet. It’s how I wind down, reflect on the day, and center myself. It’s something I’ve done since leaving the military, and it’s part of me.

I tend to resent any change to that routine.

And yet, I don’t mind having Willow around.

In fact, I’m starting to crave her company. Sharing meals together—like our late-night snack—and just hearing her voice make me happy.

It’s almost seven and I’m starving, but I don’t want to eat without her, so I put the meatloaf in the oven and plan to wake her from her nap in a few minutes.

Instead, she surprises me; I was so lost in thought I didn’t hear her coming down the stairs.