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“But what if anything we do makes it even better? Huh? Have you thought about that? Have you even thought about me and you together?”

She turned in my arms, her mouth opening and closing.

“Ah. I see. You haven’t.” I dropped my arms and stepped away.

"Look at you, Hudson. You've grown to be this gorgeous man, how could I not be curious and attracted to you. But it's all so new."

I draped a towel around my waist, securing it low. “Then what do you want, Lace?”

“I-I don’t know.”

“Don’t know or don’t want to see what’s right in front of you?”

“You’re serious,” she gasped.

“I’ve been serious since the moment you walked back into town.”

“So... you’re saying you wouldn’t mind if we spent more time together.”

“I already said I’d help you with the house and help dispel the rumors you faced. I’m just not great at being used for cover long-term. That plan has to have an expiration date, making way for something more. Or not.”

“It started as an idea to shift attention, but now you want more? With me?”

Hell yes, I did. But I also wanted her to want it. I needed to not be some temporary filler until she figured out her life or went back to New York.

I stepped closer. The intensity of the fear in her eyes killed me.“I want something real with you, Lace. But I know it’s a lot to think about. I know I’m finally letting you into my head and where I stand?—”

Suddenly, my phone rang. The ringtone playing Travis Tritt's old song, Trouble, told me that it was the fire station. About the only reason they’d call me on my day off was if they had a major situation and needed all guys on hand.

“That’s the station calling me with an emergency.” I picked up my shorts and pulled out my phone, glancing at the message. “Oh, fuck.”

“What is it?” She stepped closer.

“It’s your house, going up in flames.”

13

SMOKE AND TEARS

LACEY

We weren’t even fullyout of the truck when I saw the flames. My entire body went numb.

My house was engulfed in an angry orange glow, thick smoke curling toward the sky like some monster had clawed its way out through the roof.

“No, no, no!” I flung open the door and ran toward the burning structure, screaming.

Strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind, lifting me clean off the ground before I could get too far.

“Lacey! You cannot go in there.” Hudson’s voice was thick with command. “It’s not safe.”

I kicked and fought him, finally sobbing against his chest as he held me still. “That house—everything in it—it’s all I had left of her.” I turned and bawled into his shirt.

He cradled the back of my head, pressing his forehead to mine for a brief second before kissing it and pulling away. His face tightened as a car roared up beside us. “Mama’s here. Go to her. Please.”

“No—Hudson, don’t leave me.”

But he handed me off, pushing me gently but firmly toward Mama Goodson, who looked every bit the strong matriarch in charge.