Page 78 of Out of the Dark

“I never wanted to move on,” Hutch admitted as he wrapped his arms around me. “I was lonely, and she was just a warm body.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “She served me with divorce papers while I was in the hospital. Can you believe that?”

I could, because Madison was a horrible person, but I kept that part to myself. “I’m sorry.” I squeezed myself closer against his frame.

“She doesn’t plan on fighting for custody of Hazel.”

What do you say to something like that? That woman was a horrible human being. When I looked up at Hutch again, he was looking down at me with love in his eyes. Not anger, hate, or sadness, just the love that I had missed for the past couple of weeks.

“Saturday night.” He smiled, and my heart stuttered in my chest. I had never felt so many emotions at once in my life. After everything that had happened between us, he still wanted me, and I still wanted him. “Wear something comfortable,” he added.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

Hutch only shook his head. “It’s a surprise, but I have a feeling that you’re going to like it,” he added with a wink. “I’ll pick you up at six if that’s okay.” He held me closer to his body, and I caught the scent of his soap, taking me back to the first time I slept in his bed after he kissed me under the fireworks.

“Okay,” I whispered.

Chapter Thirty-One

Hutch

Saturday night seemedto take forever to get here, but when it finally rolled around, I was a nervous wreck. I felt like this was our first date all over again. It wasn’t like Jillian and I hadn’t seen one another during the week, but this, this felt different. She had come by a couple of times for lunch, bringing me an egg salad sandwich, an apple, and a granola bar just like the old days, but we had kept it casual. We held hands under the table, but we didn’t kiss or hug or anything because we knew how fast gossip spread in town. It was bad enough how much people were talking about what had happened to me. I didn’t need them dragging Jillian into the mix and thinking she was the reason for my divorce with Madison. That part was all on me.

And, of course, there were the text messages.

Jillian:You won’t tell me where we’re going?

Hutch:Nope.

Jillian:Not even a little hint? Even if I send you a boob pic?

Hutch:Jilly, that’s not fair! But a boob pic would be much appreciated because I do miss them more than you can imagine.

Jillian:Not if they won’t get me intel on our date.*frowny emoji*

Hutch:I have missed you more than you know.

Jillian:Me too, baby.