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“Thank you for everything you did today and leading up to today, Lennon. I don’t think Starr would have been able to handle all this without you.” Mark smiles at me as he guides me effortlessly across the dance floor.

“It was nothing. I’d do it all again to see her as happy as she is right now.” Both of our gazes go to my sister who is currently dancing with Mark’s dad.

“It’s been a perfect day. I know I owe a lot of that to you.”

“You can thank me by making my sister happy for the rest of her life.”

“I can handle that.” He chuckles, giving me a twirl before pulling me back toward him.

It’s about two hours into the reception. Dinner has been eaten, the cake has been cut and served, and the first dances are out of the way. There’s really nothing left to do but enjoy the rest of the evening. And since Emma, my wing woman for the night, dipped out early to go home with her hubby, I’ve been bouncing around mingling for the last several minutes. That is until Mark tagged me for a dance.

“You’re really good for her,” I tell him, noticing for the first time the blue that lines his hazel eyes.

Mark is quite attractive. Clean shaved. Light brown hair, styled short. Nice broad shoulders. Tall.  He’s not Hudson hot (but then again who is) but it’s clear how he managed to catch my sister’s eye. Especially when he smiles. There’s something so genuine and easy about the action that you can’t help but immediately like the guy once he smiles at you.

“She’s really good for me.”

“I’m glad you two have each other.”

“So why don’t you tell me about this Hudson guy Starr can’t seem to shut up about?” He looks down at me with humor in his eyes.

“There’s really nothing to tell. At least not yet. We’re kind of feeling each other out.”

“Are you hoping it will become serious?”

I shrug, not offering an actual response.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” He laughs, his gaze looking over my head for a brief moment.

“It’s strange. I’ve never felt so strongly about someone in such a short period of time,” I admit, not sure why I’m telling my brand new brother-in-law this.

I blame the tequila. Stupid open bar.

“Starr said you invited him tonight.”

“I did.” I sigh. “He couldn’t make it. He’s in Vegas this weekend for a show.”

“You sure about that?”

I don’t have time to even process his statement before my thoughts are interrupted. That deep rasp resonating to the deepest parts of me.

“May I cut in?”

I turn toward the voice, sucking in a sharp breath when my eyes land on Hudson’s dark ones.

“Be my guest,” Mark says seconds before I’m transferred into Hudson’s arms.

“What are you doing here?” I blink up at him in complete and total shock.

“Surprised?” He grins, sliding my arms around his neck as the band starts playing another slow song.

“Very.” I smile when he wraps his arms around my middle and pulls me flush with his body. “But how? I thought you had a show.”

“The show was last night. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to make it because we had a few radio appearances early this morning, but I managed to make it happen. Caught the earliest flight I could. Thank god it wasn’t delayed or I may not have made it in time.”

“I can’t believe you came all this way.” Emotion stings the back of my throat but I swallow it down, refusing to be that girl.

“I would have come a hell of a lot further to see you like this.” He pushes my hair over my shoulder and leans forward. “You look beautiful,” he whispers, his lips connecting with the soft flesh below my ear.

“You don’t look half bad yourself,” I return, loving the dark jeans, button down, and tie he’s rocking.

It’s very Hudson. Simple and yet somehow he makes it look extravagant.

“I missed you.” His admission sends a flutter through my chest.

“I missed you,” I admit, smiling when he pulls back to meet my gaze. “Now shut up and kiss me already.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He purrs seconds before his lips are on mine. It’s soft and very PG, but it still does wonders to my body. Lighting me up from the inside out.

When our lips part, Hudson pulls me closer, my head resting against his chest as he starts to sway slowly with me in his arms.

I don’t realize what song is playing until Hudson’s deep and smooth voice begins singing softly next to my ear. “I don’t dance, but here I am, spinning you round and round in circles.”

It’s one of those moments...one of those perfect moments that you wish you could bottle up and keep with you forever because you’re convinced that nothing will ever be that good again.

“How long can you stay?” Pulling back, my hands run into Hudson’s hair as our feet continue to move in a slow, lazy rhythm.

“My flight for California leaves at six in the morning.”

I don’t even attempt to hide the disappointment that crosses my face.

“If I could stay longer I would.”

“I know.”

“But we have tonight.”

“I still can’t believe you’re here,” I say, shaking my head slightly. “How did you even know where we’d be?”

“You told me last weekend,” he reminds me.

“I did?” I question, not remembering that.

“At the restaurant. After you insisted we do shots of tequila.” He smirks.

“Damn tequila.” My smile widens. “Speaking of which, I think I’m due for a drink. You interested?”

“After the day I’ve had, hell yes.” He lets out a breath like it’s the first real one he’s taken today.

“Come on.” I drop my hold on him and grab his hand, dragging him toward the bar as the band starts to play a more upbeat tune.

“Two shots of tequila,” I tell the bartender.

“And a bud light, please,” Hudson adds, giving me a shrug. “Gonna need something other than tequila tonight, babe.”

“But you love tequila,” I remind him.

“I love the way it tastes on your lips.” He leans forward and sucks my bottom lip into his mouth.

I’m seconds away from tackling him right here when a throat clears behind us. Turning, my entire body freezes when I see my father. I had nearly forgotten where we were or that my entire family is here.

Oh god... I rewind the last few minutes on the dance floor, trying to remember if I had done anything too inappropriate.

“Daddy.” I smile as if everything is perfectly normal.

I feel Hudson straighten next to me but when I glance his way he seems completely at ease.

“You the country star I can’t get these women to shut up about?”

“That depends if what they’re saying is good or bad.” Hudson smiles and my dad chuckles.

“John Claire.” He shoves his hand toward Hudson.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Claire. Hudson Demasi.”

“Please, call me John.”

“Alright, John.” Hudson turns his attention toward the bar when our drinks arrive, picking up his beer and taking a long pull like it’s any other day and he’s not standing here meeting my father for the first time.

How is he so freaking calm?

“I understand you’re on tour right now,” my father continues, seeming to relax almost instantly. It’s Hudson. He has this way of making people feel comfortable.

“Yes, sir.”

“Hard being out on the road?” My dad holds up his empty scotch glass when he catches the bartender’s attention.

“It never used to be. But now I’m finding it near impossible to enjoy.” Hudson’s gaze falls to me.

“Women will do that to you.” My father laughs, reaching across me to retrieve the scotch the bartender set on the bar. “Well, I’ll leave you two be. Thank goodness Nana left already,” he mutters to me, but not quietly enough for Hudson to not hear. “It was nice to meet you, Hudson.”

“You too, John.” They each nod and my father disappears about as abruptly as he appeared.

“Well that was interesting.” I smile, reaching for my shot of tequila still sitting on the bar.

“He seems like a good man.” Hudson turns, picking up his shot as well.

“He is. I just wasn’t planning on introducing you to my family so soon.”

“Is that an issue?” he questions, studying me curiously.

“No. Not at all. Thanks to Starr’s loud mouth they all know about you anyway. I mean, not that we’re...you know.”

“Having sex?” He chuckles at my inability to say it outright.

I choose that moment to tip the glass and pour the liquid into my mouth, swallowing hard as it burns a trail down my throat. Hudson mirrors my actions. Only when he swallows he doesn’t flinch.

“Right. That,” I say, depositing my glass back onto the bar. “They know we’ve hung out a few times and that I really like you. I guess I’m just not sure how to introduce you.”

As if on cue, Starr appears with my mother at her side. Both women are smiling like damn fools.

“Hudson. It’s so great to see you again.” Starr reaches in and wraps her arms around his middle like they’re old friends.

I take this opportunity to snag his beer bottle out of his hand and take a long healthy drink.

“Starr.” He chuckles, not seeming the least bit annoyed by her unwarranted affection.

Of course I know that she just wants her guest to see her hugging a country music star. And while most of them probably have no idea who he is, I’m sure they will by the end of the night. My sister will be blabbing it all over the place, if she hasn’t already.

“Congrats on the wedding. Everything looks amazing,” Hudson offers politely.

“Thank you.” She pulls back and smiles up at him. “Lennon did it all.” Before he has time to respond, Starr turns and nudges my mother forward. “This is our mom, Elise.”

The woman who looks like the older version of myself blushes slightly and I have to bite back a laugh. My mom seems as flustered as I do in his presence. It’s good to see Hudson’s charm doesn’t have an age limit.

“Mrs. Claire. It’s so nice to meet you.” Hudson takes the hand she stretches toward him. “I’m Hudson Demasi, Lennon’s boyfriend,” he says, right as I take another gulp of his beer. I instantly suck it back too fast, ending up having a mini coughing fit.

“You okay, babe?” He turns, dropping an arm over my shoulder.

“Yeah. Wrong hole.” I clear my throat.

“Well I won’t keep you. I just wanted to come say hello. Lennon honey, pace yourself, yes?” my mom says almost scolding.

Clearly she thinks my reaction is because I’ve been drinking. And not because every inch of my body is buzzing with the knowledge that Hudson James Demasi just introduced himself as my boyfriend.

“Yes, mom.” I nod, choosing not to correct her. While yes, I’ve been drinking, I’m nowhere near intoxicated. Maybe more like slightly buzzed. Though I’m not sure if that’s from the alcohol either.

“It was good meeting you, Hudson,” she says, linking her arm through my sister’s.

“You as well.” He smiles nodding at Starr who throws up a little girly wave before allowing my mother to pull her away. “Who are we expecting next?” he asks, seeming quite amused that we’ve been at the bar a total of three minutes and already he’s met both my parents and been mauled by my sister.

“God, no one I hope.” I take another drink of his beer before handing it back to him. “So, boyfriend, huh?”

“You said you didn’t know what to call me. I fixed that. You’re welcome.” He grins, his dimple popping before he drains the remainder of his beer in one long gulp.

“So... I’m supposed to tell people you’re my boyfriend?” I hate how juvenile I sound right now. I’m twenty-seven acting like I’m seventeen.

“Well I am, aren’t I?” He signals the bartender for another beer.

“If you want to be,” I say, trying to play it completely cool while my insides are doing backflips.

“I do.”

“Okay.”

“Then it’s settled.” He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me flush against him. “Should we make it official with a kiss?”

“Oh why not?” I roll my eyes playfully before looping my arms around his neck and pulling his face down to mine.

Like before, the kiss is pretty PG. I get the feeling Hudson is keeping it that way for my parent’s benefit. Which I appreciate. It still doesn’t mean I don’t want to straddle him right here and say fuck whoever chooses to watch.

“Come on.” He smiles at me, snagging my hand. Before I can object he’s pulling me back onto the dance floor.

The band has been playing a string of upbeat tunes but it seems like the second our feet hit the floor they switch to a slow song.

“I thought you didn’t like to dance,” I comment, remembering our first night at the club.

“I didn’t say I don’t like it. I’m just not very good at it.” He smiles, pulling me close before kissing the side of my head.

“You better be careful, Mr. Demasi. You’re attempts at wooing me might be working,” I warn, feeling like I could float away from the high he puts me in.

“Might be?” He chuckles in my ear. “Well I guess I’ll have to work a little harder.” He twists me out, spinning me before pulling me back into his arms.

“Are you trying to make me fall in love with you?” I ask teasingly, even though deep down I know it’s already happening.

“That depends.” He dips his face so he’s eye level with me. “Is it working?”

I’m seconds away from admitting just how well it is working, but fearing I’m getting ahead of myself, I choose to divert from this conversation altogether.

“Shut up and kiss me already.” His eyes light with humor as a hint of a smile plays on his lips.

“With pleasure.”