In general, I enjoy being looked at like man candy. It’s flattering. Even when the onlooker is more than ten years my senior and was once basically engaged to my older brother.
But I’ve learned too much about this particular onlooker and what she’s done to Hudson, and maybe I’m more protective about my family than I realize, because instead of flattered, I feel hostile, and what I really want to do is tell her to fuck off.
Don’t worry—I don’t do it.
“It’s good to see you again,” I say icily, taking Hudson’s lead and keeping my hands to myself. “It’s been a while.”
“Yes. I’ve kept my distance. Haven’t I, Hudson?” She’s trying to goad him, which only makes me more antagonistic.
Hudson is cooler. He responds with a tight smile and doesn’t acknowledge whatever Celia’s referring to. I have a feeling that’s how most of this encounter is going to go.
It’s about now that I expect to be dismissed. I can understand why Hudson doesn’t want me around while she drags up their rocky past. But I was serious when I said I’m staying. I’m tired of being left in the dark, especially where my own business is concerned, and Hudson does owe me the chance to be part of it.
More importantly, though, I don’t want to leave him alone with her. Not that he can’t handle things by himself, I just don’t want him to have to. I have a soft spot for the guy. Don’t tell anyone.
So I’m sure to give him my I’m not going anywhere look when he glances over at me, a look that has never worked where my brother is concerned.
Which is why I’m surprised when he turns back to his guest and says, “Whatever you have to say, Celia, I hope you’re comfortable stating it in front of Chandler because I’d like him to stay.”
Sometimes, man. Sometimes that guy really comes through for me.
The grin I give is quite cocky. “You won’t even know I’m around.”
“Afraid to be alone with me, Huds? I suppose that’s fair.” Her cold smirk sends a chill running through me.
It’s not something Hudson will put up with. Not on his turf. With a no-nonsense attitude, he ignores her dig and asks point-blank, “Why are you here, Celia?”
“So we’re jumping right in then. I suppose it was too much to expect we’d catch up first.” I have a feeling that Hudson has kept close tabs on her. He doesn’t need to catch up. “You’ve changed the décor,” she adds, scanning the room in a way that feels possessive. “Not what I would have done, but I like it. It suits you.”
I promised to be quiet, but I’m about ready to step in and tell her, “You don’t know fuck about what suits my brother, lady.” Except even in my head it sounds lame.
Hudson’s got a better instinct of how to handle the situation. “Why are you here?” he asks again in the authoritative tone he saves for the boardroom.
She lets out a melodramatic sigh. “Can we at least sit?”
Hudson rubs a hand over his chin. “Fine. Sit.” He gestures toward the sofa then waits until she’s sat before taking a seat in his armchair.
I perch on the arm of the loveseat, too anxious to really get comfortable. Somehow I manage to keep my foot from tapping a million beats a minute, but I’m not so sure I can say the same for my pulse.
Hudson remains stoic, and I wonder if he’s as calm inside as he appears. “Out with it, Celia. We don’t have all day.”
With her back straight and her hands resting on her protruding belly, she finally answers. “I have a favor to ask.”
Hudson literally laughs. “That’s ballsy of you.”
“Perhaps. Or perhaps I just know what to say to get your attention.”
“You have my attention. But it’s waning quickly.” His tone says he’s seconds from throwing her out. The awesome thing about my brother is that he’d really do it.
Celia seems to know that as well as I do. “I know you aren’t going to go through with the Accelecom merger.”
“Did your stepdaughter tell you that?”
The hair stands up on my arms at the reference to Genny.
“Genevieve?” Celia asks, surprised. Surprised as in she hasn’t heard shit from Genevieve.
It’s possible Celia’s just a remarkable actress, but I’m taking this as a good sign. Such a good sign that I can’t keep my thoughts to myself any longer. “You aren’t the reason she’s gotten close to me, then? That wasn’t your idea?”
Hudson frowns at my interruption, but he looks with me toward Celia for her answer.
Her brow furrows. “I didn’t even realize you knew each other. Genevieve and I aren’t particularly close. We definitely don’t talk business. If you’ve already told her the merger was a no-go, she didn’t pass it on to me or Edward.”
It stings a bit that Genny hasn’t talked about me, but it’s also in line with what she’s told me. She said she didn’t want her father to know she was with me. It’s possible this is all part of their story, and they’ve both talked at length.
I really don’t think so, though. I don’t want to think so.
“If Genevieve didn’t tell you, then how did you know?” Hudson asks, resuming control of the conversation.
“I know there’s no way you’d hand over the company to my husband. It would contradict the reasons that you bought it in the first place.”
At least the lady isn’t dumb.
Hudson raises an amused brow. “Let me guess—you’re going to try to convince me to give him the job anyway.”