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He likes simplicity in his home if his bedroom is anything to go by. Even in his office…it’s beautiful, gorgeous pieces, an antique desk from the look of it, but it’s all functional, masculine without hitting anyone on the head, and it’s understated. This…is not.
“Who did the room?”
“Someone I hired. I don’t use a lot of the place. Why?”
I shrug. “It’s not you.”
He goes over to a drinks cart that’s straight out of a Gatsby wet dream and pours two drinks and hands me one. I hold it because I don’t know what else to do with it.
“I came here because…I’ve gone and fallen in love with you.” He doesn’t say a word, so I plunge on. “And I never in a million years meant to hurt you or screw up the job you hired me for. That’s why I—”
This time I take a sip of the smooth whiskey and I continue. “I never thought my lies would cause this havoc. The reason I mentioned the lawyer is I demanded the interview and I hope to God I did right. I didn’t open that package you got for me, the one on you, and that wasn’t out of anything other than I didn’t get around to it. And the thing is, I already know all the things that matter about you. When I saw it, I thought it was the updated contract you wanted me to sign.”
“I see.”
I bite my lip. “I know the report you left for me might have contained information, like when you lost your first tooth or the name and address of your first girlfriend, and I know you don’t believe in love. I’m not asking for that back. But I didn’t need to read the report, Hudson, because that stuff, that’s just details. Things anyone can find out. I know you.”
He’s just standing there, like he’s frozen, his expression betraying nothing, his focus completely on me.
So I continue. “You’re a martini with complexity. You’re a good boss and demanding. You work way too much, but you also love it. And…and you have a good heart, Hudson. Otherwise, you’d have made good on your word to finish me and those I love. You don’t speak idly. You have purpose. And you’re funny. You might not get my dumb references, but you know how to laugh and make jokes and poke fun at yourself and I’ve never seen you be mean to anyone, no matter who they are. Okay, me. But I deserved it. And you can dance. You’re a little wild in there, just like the perfect martini. Packing all the right punches in the right way.”
I set the drink down on the delicate side table and I cross the handwoven soft beige and earth-colored rug to the door to the hall.
Still not a word from Hudson and I nod, my heart shriveling up, all the hope gone. He doesn’t need to love me. It’s not a selfish thing, me loving him. It just is. And I’ve said my piece. Except one thing.
“You’re a good man. And I think you believe in love, deep down. Not with me. But I hope you find the right person.”
“Do you?”
I nod again, pressing my lips together, wanting desperately not to cry here. But I’m so close. “I need to go. I thought all of this, what we set out to do, would be easy.”
“Yeah,” he says, putting his drink on the trolley. “I thought so, too.”
“Goodbye, Hudson.”
“You know what?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer. He keeps speaking. “Fuck it.”
“Excuse me?”
“I said fuck it. Fuck the damn Sinclair jewel. Fuck my wounded pride, fuck everything. It’s not worth it.”
“What are you saying?” My head is starting to spin and I grab hold of the doorway.
Hudson starts crossing to me in slow, measured steps. “I’m saying I worked something out tonight. I do believe in love. If it’s you. I’m in love with you, too. And, Scarlett, nothing is worth losing you. Not my stupid pride, not a jewel, not even my piece of the family business and my heritage. Because without you, that’s just meaningless shit.”
He’s in front of me now, so close and the sweet tension that exists between us rises, made sweeter by the singing in my blood and the sudden lightness in my heart. He traces the curve of my cheek with his finger and I sigh, a tear slipping free. One he catches and smooths away with his thumb.
“I want you, Scarlett. You. Your mouthiness and inappropriate comments. The way you think and move and challenge me. I’ve never felt like this before and I’m going to make mistakes. Hopefully not like this one, but I know I will. I’m not infallible. And I need you, too. Since you came and worked for me, life got more interesting, it got better. And I’m always going to be Hudson Sinclair, so I have to say that my work life got better. You have a way of doing things in all walks of life that I need. I’m not good at going outside the box in the way you are. And you don’t have to work for me, but if you could help me train your replacement and then you can do whatever you damn well want. I’m going to need you.”
“You are?”
Hudson smiles slowly. “You’re going to be involved in developing those damn AIs that are going to take over the planet, so I’d like to be by your side.”
I suddenly laugh. “You’re admitting you’re using me as your personal shield?”
“I don’t lie.” His smile fades. “Joking aside, I’m ridiculously in love with you. I never realized it until I thought I’d lost you. Marry me, Scarlett.”
“Yes.”
