Page 98 of Best Kept Secret

Kelsey pulled into the parking lot of Nick’s apartment building and surveyed the scene. She was specifically looking for a charcoal gray Jeep, but she didn’t see it. Since Hudson lived in the same complex, he easily could have walked here, though. When Nick had invited her to Stacy’s surprise party, she’d wanted to ask if he’d invited Hudson too. She wasn’t sure how much Stacy had told Nick about their break-up, though, and had decided not to bring it up. After all, this was Stacy’s party, and Kelsey’s personal problems weren’t invited.

She entered the building and pressed the button for the intercom.

“Who’s there?” Jenna said.

“It’s Kelsey.”

“Yay! Come on in.”

When she reached Nick’s door, Jenna was there to greet her, and she pulled Kelsey into a tight hug. “You made it.”

“Of course. Where else would I be?”

Jenna gave her a consoling look since she’d known Kelsey had been holed up in her apartment, licking her wounds. All week long, Kelsey had debated calling Hudson while secretly wishing he’d call her first. It was immature of her, but she couldn’t help herself. After all, they wouldn’t be in this situation if he hadn’t lied. In her opinion, he still had more groveling to do. Her phone had remained silent, though, and she’d begun to wonder if he’d given up.

Jenna pulled her into the living room, where other friends of Nick’s and Stacy’s were waiting. A quick scan of the room told her that Hudson and Jared weren’t there, not yet, anyway.

“Listen up, everyone. Nick and Stacy should be here very soon. I’ll let you know when it’s time to hide,” Jenna announced.

After the guests resumed their conversations, Kelsey said, “Stacy’s going to hate this.”

Jenna laughed. “She’ll get over it. These are all her friends.”

“But she hates to be the center of attention. You know that better than anyone.”

“It serves her right for scoring a hot young stud for a boyfriend.”

Kelsey laughed. “Jealous much?”

“Just a little.”

“Speaking of hot guys, any new prospects lately?”

“Eh. I’m kind of in a dry spell.”

“No way.”

“Sad but true.”

“I’m sure it won’t last long.”

Then the intercom buzzed, and everyone quieted down as Jenna went to answer it. “Who is it?” she demanded.

“It’s Jared and Hudson,” Kelsey heard her brother say.

The room spun, and she clutched the back of the couch for support.

“Come on in,” Jenna said. Then she turned and gave Kelsey an apologetic look.

Kelsey swallowed hard and shrugged. There was no escaping him. She wasn’t going to leave her best friend’s birthday party whether he was there or not. She would just have to keep her distance, although the small space would make it extremely difficult. She moved toward the window, where several people had congregated, and tried to blend in with them. Still, her eyes remained glued to the front door, where Jenna waited for the men.

Jared came in first, smiling and greeting Jenna before scanning the room. Kelsey hadn’t seen him since the day she’d accosted him at the gym. They’d talked on the phone once, and when he’d questioned her somber mood, she’d blamed it on PMS. Talking “girl stuff” with her had always made him uncomfortable, and he’d ended the call in a hurry. Now he locked eyes with her and smiled.

Then Hudson came into view, looking gorgeous as always in a dark blue polo shirt and faded jeans. It might have been her imagination, but she thought he looked taller and buffer than usual, like he’d been working out extra hard. That’s what I should have been doing too, she thought, glancing down at her figure. She might have gained a pound or two while she’d been wallowing. Chocolate ice cream had become her comfort food in his absence, but she vowed to put a stop to it…soon.

She watched as he greeted Jenna with a warm smile and then scanned the room intently. She started to move behind a guy who easily could have blocked her with his large frame, but then she decided to hold her ground. She couldn’t avoid Hudson forever, and certainly not here in the crowded space.

Her heart pounded rapidly, and her hands began to sweat as he slowly made his way across the room. He stopped a few times to greet people and shake hands while closing the distance between them.