“Well, yeah,” I admitted shyly.
He pressed me gently onto my back and leaned over me, his face splitting into an ear-to-ear grin.“How many?”
“I don’t know—two?”Growing up as an only child had been lonely, and I didn’t want that for my kids.Seeing how close Hudson was to his siblings, I wanted that for our family.
“Can I convince you to go for three?”He raised a brow.“Maybe four?”
“Let’s start with one and see how far we get, Romeo.”I swatted at him playfully.
“The first one’ll be so beautiful, we won’t be able to stop.”He leaned over to kiss my neck.“Think we’re going all night, darlin’,” he rasped as he settled between my legs.
One thing was for sure—when we were ready to start a family, we’d have the practice down pat.
Chapter 19
“No brownies tonight?”I grinned at Greta two days later.My friend looked gorgeous in a green blouse that brought out the color of her eyes as we stood at a high-top table at the cocktail bar I’d been meaning to check out since moving to town.
She had a penchant for bringing baked goods wherever she went.
“I figured I’d buck that trend for once.”She smirked as Katie sidled up to us with a fresh drink, looking beautiful in a black halter top.“Who knew girls’ night out would be my first excuse in ages to get at least a little dressed up?”She raised her glass in a toast.
“Hey, I didn’t say anything about having to get fancy,” I defended.
She offered a reassuring smile.“Honestly, we don’t have many excuses to get dressed up.Half my wardrobe is gathering dust.This is like a coming-out party for my nicer clothes.”
“Did you burn everything from the DC fundraising days?”Daphne asked as she sipped her drink, free of Jo for once.
“That’s a solid idea,” I mused with a laugh.“But no, I left more than half of it in DC.And what I did bring with me, I think I should donate.Most of it was only worn once at best, and none of it was my style.Someone could get really good use out of those dresses.”
“You could give that fabric—and maybe someone who wears it—a fresh start.”Katie clinked her glass with mine before her eyes lit up.“You should make sure you have time for shopping in New York, refresh that wardrobe.There are some incredible vintage shops.”
“I’d love to.”I nodded, having already had the thought myself.Hudson would be tied up for some of the time we were away, and I didn’t mind entertaining myself by exploring the streets of New York.
“Are you nervous at all?This is new territory for you,” Daphne noted.
“A little,” I admitted.“There’s only so much preparing you can do for something so unfamiliar.I swear, Hudson has run through the security plan like ten times.You would think I was the Queen.But honestly, I’m looking forward to seeing him on stage.”
“He’s an incredible performer,” Greta said.“Just prepare for the screaming and the women throwing themselves at him.It took me off guard when we saw him in Denver last year.To me, he’s local boy Hudson.It was a bit of a shock to see him in that environment.But he handled it like the pro he is, even if I thought some of those chicks were going to die at the very sight of him.It was wild.”
“Well, they’re not going home with him.”I shrugged.I couldn’t say how I’d feel in the moment, but honestly, the thought of other women ogling my man didn’t bother me all that much.I was pretty damn confident that he was downright obsessed with me.It was an affliction we shared.
Daphne bit back a notable yawn at my side.I raised a brow in question.“Is Jo at least sleeping a little better?”
She nodded.“Yeah, I’m the one who isn’t sleeping great,” she admitted, her gaze downcast.
Now wasn’t the time to push, but I’d sensed for a few weeks that something else was going on with Daphne, aside from the standard single-parent exhaustion.
“Is Griff taking Ranger?”Daphne asked, clearly wanting to shift the attention off herself.I’d allow her that, for now.
“Yeah, Griff’s dogs and Ranger are like their own pack, so he’ll be happy over there.”
“Ranger is so your dog too, you’re so cute,” Greta squealed.“You and Hudson are on the fast track to the altar, and I love it for you both.”
“I don’t know about the altar,” I amended, though the idea of marrying Hudson was a daydream that took up frequent residence in my head these days.“But we did move fast.Honestly, neither of us seemed able to stop it—or were even inclined to.It was just… right.”
“Obviously.”Daphne nodded in support.“I’m just shocked you don’t have a full farm by now.”
“My restraint is impressive.”I nodded sagely as they all laughed.“And I will get to that at some point.For now, I want to be able to go on the road with Hudson when he starts his tour.Then we’ll see what things look like.