Hudson leaned against the counter near her chair. “Because Jaxon chose baseball over football and because Braden was too smart and not athletically inclined.”
She drew a deep breath and nodded. “Yeah. And he basically left me alone. But this is about you. Are you okay?”
“Yes. He’s only getting to me because I need something from him, but we can talk about that on the way to New York. Right now I’d rather forget about my old man if that’s okay with you.”
“It is.” Because he’d promised to fill her in, she had no problem letting the subject go for now.
“Do you want to bail on me now?” He drew himself up straighter as if waiting for the blow.
She grasped his hands with her fingers. “Considering how I was raised and the athletes I deal with on a daily basis, do I look like a woman who can’t handle a difficult man?”
His easy grin returned. “I forgot who I was dealing with. You can handle anything and anyone.”
Apparently they weren’t including the incident with Jimmy last night, for which she was grateful.
She grinned. “I certainly can. And that includes you.”
He tipped his head back and laughed. “If I didn’t mention it, the wedding is formal.”
“Got it.” She’d have to go dress shopping. Of course, she had a long gown or two in her closest she could wear, but she’d rather buy something new for the occasion. Something that made a statement and had her date drooling. “I take it that means you’re wearing a tuxedo?”
He nodded.
Which meant she’d be doing some drooling of her own.
* * * *
The next morning, Bri walked into her favorite boutique and was immediately surrounded by gorgeous dresses in stunning colors and varying hues. Some sparkled, others glittered, and many were solid, the designs speaking for themselves.
Hudson had texted her a general itinerary for the weekend, which included a family dinner Friday night at his parents’ house, no wedding obligations since he wasn’t part of the bridal party, and the wedding would take place on Saturday evening. Since Bri had appropriate clothing for the night with his parents and the rest of the weekend was casual other than the event itself, she didn’t need to shop for anything else.
She’d asked where they were staying and made a Glam Squad appointment for hair and makeup, and Hudson had promised to disappear from the room while she got ready. Her entire point was to look spectacular, and she hoped he liked and appreciated the end result.
She was perusing the dresses, waiting for her best friend and sister-in-law, Macy, to arrive and help her choose. She’d met Macy at an exercise class in their local gym, and they’d been friends ever since. She’d also married Bri’s brother Jaxon in what started out as a marriage of convenience and ended up with them head-over-heels in love. So now Bri had her best friend as her sister-in-law, and she loved that Macy was family.
A bell rang, indicating someone had entered the store, and Bri glanced up to see Macy walking toward her. Because she owned a website design business and worked from home, Macy could make her own hours, and Bri’s last-minute request to shop wasn’t a problem for her.
“I’m here, but I still don’t know why you need a formal dress.” Macy, her hair pulled up in a casual bun, wore a pair of leggings and a floral tunic top and looked relaxed and happy, a far cry from the panicked woman she’d been when she’d married Jaxon to help her keep custody of her teenage sister.
Bri held up a raspberry-colored gown with what looked like silver clasps on the tops of the shoulders. “Because I’m going to a wedding in Manhattan this weekend. Oh, and I also need shoes, so plan on a long day. Does this color go with my complexion?”
Macy shook her head. “I don’t love it. Let’s keep looking. And don’t keep me in suspense. This has to be a last-minute trip or you’d have mentioned it sooner. Not to mention have already gone shopping. So what’s going on?”
Her friend knew that Bri rarely dated and wasn’t big on one-night stands, either, so this news would come as a shock. One she’d wanted to tell Macy in person because it would lead to a long conversation, and Macy had been in a rush when Bri had called her to make plans. She’d only had time to tell her the story about falling and hurting her hands before they’d agreed on a time to meet.
She figured she might as well start at the beginning. “Hudson and I kissed. Twice.”
“What?” Macy’s raised voice caused other customers to turn around and an uppity saleswoman to frown at them.
Bri grinned, ignoring the woman. “After I fell outside the clinic, I couldn’t stand up in my heels. Hudson carried me inside and took care of my palms. I thanked him, one thing led to another … and we kissed, but Braden interrupted us.”
“That must have gone over well.” Macy’s voice dripped sarcasm because she knew how protective the Prescott brothers could be. “And the second time?” she asked.
“Yesterday at my house. He came by to check on me and brought medical supplies to bandage my palms.”
Although he’d wrapped her hands again, before he’d left, he’d shown her the large bandages she’d have an easier time applying on her own, and she’d put the less obvious dressing on her hands today. At night he’d instructed her to let the wounds breathe and leave them uncovered.
“He asked me to be his plus-one this weekend at a family wedding, and after I agreed, we kissed. Again.”
Macy let out a low whistle. “A family wedding? Isn’t that like making a serious statement or something?”
She shook her head. “No. In this case it’s more like he’s letting his family know he’s living his own life and to back off, don’t matchmake or pressure him to come home in any way.”
“Aah. And what does his invitation say to you?” Macy asked. “Or better yet, what does your agreement say to him? Is this a serious thing?” Macy’s question was a valid one.
Bri’s feelings about dating and being used or hurt hadn’t changed, but she couldn’t deny the flutters in her stomach when she so much as thought about Hudson, either. She also understood he needed her as a buffer with his family, but she knew that going in, which made the situation understandable, and there were no feelings of being exploited for her connections or used in any way. She liked the idea of helping him out and making this weekend easier for him.
“Well,” Bri said, picking up a sleek long black dress. “I don’t know Hudson’s views on relationships, but I know mine. And this is a weekend away with a sexy man and the chance to explore things without all my brothers butting in.” She shrugged. “That’s about as far as I’ve thought things through. In other words, we’re going to a wedding, not getting married. It’s all good.”
Macy smiled. “Well, you’re excited, and that’s enough for me. Now let’s pick a dress.”
They sorted through the possibilities and chose some for Bri to try on. There was one large fitting room in the back, and Macy came in with her, talking as Bri tried on one gown after another.
“Do your brothers know about your trip this weekend?” she asked.