27. Stella

Chapter Twenty-Seven

STELLA

Aside from everything else happening in my life, there was Hudson. I was trying to keep him in a compartment in my mind and heart, but it was a challenge.

Every night, I went home. To Hudson . I was tumbling deeper and deeper into the heat of our connection. I tried to convince myself it was just chemistry. Every time, my heart chirped up and pointed out the obvious. You’re falling in love with him.

For reasons I didn’t completely understand, we didn’t talk to each other much beyond the superficial. And yet, I found myself wanting to confide in him, to tell him about Parker. Realistically speaking, he likely knew Parker. They were both firefighters. That made me more reticent about it. It felt as if I could keep my personal details at a distance, then I wouldn’t fall in love.

That alone should’ve prepared me for just how messy things could get.