“That’s where you’re wrong, Hudson.” Her voice was soft, but the unwavering conviction was clear. “Your mother obviously had problems that ran far deeper than this, but Nick certainly doesn’t blame you. In case you haven’t noticed, he thinks you hung the moon.” She gave him a small, reassuring smile. “And from what you’ve told me about your dad, I imagine the last thing he would want is for you to be putting yourself through this hell.” Allie rested her free hand on the back of Hudson’s neck, her fingers stroking through the damp hair at his nape. “You have to forgive yourself.”

He frowned. “Easier said than done.”

They were quiet for a few moments before Allie broke the silence. “Thank you.”

He met her gaze with questioning eyes. “For what?”

“For trusting me enough to let me in. I want to share everything with you, Hudson, the good and the bad. And I want to help you work through this, but I’m not a professional. Will you at least consider talking to someone about this?”

He let out a resigned sigh. “I’ll consider it. For you.”

Allie knew he needed to seek help for himself, not just because she wanted him to. But she also knew it had been a huge step for him to open up to her, and that considering therapy was an even bigger leap. For that she was profoundly grateful. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me.”

The look that flashed in his eyes told her he was back from the darkness. “Enough to drop this whole sex embargo?” he asked, cocking a lopsided grin.

“Not a chance.” She laughed, then her expression softened. “But I’d like to stay here with you for a bit if you don’t mind.”

Hudson smiled as he pulled her to lie next to him on the couch, her back to his front. “I thought I made myself clear last night,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “I want you to stay with me forever.”

Chapter Eighteen

Allie squinted at the clock above the fireplace mantel. The bright light filling the room told her it was at least late morning, but still, she hadn’t expected both hands to be pointing to the twelve. Normally she didn’t sleep half the day away, but the past few weeks had obviously taken their toll. And talking with Hudson in the middle of the night had brought her a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in a very long time. There was still so much that was unresolved, but the last barrier had fallen. They were a team, and they would face their obstacles together, head-on.

Beside her, Hudson stirred in his sleep and his arm tightened around her waist. Allie closed her eyes and relished the feel of his body pressed along the length of hers. Lying next to him in that sleepy fog that hovered just at the brink of consciousness was one of her favorite ways to start the day. And this wasn’t just any day. It was her wedding day.

Her wedding day.

The last remnants of sleep vanished instantly and Allie bolted upright. Her hands flew to cover Hudson’s face. “Don’t open your eyes.”

Hudson groaned and a sleepy smile curved his lips. “I do have blindfolds for this kind of thing, Alessandra,” he said, his voice thick with sleep. “Although I’d prefer if you were the one wearing it.”

Allie rolled her eyes even though she knew he couldn’t see her. “That’s not what I meant. I don’t want you to see me.”

He chuckled. “I promise to still marry you despite your bedhead.”

“Funny, Chase. But unless you want to postpone the wedding to another day, keep your eyes closed. It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony.”

“You’re not seriously subscribing to that superstition, are you?”

“Given our track record, I’m not taking any chances. We need all the good mojo we can get. So do we have a deal?”

“Far be it for me to mess with mojo.” He smiled beneath her hands. “I will keep my eyes closed. You have my word.”

Allie slipped from the couch and scurried to one of the guest bedrooms. Once she was locked safely inside, she called out to him. “All clear.”

A moment later there was a tap at the door. “How long do you plan on staying in there?” Hudson asked from the other side.

“Well, that depends. How long until the ceremony?”

“Four hours.”

“Then I plan on staying in here for four hours.”

A deep laugh vibrated from the other side of the door. “No need. I have a few last-minute arrangements to see to. Give me a few minutes and then the place is all yours.”

“Arrangements? What are you up to?” But from the other side of the door came only silence. After what seemed like an eternity, she heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs and a clatter of dishes in the kitchen.

What the hell is he doing?

Her answer came in the form of a note slipped under the door.

Lunch is in the kitchen and a bath is waiting upstairs.

Meet you at the altar.

—H

Meet me at the altar? What altar?

“Hudson?” She waited a few minutes, and when no reply came, cracked the door open to find . . .

Nothing. No sign of Hudson, but also no further explanation. There was, however, a lovely lunch of fruit and cheese and crusty bread arranged on the kitchen island, along with a can of her favorite sparkling water. Seemed her fiancé had thought of everything. As for the rest of the arrangements, she just had to trust that all would be revealed when the time came.

Allie made herself a small plate of food and took it with her to the master suite. As promised, a bath had been drawn, and judging by the delicious scent that filled the air, jasmine and vanilla scented oils had been added to the water. The two-sided fireplace that separated the bathroom from the bedroom had been lit, and a cluster of candles flickered atop the slate tiles that ran along the tub’s edge.

In almost no time Allie’s clothes were in a pile on the floor and she was soaking in the oversize copper tub. The warm water felt like heaven on her sore muscles, and before long the aches she’d incurred from a night spent sleeping on a couch began to fade. She rested her head against the edge of the tub and closed her eyes. Thoughts of the evening to come filled her mind, and she smiled. Before the night was through, Hudson would be her husband. They would exchange rings and vows as they pledged their lives to each other.

Her eyes popped open. While she was confident Hudson would have provided his and hers wedding bands, the subject of vows hadn’t been discussed. Would they be repeating traditional vows after the minister or would they be reciting their own? Deciding to be better safe than sorry, she sat up in a rush, sending water sloshing over the side of the tub, and reached for a towel.

Telling Hudson how she felt about him was going to be the easy part; keeping it to a reasonable length would be the challenge. As she wrapped herself in a white, fluffy robe, she began to laugh. This was her stress—writing vows that didn’t drag on until dawn. The contrast to her previous foray into wedding planning was so extreme it was comical. And for the hundredth time that day she knew she’d made exactly the right decision.

Despite her initial reaction to the contrary, she loved the idea of eloping. From the moment they’d met, there had been forces at play keeping them apart. After all they’d been through, all they’d overcome and still had yet to face, it made perfect sense to start their lives together on their own terms.

And the location Hudson had chosen was perfect. He was right—this was where she knew with all certainty that she loved him. They would no doubt marry again for the sake of family and friends, but she loved the idea that their first vows would be spoken at a place that meant so much to both of them.