But Hudson’s return had brought memories so vivid, ten years felt more like ten days. She found herself recalling every detail of the time they’d shared, from the first time he brushed his lips against hers to the moment she knew she was falling in love. But she also remembered the ride back to Chicago that August afternoon and the nights she’d spent crying herself to sleep. Had it really all been over some terrible misunderstanding?

Not that it mattered now. Hudson was Allie’s past. Julian was her future. They might not share the same blazing passion she felt when she was with Hudson, but it was safe. It was smart. And there was certainly nothing about being with Hudson Chase that was safe. Or smart. The feelings he’d awoken in her ten years ago had been like a wildfire, hot and all-consuming. But in the end she’d been burned and no high was worth that low. Calm and steady had suited her just fine since then, and that was exactly what she had with Julian. They were compatible, they were content.

Everything was exactly as it should be.

Then why couldn’t she get Hudson Chase out of her mind? She’d hoped his appalling behavior would have gotten him out of her system, but it had been almost two weeks since she’d left him standing in the middle of the zoo, and so far nothing had changed.

“Hel-lo, earth to Alessandra . . .”

Oh God, not again.

“So what do you say, girls’ night?”

Allie took her aggravation out on her lunch, stabbing a piece of grilled chicken with her fork. “I can’t.”

“Why not? Mr. Fancy Pants is out of town, isn’t he?”

She shot Harper a look, then nodded. “He left for New York today.”

“Then let’s go out. We haven’t been out for drinks since . . . well, since you got engaged.”

“I know, and I promise I’ll make it up to you.” Allie saw her friend raise a skeptical brow and quickly added the word “soon” to the end of her sentence. “But you wouldn’t believe the box my mother dropped off at my condo. Fabric swatches, pictures of floral arrangements, cake designs—”

Harper’s head snapped up from her salad. “Oh, count me in on the cake tasting.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and Allie noticed for the first time that her earrings didn’t match. For a moment Allie wondered if it had been an oversight until she realized they were both the same emerald-green as her ballerina flats. It was an odd combination paired with her navy print dress, but on Harper it worked.

“I’m not sure there will be time for a tasting. The note in the box said she needed my selections ‘immediately, if not sooner.’”

Harper’s phone vibrated on the table. “Shit,” she mumbled as she read the incoming text.

“What’s wrong?”

“One late package and you’d think the world was ending.” She reached for her bag. “And apparently I’m the only one in our office capable of tracking a blasted cardboard box. Must be why I get paid the big bucks.” She laughed at her own joke as she dug a twenty out of her wallet. “Sorry to rush off.”

“Don’t worry about it, I have my Kindle. I’ll just read a bit while I finish eating.”

“Kindle, eh?” She stood up, slinging her messenger bag over her shoulder. “Must be pretty juicy.”

Allie couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “No, just convenient.”

Palms out, Harper raised her hands in an expression of innocence. “Hey, no judgment here. Nothing wrong with a little smut.”

Allie’s breath caught. Hudson was suddenly standing behind Harper along with three other men. All four were dressed impeccably in dark, custom-tailored suits, but it was the sight of Hudson, in a light blue tie that perfectly matched his eyes, that made her mouth go dry.

“Ladies,” he said with a slight nod of his head. His smooth, deep voice startled Harper and she jumped. Within seconds her face was as red as her hair.

Hudson turned to his colleagues. “Everything sounds good. I’ll be in touch,” he said, effectively dismissing them before shifting his gaze to Allie. Her nipples hardened under the heat of his stare. Damn it. She crossed her arms over her ivory sheath dress, hoping he hadn’t noticed. Yeah, fat chance.

Harper looked back and forth between the two of them for a second. “Alrighty then, I guess I’ll see you back at the office.” She took a step behind Hudson and fanned herself in an exaggerated motion. He glanced over his shoulder and she stopped midfan, quickly turning the gesture into a wave and flashing him a broad smile before ducking out the door.

“What do you want, Hudson?” Allie asked the moment they were alone. “Was there some insult you forgot to hurl at me the other day?”

“Actually, Alessandra, I wanted to apologize.” He motioned to the empty chair. “May I?”

She nodded, completely caught off guard. An apology was not what she was expecting.

He took a seat, rubbing his hand over the stubble on his jaw. “Discussing the past triggered something.” His inner asshole. “Unsettled business, and I was looking to burn off my edge. Not to mention, I have a tendency to be too direct at times.”

“Obviously a lot was left unresolved between us ten years ago,” she replied stiffly.

“Doesn’t excuse my predisposition for behaving badly.”

Not giving him so much as an inch, Allie leaned back in her chair, keeping her arms crossed over her chest. “No, it doesn’t.”

He cleared his throat. “I should have never implied—”

Holding up a hand, she cut him off. Despite the satisfaction she was getting from watching him swallow the lump of pride in his throat, and as much as he deserved to choke on it, deep down Allie knew that Hudson Chase didn’t really believe she was a whore. Certainly no more than she thought he was the type of man to call her one. “I think we’ve both said and done quite a few things we regret.”

“I can be a rude son of a bitch.” Sincerity burned in his bright blue eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry, too, Hudson.” There were so many ways she could have finished that sentence. I’m sorry I didn’t have the guts to tell my parents about us. I’m sorry we never had the chance to say good-bye. I’m sorry I never told you how much you meant to me. For a moment she just stared at him, willing him to know all she’d never dare say out loud, all that time had made irrelevant. “I’m sorry for the way I behaved on the boat. No one deserves to be treated that way.”

He cocked a lopsided grin. “Not even bitter assholes?”

Allie saw a glimpse of the boy she once knew and couldn’t help but return his smile. “No, not even bitter assholes.”

The waiter approached and reached for Allie’s plate. “Are you finished, ma’am?” She nodded and he cleared the remains of her interrupted lunch. “Can I bring you anything else?” The question was addressed to both of them, but she was surprised when Hudson placed an order.

“Coffee. Black,” he said. “Would you like anything, Alessandra?”

“I’d love a cappuccino. Decaf please, with skim milk, extra foam. Oh, and hold the nutmeg, but I will take cinnamon if you have it.” As the waiter turned to leave she noticed the look on Hudson’s face. “What?”

Grinning, he shook his head “You, Alessandra.” His gaze lingered for a moment before he straightened, flattening his tie with a sweep of his hand. “Living in the same zip code, we’re going to run into each other. Case in point. It would suit us both to maintain a level of civility.”

“We’re not off to the best start, are we?”

He chuckled. “No. But keep it to yourself, this soft side. It’s taken me a long time to cultivate the tough-guy act.”

“Is that a sense of humor, Mr. Chase?”

“A man in my position isn’t afforded much of one, but it’s in there somewhere.”

The irony of his statement wasn’t lost on her. “Must be the only thing you can’t afford. Chase Industries has quite an impressive portfolio.”

“How proficient you are with Google, Miss Sinclair.” He raised a brow. “Checking up on me?”