Hudson took two champagne glasses from the server and handed one to me. He clinked his glass to mine before taking a swallow. “Except for a few other important people, we’ll be the only ones sleeping here tonight.”
“Hopefully there won’t be much sleeping.” The bare skin between my thighs was aching for the attention it had been promised.
“You’ll pay for your teasing later.”
Just then, the boat launched smoothly into the river. I grabbed Hudson’s arm to adjust to the motion as the crowd erupted into cheers. The place was utter chaos. Definitely not my boyfriend’s usual type of scene. No wonder he’d been anxious.
We made our way up the grand staircase to an upper level, stopping every so often so that Hudson could greet a guest. He introduced me to all of them, sometimes as his girlfriend, sometimes as the promotions manager of his club. I guessed he chose my title depending on how it would benefit me and my career. Always looking out for me.
The next room we ended up in looked like a large living room. A bar curved around the wall and an abundance of couches and armchairs filled the space. A giant flat-screen TV graced one wall. It was turned onto the telecast of the pre-fireworks show though no one seemed to be paying attention. This room was also crowded, but I heard my name called through the buzz of conversation.
I turned toward the voice and found Hudson’s sister sitting on a couch in the corner. She stood as we approached her, and I bent to embrace the petite woman I’d grown to love nearly as much as her brother. It was amazing how tightly she could hug with her pregnant belly between us.
When she released me, I checked out her dark blue maxi maternity dress. “Mira. You look adorable!”
“Ugh, thanks. I feel like a whale.” She reached to give Hudson a hug, which he tolerated. “Hello, brother. Glad to see you back in the States, though you ruined all my amazing planning.”
Before Hudson had shown up at The Sky Launch on Sunday night, I’d planned to fly to Japan and surprise him. Mira had helped make all the arrangements.
“Not that I’m complaining,” she added before Hudson could respond. “You did good. I’m proud of you.”
Hudson glowered at his little sister. He wasn’t the type to accept praise. And Mira was the type to give it anyway.
I decided to come to Hudson’s rescue before Mira could continue. “Did Adam abandon you?” I looked around for her husband.
“Nah, he’s finding me something nonalcoholic to drink. It’s surprisingly difficult.”
“Ah.” More like he was probably hiding from the crowd. Adam was another antisocial member of the family. At least Hudson knew how to fake it.
Mira sat back down on the couch, hitting the spot next to her. “Come. Sit. How did you manage to get a holiday off from the club?”
I shrugged as I took the seat next to her. “I’m sleeping with the owner.”
“Nice.” She shook her head like she was frustrated with herself. “I’m such a dummy! You were supposed to be in Japan. I guess you already got your shifts covered.”
“Yes. David and another manager are covering the next few days.” I should have felt guilty mentioning David. I didn’t. In fact, for some reason I decided to poke at Hudson. “But I won’t be able to count on David after this week.”
Hudson scowled down at me.
“Why?” Mira asked.
I set my empty glass on the end table next to me. “Hudson transferred him to Adora in Atlantic City.”
Mira looked from me to her brother. “Seems like there’s a story there.”
Hudson perched on the arm of the sofa. “You actually have him for two more weeks. I asked him to stay a little longer while we look for his replacement.”
Well, that was news. Good news. It gave me longer to figure out my role at the club.
Mira’s face twisted in confusion. “Look for his replacement? Why Laynie, of course. Duh.”
“Um…” I’d brought it up. I should have been prepared to be put on the spot. I did want the position, and each day I grew more and more comfortable with the idea. But I still wasn’t ready to make the commitment.
She must have read the complexity of the situation in my face. “Another story, I’m supposing.”
“Yeah. Let’s not go there.” I patted Hudson’s knee. “This guy’s cranky as it is. Jet lag and everything.”
“Got it. You look gorgeous, by the way. That’s not one of mine though.” She pursed her lips.
“Whoops.” Pretty much my whole wardrobe these days was from Mirabelle’s boutique, but wanting to be patriotic, I’d chosen a simple red flare dress with a nearly bare back from my club wardrobe.