Page 20 of With This Ring
Hudson glanced around the large open reception hall at the country club. While he’d been invited to his ten-year class reunion here a couple of years ago, he hadn’t bothered attending. He’d been too busy with work, and it felt as if his high school years had been another lifetime.
“What do you think, Hud?”
He turned to Layla, her expression expectant. “I’m sorry, can you repeat that?”
“Do you think this is a nice place for the reception?” She worried her lower lip. “I know it’s pricey, but it’s nicer than the other halls we’ve seen.”
Hudson glanced across the room to where Shane stood with his parents, Patrick and Libby, and his younger sister, Melody, who looked to be around eighteen. They seemed to be analyzing how the lighting coming in from the balcony overlooking the golf course would illuminate the reception. Nearby the banquet manager, Ms. Anderson, and Aunt Trudy discussed options for the menu.
Hudson’s eyes met Layla’s, and the urge to make her happy overwhelmed him. “Is this where youwantyour reception to be?”
She shrugged, but the glimmer in her eyes told him all he needed to know. She angled to her right just as Shane joined them. “What do you think?”
Shane stuck his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “I know you love it, babe, but it’s out of our price range.” He hesitated, then lowered his voice. “In fact, all of the places we looked at were pretty expensive. Maybe we should just get married in your aunt’s backyard.”
“If this is what you really want, I’ll make it happen,” Hudson said.
Layla faced Shane, and an unspoken conversation passed between the couple before she turned back to Hudson. “What if we paid half?”
“Layla—”
“For the thousandth time, you don’t have to pay for everything. You’ve already covered my gown.”
Hudson crossed his arms over his chest, not budging.
Shane frowned at Layla while a tight smile overtook her lips.
“Okay, fine. Thank you, Hudson.” Layla hugged him. “How about we talk about this later?” Then she started toward the banquet manager. “Ms. Anderson, what sort of down payment would you need to hold the date for us?”
Hudson pivoted toward Shane and held out his hand. “I don’t think I’ve had a chance to congratulate you on the engagement.”
“Thanks.” Shane shook his hand, but his expression remained unsure or possibly annoyed. Maybe a little of both?
“The landscaping you did at my aunt’s house is impressive.”
Shane nodded.
“Are you out on your own now or still working for a company?”
He brushed his hand over his neck. “I work for Robertsons’ Landscaping.”
“Oh.” Hudson studied him, and Shane scratched his palm. As they stared at each other, the awkward moments ticked by.
“Hud?” Layla beckoned him to join her by the banquet manager. “Could we discuss the deposit before we go to dinner?”
“Excuse me,” Hudson said, and a muscle ticked along Shane’s jaw. He walked over to his younger sister and retrieved his wallet from his jacket pocket while the banquet manager informed them of deposits and final payments.
After he finalized the deposit, Aunt Trudy sidled up to Hudson. “Are you going to join us for dinner with Shane’s family?”
“Of course.”
She smiled. “This will be fun.”
A short time later, they were all seated for dinner. Hudson had suggested they go to the Grove Grille, one of the fancier places in the area. He had noticed Shane’s scowl when he suggested the place, but Hudson planned to pick up the tab.
“Hudson, I hear you live in Manhattan,” said Libby, Shane’s mother, from across the table. “That must be exciting.”
“Yes, ma’am, it’s a great place to live.” Hudson lifted his water glass and took a sip.