It took a second longer than it should have for me to click things into place. “Oh!”
I kicked myself into gear and approached Gwen, my hand extended toward her. “Alayna Withers,” I offered as she shook my hand.
Her grasp was firm. A good first sign for a possible co-manager.
“Nice to meet you.”
She had a good smile too. Nice teeth, not too flirty. Her features were very similar to Norma’s, except lighter. Her skin tone was pale, her hair either dark blonde or light brown depending on the lighting. Her eyes were gray-blue. She was pretty like Scarlett Johansson—the type of pretty that some people might overlook and other people would over-acknowledge.
I wondered which kind of people Hudson was in this instance.
I quickly chided myself for the thought. What was wrong with me? It had been typical for me to be unnecessarily jealous with past boyfriends, but I’d never been that way with Hudson.
Hudson stepped nearer to introduce me more properly. “Alayna’s currently the Promotions Manager at The Sky Launch, but, as I told you, she’ll become the General Manager once the current manager leaves.”
“Hudson told me you’re looking for an Operations Manager.” Gwen addressed me confidently and completely. It was refreshing considering her sister’s knack for forgetting I existed.
I nodded. “Is that something you might be interested in?”
“Definitely.”
A co-manager who worked at Eighty-Eighth. With all the insider information she’d have, plus the experience…I had to admit, Hudson had done good.
And he knew it. Though his face remained businesslike, his eyes twinkled with the pride of a job well done. “She has all the qualifications I believe that you’re looking for, Alayna. Perhaps you want to set up an interview for yourself?”
“Yes. Definitely.” I pulled my phone from my bra. When I unlocked it, Celia’s picture was there, ready to show Hudson. I froze at the sight and another chill ran through me.
“Alayna?” Hudson prompted softly.
“Sorry. Rough day. I’m a bit flustered.” I flipped through my schedule for the next day. I had lunch planned with Mira and Jack, but my evening was free. “Would you be able to come into The Sky Launch tomorrow? I think calling it an interview is a little too formal. I could show you around and we could talk then.”
“Sounds perfect. I’m off tomorrow so I’m wide open.”
It crossed my mind that I should ask why she wanted to leave Eighty-Eighth Floor, but it could wait until we met again. My earlier anxiety was overtaking me and all I cared about was finishing the conversation and getting Hudson to myself. And not for the reasons I usually wanted him alone.
“Great. Then you can come by at eight.” I entered the info into my calendar. “You can see the club when it’s open.”
“I’ll be there.”
“See, Norma?” Hudson winked at his employee. “The kids didn’t need us after all. They worked everything out on their own.”
Hudson’s playful jab at Norma fueled my angst. Why had she been invited to this meeting anyway? Just because Gwen was her sister, Norma didn’t have to be included. And how had Hudson even known that Norma had a sister that managed a club? Were Norma and Hudson closer than he’d led me to believe?
At the height of my obsessive disorder, I suffered greatly from paranoia. Sure, it returned from time to time, but not to any significant extent since I’d met Hudson. Was I being paranoid now or were my questions valid? And if it was just paranoia, why was it returning now?
It was Celia and her fucking mind games getting to me. It had to be that. I couldn’t backslide because of her. Otherwise she’d win and I wasn’t having that. I had to get a grip.
I stepped out of the way while Hudson ushered the Anders sisters out of his office. Mentally I tried to calm myself, taking deep breaths and reminding myself to communicate rather than jump to conclusions. Perhaps I needed to pencil in another group therapy session for later in the week. Anything to end the rising panic.
When we were alone, I couldn’t hold back any longer. “Why exactly was Norma here?” I added a smile and a light tone so that it didn’t come off harsh, but how could it sound like anything other than an accusation?
Hudson locked the door before turning toward me. “She arranged to have Gwen meet with me. I’d never met her and Norma wanted to be here to acquaint us. Why do you ask?”
“Just curious.” I leaned against his desk, needing the support. “How did you know that Gwen worked at Eighty-Eighth?”
He walked over to me in several easy strides. “Norma’s mentioned it.”
“Just in casual conversation. Between a boss and his employee?” I folded my arms in front of me. Not the best pose for remaining aloof.
Hudson put his hands on my elbows. “Alayna, you’re acting unusually jealous. While it’s always a turn-on, I have a feeling it’s a symptom of something else today. What’s going on?”
I shrugged, not wanting to jump into the Celia issue until I’d cleared up the Norma issue. “It just seems strange that you would know such personal details about one employee when you have hundreds—thousands—of people working for you.”
“Hundreds of thousands.”
I didn’t even crack a smile. “Even stranger then.”
Hudson released me and put his hands in his pockets. “What exactly are you asking me, Alayna?”
I already hated myself. The person standing here facing the man I loved was not the person I wanted to be. I didn’t want to question or worry or be paranoid.
But my gut was twisting and churning and the words flew out of my mouth like vomit. “I’m asking why you know personal details about Norma Anders’ family.”
“You’re asking what kind of relationship I’ve had with Norma. The answer is strictly working.”
“Have you ever kissed her?” My voice shook and I had a feeling if I uncrossed my arms, my hands would be trembling as well. My mind was already filling with images of them together. It was crazy what I could conjure up—detailed scenes of passion. The only thing that could possibly stop the flood of imagination would be his assurance that it never happened. Even then, there was a chance the images would remain.
“I don’t make it a habit to kiss people I have working relationships with.”
He’d kissed me when I worked for him. “Yes or no, please?”
“No, Alayna. I’ve never kissed her. I’ve never fucked her. I’ve never anything with her.” His tone was smooth but emphatic.
I returned his level expression even though I was an irrational mess inside.
My seeming composure egged him on. Or he sensed that I was a thread away from falling apart. He ran a hand through his hair. “Since she’s in the Financial Division, Norma handled the transaction when I purchased The Sky Launch so she knew I had the club. The other day she asked if there were any management positions available there. I told her no, but that I’d keep Gwen in mind. I didn’t want to tell you about her because I was afraid if you knew, you’d take that as a reason not to be the manager yourself. It’s as simple as that.”
“That makes sense.” And the slightly manipulative way he kept it from me was totally typical Hudson. In my heart I knew he was telling the truth, but my head—it was in overdrive.
So which did I believe? My heart or my head?
He met my eyes and held my stare for several seconds. “There’s nothing with her, Alayna. I’m with you. Always. Okay?”
My heart. I believed my heart. Always.
This was Hudson. He loved me, even if he stubbornly couldn’t say the words. I trusted him. What had he ever done to tell me otherwise?
I shook my head, ashamed of myself. “I’m sorry. I’m being stupid.”