Page 26 of Hudson

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Blair slammed the door so hard the brass knocker rattled against the oak. “Men. They simply do not have enough blood in their bodies to think with both heads.”

She glared at the door, then yanked it open and slammed it again. The bang echoed through the house. That felt better. She twisted the deadbolt, stormed across the living room and sank into the sofa cushions, snatching her phone from the coffee table. Nine-thirty. Early for a Saturday night.

She called Celine.

“Don’t tell me you’re home already,” Celine said, surprise threading her voice.

“Okay. I won’t tell you I’m home already.”

“Uh oh. What did he do?”

Blair took a slow breath and launched into the whole disaster. Celine’s laughter caught her off guard.

“What’s so funny?”

“You two. It sounds like it’s going to be a very hot relationship.”

“There is no relationship. He’s way too cocky.”

“Blair, he’s a man. Of course he was going to try. It’s what they do.” A pause, then softer, clearly toKillian nearby, “Sorry, baby.”

Blair’s lips curved despite herself. “I’m sure Killian pulled the same thing with you.” She sighed, the fight going out of her. “I get it. But he seemed like he just expected it. Like it was a given. And I’m sorry, not on a first date. Not with someone I barely know.”

“He did come back and apologize though. You accepted it, and then you turned around and asked him how many women he’s slept with. Blair.” Celine’s tone was gentle but pointed. “Give him another chance. If he acts like this again, drop him. But you’d be crazy to walk away before you find out what this could be.”

Blair was quiet for a moment. “I’ll think about it.” She pushed herself up from the sofa. “I’m going to take a hot bath and go to bed and forget all about Hudson Anderson.”

Celine laughed. “Sure, you will. Night. Love you.”

“Love you too.” Blair ended the call and stared at the blank TV screen. “Damn man.” She got to her feet and headed upstairs.

Monday morning, she entered the office, hung up her sweater and logged in. It had been a nice weekend weatherwise, but this morning still carried a chill.

“Good morning.” Meridith waddled in, one hand pressed to the small of her back.

“Good morning. How was your weekend?”

“Great. What about yours? You had that date.”

“Not that great.”

“Oh no. I was hoping it would be.”

“You and me both.” Blair shook her head. “It’s a long story and right now I’d rather not think about it.”

“I’m sorry. You were so excited.”

“I’ll tell you later. Right now, I need to get thecharts ready.”

“I’ll get things set up out here.”

Blair nodded and got to work. She’d spent most of Sunday sitting around the house turning it over in her mind. Hud was a good man, she knew that. A lot of men would have tried the same thing. But she had never been the kind of woman who fell into bed with someone just because he was handsome and the evening had gone well. She needed to feel something real first.

“Good morning, ladies.” Dr. Workman came through the door, shrugging off his coat.

“Good morning,” Blair and Meridith said together.