Page 89 of Best Kept Secret
“You mean misery?”
She laughed, but it was gravelly and sounded more like a cackle. He briefly wondered if she was a smoker and, for her sake, hoped not. He’d taken a sudden interest in this woman, yet he didn’t even know her name.
“Sometimes love and misery go hand in hand.”
He nodded. “I’ve discovered that.”
“But it’s all worth it in the end. Trust me.”
Trust. That was the problem. He should have trusted Kelsey with the truth, and then he wouldn’t be standing here talking to this highly intuitive, well-meaning stranger.
“Even though we fought like cats and dogs sometimes, I’d give anything to see my Freddie again.”
“Speaking of names, mine is Hudson.”
“Oh, Hudson. Sounds like a soap opera character’s name.”
He laughed. “Do you watch them?”
“Of course, and I read romance books too.”
“So does Kelsey,” he said, feeling oddly proud of himself for knowing that.
“I know. We exchange books sometimes.”
He could see Kelsey sharing her love of books with her lonely neighbor, and he smiled at the thought of it.
“I didn’t get your name,” he said.
“That’s because I didn’t tell it to you,” she said and laughed again. “I had to make sure I could trust you first.”
There was that word again.
He must have flinched, because she said, “Boy, you must have done something really bad.”
He nodded. “I betrayed her trust, and now she won’t even talk to me.”
“Do you want my advice?”
“Yes, please.” He wasn’t above begging at this point.
“Don’t give up on her. It’s an easy thing to do, but if you really love her, don’t do it.”
Something about the woman reminded him of his late grandmother. She’d been known to impart words of wisdom and advice that sounded more like a scolding. If she were still alive, she’d probably agree with Kelsey’s neighbor.
“You still haven’t told me your name.”
She ignored him and went on talking like he hadn’t even spoken. “She can’t hide forever. Give her some time, but let her know you’re here for her.”
“Here, as in her apartment?”
She shook her head and clucked her tongue. “You still have a lot to learn about women.”
“You’re right about that.”
“I’m right about a lot of things. That’s what I always told my Freddie, even though he didn’t listen.”
He smiled, sensing the affection behind her gruff exterior.
