Blindsided - Chapter 12

Hours later, Hudson took the elevator to the main level of his apartment complex. He needed to be at his new house to have a new alarm system put in.

When the steel doors whooshed open, he exited and nodded at a few people waiting to get on. He headed to the lobby.

“How’s it going, Ed?” Hudson said when he strolled past the security desk.

“Oh, Mr. Ross, I was about to call you,” he said, and Hudson slowed to glance back at him. “You have a visitor, sir.” The man nodded toward the large sitting area.

Hudson turned and followed his gaze. At first, he didn’t see a familiar face, but then a woman stood from the white leather sofa and his stomach plummeted to the floor as dread swam through him.

What the hell is she doing here?

As Ally approached, Hudson squeezed his set of keys and didn’t loosen his grip until they started cutting into his palm. He willed himself to stay calm and not make a scene, but he didn’t want her anywhere near him.

And what if she had shown up while Erica was there? He wouldn’t have minded the two meeting, except that Ally’s behavior back in Los Angeles had been a little odd. Then the conversation they’d had months ago proved that she hadn’t moved on. And now this.

Frustration drummed through him. They’d been such good friends growing up, and it bothered him that they could never have that again because she wouldn’t let go of the idea of them being a couple.

Ally’s gaze jockeyed around the large space as she moved toward him, and he took in her appearance. Her hair was pulled back away from her face in some type of bun, revealing dusty rose cheeks against her tawny complexion. 

Even if she was the last person he wanted to see, he couldn’t help but notice how pulled together she appeared in the sleeveless white blouse, gray pants and matching heels. The last time he’d seen her, dark circles and bags had been under her eyes, giving her a sickly look.

He’d been worried about her. His whole family had. But now she seemed like her old self.