Chapter One
Gracie
I’m in a celebratory mood as I sip my third appletini and glance around at the sleek modern décor of the lounge. My brother, Hayden, invited me out for a congratulatory happy hour after I completed my first week as Peterson Design"s newest architect. I was all too happy to accept. Free drinks at a posh club in downtown LA? Count me in.
I hadn’t counted on the fact that Hudson Stone, his best friend and business partner—and my lifelong crush—would also be joining us. When he strolls in looking like a walking aphrodisiac, the temperature in the club seems to rise ten degrees and my underarms start to sweat.
He"s as tall, dark, and ruggedly handsome as ever. Despite the slight chill in the early fall air, he"s dressed in jeans and a black short-sleeved T-shirt, which
