Page 25 of Summer Love

I grinned, relaxing at their jovial tone.

Cooper moved over and motioned for me to sit next to him. When I did, Hudson sat next to me. There wasn't a lot of room, so his thigh rested against mine. I tried to draw in a deep breath when Shepard asked, "Where have you been hiding all my life?"

"She was in my grade in school," Hudson said.

"I grew up in the new development." I didn't live close to them, but it was a small island.

"I can't believe this guy didn't date you back then, or did he?" Shepard gave Hudson a pointed look.

"Definitely not," I was quick to say.

"I didn't even know her in high school," Hudson added.

Shepard raised his eyebrows as if he didn't believe him. "I knew all the beautiful women in my grade."

"Shep. Behave," Hudson said firmly, and I wondered if he was used to keeping his brothers in line.

Cooper bumped shoulders with Shep. "Yeah, behave."

Hudson inclined his head toward me and lowered his voice, "They still act like children."

I giggled.

"Hey, stop keeping her to yourself. We're supposed to be getting to know her better," Cooper said.

"What do you want to know?" I asked them.

"Have you lived here all your life?" Dalton asked.

He seemed quieter than the others, more introspective. "I went away for college and just returned to spend more time with my grandmother."

Dalton's brow furrowed. "Is she doing okay?"

"My parents were worried about her living on the island alone. So far, she seems to be doing okay. I think she enjoys the company," I said.

"I bet," Brady said.

"I'm going to rebuild her porch, and I might need your help," Hudson said.

"You know you can count on us," Shep said.

"Are you guys always there for each other?" I asked.

Cooper shrugged. "We're all we got. Our sister is here and there, but we always have our brothers."

Shep leaned forward. "Tell us more about this story you're writing."

"I'm following the hottest bachelor on the island around to get to know him better."

His brow furrowed. "I can't believe Hudson was named the hottest bachelor on the island. I think I'm going to need to see the polling results."

I laughed. "There wasn’t a poll. My boss seems to think that the Kingston brothers are the hottest bachelors on the island.”

Shep raised a brow at Hudson. "See? I knewyoucouldn't be the most eligible bachelor."

"Your dad insisted I shadow Hudson." I glanced over at him.

"Because he's the most responsible?" Cooper asked.

---