Page 43 of Summer Love

"Not really. I dated one guy, but it wasn't anything serious." I hadn't even thought about Daniel since I'd come home.

"You don't miss him?"

"Not at all."

"What did he say when you told him you were leaving?"

"He tried to talk me out of it, and when it was clear I wouldn't change my mind, he said I was being impulsive. I'd regret my decision."

"He thought you were immature for taking care of your grandmother?" Hudson glanced over at me, and I could see the disgust in his expression.

"My friends were more interested in their salaries, promotions, and investment strategies than family."

"Sounds like you made a good decision to come home."

"My parents are worried about me too."

"How do you feel?"

"You know, I'm loving being home. I missed the island so much."

Hudson reached over, touched my hand, and squeezed.

I followed the movement, not quite believing that he was touching me so easily, as if we were more than friends.

"What you did was admirable."

"Thank you."

He removed his hand, placing it on the wheel. "And fuck your friends in Boston."

My surprised laugh rang out. "I don't think I've ever heard you swear."

"Dad has a strict no-swearing policy at work. I'm not saying we never do it, but we learned early on not to."

I shifted slightly so I could watch his face while he drove. "What if employees swear?"

"He doesn't care about that. He just wants us to make a good impression. Even though we do blue-collar work, we're professionals. We're running a business, and Kingston Construction has a reputation to uphold, a brand, if you will."

"Yeah, I can see that. Your dad is a smart man."

"I went to school for business, but he taught me everything I know."

"You can learn so much more on the job than in a classroom."

Hudson pulled up to his parents' house, which was nestled among the palm trees. It was up on stilts which would protect it from the storm surge of a hurricane.

"What a cute house." It was private, yet I could smell the ocean air, so the beach was close.

"It was a bit small for all of us, but Mom never wanted to move."

"I can see why." It was well-loved too, with freshly painted shutters and potted plants dotting the driveway and sidewalk.

Hudson entered the house without knocking, and I followed him inside. Nerves swirled around me as he took my hand and let me into the kitchen where everyone was already gathered.

His mother came around the counter and hugged me. "You must be Elena. We've heard so much about you."

"I hope it's all good things."

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