Page 75 of Summer Love

I smiled softly. "I want to stay on the island. I want to see you every day."

"And?"

My heart rate picked up. "I want this thing with Hudson to be real."

"You can't wish something into existence. You can just follow your intuition and trust you're on the right path. The one that's meant for you."

"I'm not sure it's made things clearer yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday."

Grams nodded. "I'm confident that you'll find your way. There was a reason you came back."

"That was for you."

She arched a brow. "Are you sure about that? Maybe I was just the excuse you needed, and the universe had other plans."

Before I could formulate a response, Grams stood up and went into the kitchen, presumably to make tea. I watched the men work, how easily they worked together, talking and joking. Someone had turned on a radio, and rock music blared.

I closed my eyes and tried to focus on my center. How did I know where my intuition was? Was it the feeling in my gut? A knowing in my head?

I took a deep breath, grounding myself in the moment. The feeling of the couch underneath my body, the warmth of the air, and the rush of air from the ceiling fan.

What did I want?

I wanted to stay. I wanted this thing with Hudson to continue growing and thriving. I couldn't force anything, but I knew that I wanted to stay for now. That was a good start.

I'd trust in the process. I was here for a reason.

After spending some time with Grams, drinking tea and eating a snack, I helped her take a snack out to the guys.

"You boys look like you could use a break. I have more of my famous lemonade and cookies for you."

Shep snatched a cookie off the plate and put his arm around her. "Grams, you might be my favorite person."

Her cheeks actually turned pink. "Always charming me."

He nodded, chewing, and then said, "I'm good at that."

"Then why are you always getting into spats with Kinsley?" Cooper asked.

"Those aren't spats. That's foreplay. She can't get enough of me."

Brady rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I'm fairly sure that's not true. But keep telling yourself that."

"Don't scare off our newest office staff. She's made my life so much easier. I don't have to chase down paperwork, and the customers adore her," Hudson added.

Shepard placed his hand over his heart. "I'm shocked you would say that. Kinsley loves me."

I laughed because I wasn't so sure that was true. She'd spent a lot of time complaining about him now that she worked for the family.

We sat on various boards and boxes strewn around the yard, drinking lemonade and eating the cookies. They were gone in no time.

"Thanks for the cookies, Grams. We really appreciate it," Hudson said.

"You're doing me a favor, and I won't forget it. Norm and I had a lot of good memories out here. We raised our kids in this house, and if I'm lucky, I'll probably die in this house."

I didn't like when Grams talked about dying, so I said, "Grams, you know you're going to live to be a hundred."

"How can I not? I'll be inside. Don't work too hard. It's a hot one out here." Grams made her way around the side of the house to go back inside since the back door was blocked off for now.

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