Page 87 of Summer Love

He leaned close. "I'm going to let you in on a little secret."

"Yeah?" What could he possibly have to reveal? Everyone said he was exactly as he seemed.

He pressed a hand against his chest. "This is the guy people want to talk to."

My heart thudded in my head because he was being honest finally. "The player? The easygoing guy who jokes around."

He leaned back in the chair. "You got it."

Who was the real Shepard then?

Hudson appeared with Kinsley at his side. "You wanted to talk to me?"

"I bet you've already covered everything in the bedroom and out," Shep teased as he sauntered away.

"He's such an—" Kinsley began.

I held up my palm. "Don't even finish that sentence."

She shook her head and said, "I'm going to grab Cooper for you."

"Thanks, Kins."

Hudson sat in the chair, letting his legs fall open, and grabbed my hand, pulling me to step between them. "How's your morning going?"

"Are you trying to distract me from asking questions?" I asked lightly, enjoying the ease of being with him like this.

He cocked a brow. "What do you want to know?"

"What's something that people would be surprised to know about you?" I asked.

"That I'm one hundred percent in love with an island girl," his voice was soft, and his hand tugged on a strand of my hair.

I sucked in a breath.

"Are you almost finished?" Valerie asked from behind me, startling me.

She looked curiously from me to Hudson.

I stepped back, my face flush. "I still need to talk to Cooper, and Hudson needs to get his picture taken next."

She held her hand out to Hudson. "I'm Valerie, the editor ofIsland Times."

"Nice to meet you."

Valerie clapped her hands together. "Let's get you set up so Margot can get out of here on time. Photo shoots aren't cheap."

I wasn't sure if that comment was directed to me or not. I sat in the chair that Hudson had vacated, wondering if he'd really just declared his love for me. He'd held a strand of my hair and was talking directly to me.

I hadn't thought of myself as an island girl in a long time. Did I want to be one again? Did I want to live the ultimate fantasy life here on the island? Could I support myself somehow? That was the perennial question, and this article was the test.

Cooper appeared in front of me, a chambray shirt open to reveal tan skin. "Kinsley said you wanted to talk to me now."

I couldn't help but compare these guys to the ones in the city. Daniel's skin was white from never being in the sun, and the Kingston brothers were golden brown.

"I'm adding a few tidbits about each of your brothers, things that are unique to you. What do you like to do? Is there anything people would be surprised to know about you?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "Not really. I work in construction. I love my family. What did everyone else say?"

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