Page 1 of Summer Love

ChapterOne

HUDSON

"Ineed you to come into the office."

It was a long day, and all I wanted to do was go home, take a shower, and sit on my back deck with a beer in my hand. "Sure."

I didn't bother to ask what it was about. If Dad said he wanted to see me, then I complied. He was the boss. If I had any hope of taking over for him one day, I needed to show him I was reliable and responsible.

I hung up, taking a left to go to the office instead of the right that would take me along Gulf Drive to my house.

At the office, I parked next to my dad's red Kingston Construction truck and got out. I was rarely in the office. I spent most of my time on jobsites, managing various crews.

Inside, I waved to the new office assistant, Kinsley, who'd taken over for my sister, Luna, when she decided to open an interior-design business.

"He's waiting for you," Kinsley said with a smile.

I leaned on the counter, nerves kicking in. "Do you know what it's about?"

"He's meeting with Elena Perkins. She just moved home and works for theIsland Times. I assume it's something related to the magazine."

"I don't know an Elena Perkins." I rapped my knuckles on the countertop, not liking the reason why Dad would want me here.

"We all went to school together. You don't remember her? She's nice. I'm sure it's not going to be that bad."

I blew out a breath as I checked the time on the clock on the wall. "Have a good night, Kins."

"You too," Kinsley said cheerfully, because she was minutes from getting out of here, and I was meeting with a journalist for some unknown reason. I ran the possible scenarios through my head, not liking any of them.

It wasn't uncommon for the local newspaper or magazine to do a write-up on the business or the status of construction on the island, but I'd never been included in any of those interviews because my dad was the head of the company. Maybe things were finally changing. I didn't relish the marketing or publicity side of the business, but I was looking forward to taking over for my father someday.

I hesitated at the doorway.

A woman with long blond hair sat in the chair across from my dad. She wore a floral dress and silver sandals on her feet. I wasn't sure why I noticed, but her nails were painted pink.

Dad looked at me. "Hudson, glad you could make it."

The woman stood and turned to face me. She had a notebook in her hand.

Dad held out a hand in my direction. "Elena Perkins, this is my eldest son, Hudson. I think he'll be the best to help you with your project."

I shook her outstretched hand, trying not to notice how her dress accentuated her breasts or brought out the blue in her eyes. "And what project is that?"

When we were seated across from him, Dad continued, "Ms. Perkins works for theIsland Timesmagazine and is writing an article on the most eligible bachelors on the island. Apparently, you and your brothers are on the top of that list," Dad said, an odd sense of pride in his voice.

I groaned. "You can't be serious."

Elena's smile faded. "Your father said you would allow me to shadow you and interview you for the story."

"It will be good publicity for the business." Dad slapped his hands on the desk as he stood. "I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about. I'll be heading out."

Dad rounded the desk to shake Elena's hand and then said his goodbyes. He was out the door before I could respond.

Slightly panicked, I said, "I'll be right back." Then I hurried to the now-vacant front counter. "Dad, why would we want to be involved in something like this? It sounds like a fluff piece."

Dad turned to face me, a stern expression on his face. "They're going to write the story with or without us. I'd rather we be portrayed in a positive light. And it'll be good for the business."

"Why can't Shepard or Cooper handle it? They'd eat something like this up." My middle brothers were twins and loved the limelight. Or at least Shepard did, and Cooper went along for the ride.

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