Page 83 of Summer Love

He might, but I wanted him to be positive of where he stood with me. I didn't have anyone else to distract me from being there for him.

I could juggle my relationship with him, Elena, and my job without any issues. I'd held back for so long, but I was sure I could handle the added addition to my life now.

ChapterNineteen

ELENA

We spent every night this week at Hudson's house. It was a nice reprieve because the photo shoot was this weekend, and I didn't feel prepared for it. The first part of it was supposed to be on the beach, but the wind was kicking up, and the sun was playing peekaboo behind the clouds.

I wanted to interview each brother individually, but there were hair and makeup people, wardrobe, and staff milling about. It was pure craziness, and I was supposed to be in charge of it.

Thankfully, the photographer, Margot, managed the shoot itself. Valerie was here too, but that made everything more stressful. It seemed like she was following my every move.

Shep wandered out of the makeup tent shirtless with blue board shorts that hung low on his hips. His skin was tan, and there was a smattering of golden hair on his chest. Margot approached him, and he flashed her one of his famous smiles.

Kinsley stood next to me and let out a disgusted sigh.

Before I could say anything to her about her reaction to Shep, Valerie came over to me with a smile on her face. "These guys are going to look great on camera."

"I hope so." The nerves fluttered in my stomach.

Valerie glanced over at me. "You're not nervous, are you?"

"A little bit." I'd never been involved in a photo shoot for a magazine before.

Valerie gestured at Shep, who ran a hand through his hair, flexing his biceps in the process. "You have so much to work with. I think it will go great."

I bit my lip. "These guys are just regular people. Not models."

Margot approached us with a knowing smile. "That makes it better. It's more natural looking. You don't want practiced poses for something like this."

I raised a brow. "You're the expert."

Valerie sighed. "Relax. This is going to be amazing."

"If Shep doesn't hook up with one of the women first," Kinsley mumbled under her breath.

I followed Kinsley's gaze to where one of the makeup artists was brushing sand off Shep's chest.

"I might volunteer as tribute to keep their bodies free from sand," Valerie said.

"I'm going to prep the guys so you can interview them," Kinsley said.

"What did you have planned?" Valerie turned slightly to face me.

"I want to interview them. Then we can do a caption under their individual picture with insights unique to each brother."

"That's a great idea. We should do some kind of online poll too. Something like—which Kingston brother would you want to hook up with?" Valerie waved a hand.

"Maybe it should be slightly tamer, like which Kingston brother is your favorite?" I asked, worried about how Valerie's suggestion would appear to Jonathan. I promised this would be tasteful. I was fairly positive I said there wouldn't be any objectifying the guys.

Valerie scoffed. "What's the fun in that?"

At the end of the day, it was her magazine. I just hoped I could keep it as family friendly as possible. I didn't want this to bring the Kingston family negative publicity.

"When you're done with the draft article, send it over. I can't wait to see it. This is going to be great to increase readership. I want to bring in younger readers, and this is just the way to do it."

I bit my lip so I wouldn't say anything. This wasn't a permanent position. This was a test of sorts, and I needed to pass it if I wanted to keep my job and a means to stay on the island.

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