Page 86 of Summer Love

I waved Cooper over next.

Shepard jumped into the chair before Cooper could sit down. "I'm done with my shoot, and Kinsley said you were talking to everyone. But you must have missed me."

"I did. But why don't you let Cooper get his makeup touched up, and I can talk to both of you at the same time."

"That's what everyone always does," Cooper said.

"Because you're twins? Fraternal, right?" I asked, looking them over. You could tell they were brothers, but they had slightly different builds and heights.

"That's right. I wouldn't want to look exactly like anyone else," Shep said, which was probably the most honest thing I'd ever heard him say.

"You like being different?" I asked as he moved out of the chair, and Cooper sat down.

"Yeah, you know. It's probably a twin thing. We're always lumped together. If I play football, then Coop must like it too. There are a lot of assumptions made, and I like to stand out."

Kinsley appeared next to me. "I think that much is obvious."

Shep winked at her. "You know you like it."

She rested a hand on her hip and popped her other hip out. "Like what? How you constantly talk yourself up?"

He stepped closer to her. "Most women like it."

Kinsley arched one delicate brow. "I'm not most women."

"Don't I know it?" His hand moved to a strand of her hair, and I swear Kinsley's breath hitched.

When her phone buzzed, she jumped. Without looking at it, she said, "Your turn, Cooper."

"I still need to talk to you," I reminded him as he got out of the chair.

"Yeah, yeah," Cooper said as he walked away with Kinsley.

"Why do you give Kinsley such a hard time?" I asked Shep.

"Honestly?" He shook his head. "She's so responsive. I've never met anyone like her. She rises to the bait every time."

"I would think you'd steer clear of each other at this point."

"Now, what's the fun in that?"

Without responding, I checked my notes. "What would women be surprised to know about you?"

"I'm a generous lover," he said softly, just as Kinsley reappeared and mumbled, "Jesus."

He flashed her a naughty smile. "I'm happy to take you for a ride."

"You know you're just giving me cheesy lines. It's not a good come-on," Kinsley shot back.

"Kins. I really need to talk to these guys. Can you see if Hudson is almost ready?" I pleaded with her.

"Fine."

I let out a breath. "Now, where were we?"

He grinned wider. "I offered to take your friend for a ride."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but you come across as self-centered. Is that the real you? Or are you hiding a heart of gold underneath all that bluster?" I teased him, confident he'd give me another one-liner.

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