Page 19 of Summer Heat
"Let us know if you need any help. We can chip in," Hudson finally said.
"Appreciate that." I'd do what I could without them.
Hudson dipped his head toward Maya and Kinsley. "And for what it's worth, I think it's a nice thing you did, giving them a place to stay. You have the biggest place and all those empty bedrooms."
"Logistically, it made sense. Besides, it's lonely now that everyone's got a significant other."
"You don't have anyone to go to the bars with?" Cooper asked.
He used to be my wingman but had pulled away over the last year. It had only gotten more pronounced when he hooked up with Ivy and got her pregnant. He was wrapped up in her and Henry. It sucked that I'd lost my twin's support along with the rest of my brother's. "Nah. I don't do that much anymore anyway. The house keeps me busy."
The renovation was clutter that took up space in my head. I couldn't clear it away to see what I should be doing. It was the story of my life. The bigger the project, the harder it was to see a starting or end point.
We threw out our plates, then helped Mom carry the leftovers inside. Then we drifted down to the beach. I carried out the cooler while the other guys lit the torches and the bonfire. It would be a nice night for it.
The breeze kept things cooler, and I knew the night was drawing to a close. I could leave sooner rather than later.
Kinsley appeared at my side and curled her hand around my arm. "Are you okay?"
It was a possessive move, but I knew she didn't mean it like that. She just wanted a moment to speak with me. "You were supposed to protect me from my family."
A smile spread over her face, and she laughed. "I neglected my duties by sitting with the girls."
My nose wrinkled. "Something like that."
"Was it that awful?"
I nodded. "It was brutal. Everyone thinks I'm going to mess things up at work by moving you into my house."
She frowned. "I'm going to look for a new place, starting tomorrow. I'll talk to Ivy?—"
I covered her hand with mine. "You don't have to move out. I said you'd be helping me with the renovation, and it will be easier with you staying on the premises." It wouldn't be intimate even if we'd be sharing a bathroom for the foreseeable future.
"Okay. But if at any time it becomes too much, just let me know."
I didn't want her to worry about finding a place. "If something comes up, then fine. But there's no rush."
Her face relaxed. "Elena mentioned wanting to get married at the house in June."
"So soon?" I was hoping to have more time with Kinsley in my home, working on the house. The thought of racing to get things done had panic setting in.
"It will be fine. They just need the downstairs and the bathrooms completed to host the wedding. The ceremony and reception will take place on the beach and the patio."
"Grams would love that they're getting married in her house."
"Were you holding out hope that your wedding would be there too?"
Her comment threw me off. "I've never thought about getting married. I kind of assumed it wasn't in the cards for me. Not the way women tend to look at me."
Kinsley's hand rested on my arm, a comforting gesture. "As a handsome man who's talented with his hands."
I smirked, a throwback to my usual flirty behavior. "I am talented with my hands. You want to find out?"
She grinned. "You're incorrigible."
"It used to make you mad when I said stuff like that. Why doesn't it now?" I was genuinely curious about that. I'd noticed our interactions had changed over the last few months.
"I guess because I know you better, and I don't think you're the guy I originally thought you were."
