Page 47 of Summer Heat
"Her current landlord is giving her grief about the lease. So it's easier for her to stay here rent-free while she figures everything out."
"And you get to be the nice guy?" Hudson said, his voice dry.
"There's a first time for everything." Right now, I sounded like a cantankerous old man. I didn't think the viewers would have any interest in my grumblings.
"And you don't have any designs on your roommate?"
I straightened, grinning. "I happened to adore Maya. She's the best assistant. She somehow talks less than you do." I lowered my voice. "And that's saying something."
Hudson merely grinned. "Gotcha. Hiding behind the kid."
I rolled my eyes. "I'm not hiding behind anyone. But I happen to enjoy Maya's company."
"But not Kinsley's?"
I groaned. "She's nice. Will you leave it alone?"
Hudson handed me another tile. "It's just that she mentioned to Elena that she wants to date again."
My jaw tightened. "Good for her."
"You going to let her date someone else?"
I wondered if there was a way that I could delete the video from this morning and tell Kinsley there had been some error in filming. "I don't see why not."
"Are you going to watch Maya while she goes out?"
My shoulders stiffened at the idea of Kinsley going out with another man. "I think she goes out when Maya's with her father. But it's none of my business."
"Right," Hudson said in a tone that made me think he didn't believe a word I was saying. "The women are betting on when you fall for your new roommate."
I shook my head. "They don't have anything better to do with their time?"
"Nope," he said, acting way too smug for my taste.
"We have a renovation to finish and a wedding to plan. So shut up and get to work." I wasn't sure how long I'd be able to hold off his questions. He didn't seem to believe any of my answers. I shouldn't invite him over to help anymore. Maybe Brady or Cooper would be a safer bet. Hudson took the role of oldest way too seriously.
Chapter Thirteen
Kinsley
Shep and Hudson worked through the morning. I got started on editing the video while I sat on the patio, coming inside to switch the load of laundry and to check the battery on the phone. I thought it was sweet when Hudson asked Shep about dating, and he got all growly about it.
I wondered which woman would convince Shep to abandon his playboy ways. I had a feeling the viewers were going to love the brothers arguing with each other.
I made sub sandwiches and set cheese and grapes on a platter for everyone to share. When I poured the lemonade, I finally heard their heavy footsteps on the stairs.
"Why don't you wash up and then head outside?" I asked when Shep appeared in the doorway. I was trying to avoid getting the dust from cutting the tiles all over the kitchen.
They both washed their hands in the kitchen sink while I moved the serving dishes outside. I'd already set the table with dishes and silverware. Today, the sun shone brightly, reflecting off the water and creating a glare. I'd opened the umbrella over the table and brought out a fan to counter the heat.
"Thanks for lunch," Hudson said as he sat at the table.
I set the glass in front of him. "I appreciate you coming over to help out. I don't have any experience tiling bathrooms."
"Not many people do," Shep said easily as he grabbed a fistful of chips from the communal bowl and transferred them to his plate.
I sat across from them. "I started editing the video while you were working. The first one with Maya is so cute."
