Page 70 of Summer Heat
Shep's brow furrowed. "I didn't realize you were looking."
I drank lemonade to soothe my dry throat and then responded, "Once the renovation is done, it makes sense for me to move out."
"Don't move out because of the wedding. I promise we'll try not to intrude too much on your life. It will probably just be setup that week and takedown on Sunday. Other than using the bathrooms on the second floor, there won't be people parading around the house."
"It's only for a day. I can handle it," Shep said, but his brow was furrowed.
Was he upset that I'd mentioned moving out? I wasn't sure what he wanted. He hadn't said anything about our relationship. Where did we stand?
"Are we getting any interest from the videos you posted?" Hudson asked me, thankfully changing the conversation.
"It's been really disappointing."
Shep shrugged. "I'm not upset about that."
Elena nodded sympathetically. "It's probably harder to get viewers than we thought."
I shifted in my seat. "Those influencers make it look so easy. Or it's possible I don't know what I'm doing."
"I saw your clips. I thought they were great. Shep and Maya are so cute together." Elena popped a chip into her mouth.
Shep raised his brow. "Cute?"
"Well, yeah, you're really good with her," Elena continued, not realizing she'd offended his sense of manliness.
"I doubt people want cute when they tune into a renovation show," Hudson teased.
Shep smacked him in the arm. "Knock it off. I'm not cute."
Maya popped a grape into her mouth. "You are cute."
Everyone laughed.
"I'm a tough guy." Shep flexed his bicep for her, and she moved over to him so that she could touch it. He let her climb into his lap, and she squeezed his muscle. "It's squishy."
Everyone laughed, and Hudson whistled, cutting through the noise. "She's got your number."
"She's lucky she's so cute." Shep tickled her, and she scrambled off his lap.
Maya yelled, "Cute, cute," as she ran back to me for cover.
I wrapped my arms around her as she looked back at Shep. "You're safe with me."
I'd miss living here with Shep and the easy camaraderie with his family. When I moved out, I'd go back to being an employee. I wouldn't have a reason to hang out with them like this. I was friendly with the women, but I wasn't a part of their family.
"I'm safe with Shep too," Maya said, and Shep met my gaze over her head.
She felt safe here. She didn't have to worry about things breaking or pipes flooding the place. The next time I moved, it would be somewhere nice. Somewhere she could feel safe. I felt awful that I'd failed her as a mother. I should be the one creating a healthy environment for her.
Chapter Nineteen
Shep
I rarely had anyone over for a meal, and Maya made it easier. Everyone was entranced with her because she was so cute.
But my brain was hung up on Kinsley's declaration that she might move out before the wedding. My chest had been tight ever since.
Was she really considering moving out? Did she not feel welcome here because of the wedding? Was she worried about what my dad would think?
