Page 72 of Summer Heat
She squealed each time and came back for more.
When we were tired out, I sat on the edge next to Kinsley while Maya played with some mermaid dolls. "It was a good day."
Kinsley moved her feet in the water. "I was worried about the wedding plans, but they seem to be coming along nicely. Hudson and Elena are so lucky to have someone to plan it for them."
"Linnea knows all the vendors and what to order. This way, we can focus on the renovations."
I wanted to ask her about her comments regarding moving, but I couldn't. Not with Maya nearby.
I wanted everything to be ready for the wedding, but I didn't want her to leave.
Things picked up the next week. I worked with my brothers at home, and our progress moved along more quickly. It was good to have help. I felt more confident that the place would be presentable before the wedding.
We made extensive plans to knock the kitchen out quickly. A few of us would work on it during the day, leaving our regular projects to our crew. It was a test of sorts to see if we could give our crew more responsibility.
If so, we could continue to expand the way Dad wanted us to. If we trusted our crew, we wouldn't need to be there all the time.
I suggested that we train one person on the crew as a sort of assistant project manager. Most of us worked with another person anyway. This was just expanding that role and offering them more money to do it.
It was the right thing to do, and I was happy that I could offer a solution. I was fairly sure there was respect in my dad's eyes at that particular business meeting.
I'd been so busy between work and the renovation, I hadn't had a chance to talk to Kinsley about her plans to move out. I'd rationalized it to myself that she just said that to show my brother that nothing was happening between us.
It was an elaborate ruse to throw him off the developing relationship between us, because whenever we were together, things were great. We spent a lot of time stargazing on the roof and making love until Kinsley had to return to her room solo.
I didn't like that she left me after we were together, but what other option did I have? We'd need to tell Maya about us, and I didn't want to do that until Kinsley was ready.
I figured after the wedding, things would slow down, and we'd be okay. I just needed to focus on finishing the renovation and hosting the perfect wedding for Hudson and Elena.
For once, I wouldn't let anyone down. The nagging voice in the back of my head reminded me that I should talk to Kinsley, but I could put it off until things slowed.
The one thing that was starting to scare me was how deep my feelings were for her. I hoped she felt the same. Because if not, I could get hurt.
On my way home, Dad called me into work. I detoured to the office, wondering if Kinsley would have already left to pick up Maya from the aftercare program at her school.
Not seeing her vehicle parked outside, I went down the hall to Dad's office. "You wanted to see me?"
Dad gestured toward the chair. "Sit down."
His office consisted of a utilitarian desk, two chairs for guests, and filing cabinets. It was the bare minimum for what he needed. He didn't believe in having a plush office. He was more concerned about the service we delivered.
"What's up?"
"How are things going at the house? Hudson said everyone is chipping in."
"I'm really grateful that everyone has stepped in to help. We're ahead of our timeline. I'm confident that we'll have the bathrooms ready so that we can get started on the kitchen."
"Good. I wanted to tell you how proud I am that you came up with the idea of using the kitchen renovation as a test for the assistant project managers. It was a good idea."
"Thanks." I couldn't remember the last time my dad had said he was proud of me. He usually preferred to ask me why I couldn't be more like Hudson or Cooper.
"You seem different."
Did he know about me hooking up with Kinsley? I didn't want to lie to him, but I still hadn't discussed with Kinsley going public yet.
I had to make it to the wedding. Then we'd figure everything out. Hopefully, we'd come up with a plan to tell my family.
We'd been living in our little bubble at my house and hadn't been challenged with outside stressors. The wedding would be the ultimate test.
