Chapter 13 #2
It was Elena's message that made me pause. She'd said, You have to post these! These are so adorable. Even if we only use them for social-media clips to generate interest in the business, I think you should keep filming. You're onto something.
What was I onto? An attractive man who was good with my kid? A contractor who struggled with organization skills and the respect of his family, but desperately wanted their acceptance? I felt like I'd learned more about Shep during this process than anyone else.
The sun was starting to dip when I finally stretched my neck and checked the time.
The sliding door opened, and Hudson stepped through. "I'm going to head out."
I placed my laptop on the table. "Thanks for coming over to help."
He pointed toward the computer. "What's that?"
"That's the clip I edited. Want to see it?" At Hudson's nod, I hit Play.
He braced his hands on the back of the iron chair, and we fell silent as we watched it play. It was the scene where Shep was showing the design for the princess bathroom to Maya. Her eyes were wide and her cheeks flush with excitement as Shep patiently described the layout.
The clip ended when she proclaimed excitement about her new princess bathroom. By the time the clip was over, Shep had joined us.
He gestured at the screen. "Are you posting that somewhere?"
I glanced at my phone. "Elena recommended that we post it on social media first, since these are short clips, and see what response we get. It might not get any views."
Hudson lifted his hands from the chair. "You're good with Maya."
"Yeah, he's so good with her," I said softly.
Shep nodded toward the screen where he and Maya were frozen. "Are you sure it's a good idea to post that?"
I shrugged, not knowing what to expect. "There's a possibility that no one will see or those who do won't care."
"But there's a chance that it goes viral or whatever, right?" Shep asked tightly.
"I doubt it will go viral. The business has social-media sites, but we're followed by past, current, and potential clients. We don't have that kind of reach yet. This is to show clients that you're more than a business or a logo on a wall. You're a family."
"I don't like it."
I knew he was nervous about people watching and scrutinizing him. "People are going to like it."
Hudson nodded. "The camera loves you, and you're good in front of it."
Shep straightened as if Hudson's praise meant something to him. "I wasn't awkward?"
"I noticed that you relax and forget about the camera when Maya's around ," I said.
"Dad thinks we need to be more active on social media, and this will satisfy him. The purpose of the article we did with the Island Times was to get more eyes on the business and to endear us to the community," Hudson explained.
"All it did was to get more girls asking us out. Do you know how many calls for estimates I was sent on when it was just a woman interested in getting my number?" Shep grumbled, and I raised my brows.
I hadn't heard him complain about it at the time.
At Hudson's blank look, Shep shook his head. "You were too busy with Elena while I was fending off the single women."
"That must have been so hard for you," Hudson drawled.
"I'll start posting these, and we'll see what kind of reception they get."
"Thanks for filming, Kinsley. It looks great." Hudson headed through the house, and we followed him.
It felt weird to be saying goodbye to one of his brothers while I was staying in the house, and we'd be alone after he left.
Hudson hesitated at the door. "Let me know if you need help. You have a lot to do before the wedding."
Shep nodded tightly. "Will do."
Hudson left, and then we stood in the foyer alone.
"I'm done editing for the night. My wrists hurt from being on the computer so much today," I said, heading back through the house to grab my laptop.
I charged the laptop at the desk in the living room. "What should we make for dinner?"
"I pulled out steak and potatoes earlier. I'm going to throw them on the grill."
"I'll see if we have any veggies we can grill with it."
Shep grabbed the serving dish and disappeared outside.
I wondered if he felt awkward too. We'd never been truly alone in the house.
Maya was always around, whether she was asleep or somewhere playing.
This was the first time there wouldn't be any interruptions.
No distractions. How was I going to share a meal with Shep?
I wasn't sure I'd be able to hide my attraction, not without a buffer.
I always had Maya to focus on. To distract myself from my errant thoughts. But now? She was safe with her father, and I was hyperaware of how alone I was with Shep.
There was no way to know if he felt the same attraction that I did, but I had my doubts. He could have anyone he wanted. Why would he choose to be attracted to me?
I shouldn't be attracted to someone who approached dating so flippantly. I wanted someone who was interested in a serious relationship. I had to think about Maya. I didn't have time for one-night stands or hookups.
Suddenly, I felt old. I couldn't go out to a bar or dinner on a whim. I always had to think about Maya. How could I meet someone else when I was caught up in Shep?
Maybe I should table dating until I was living on my own again. But that would let me crush on Shep full-time, and that wasn't healthy either.
Shep popped his head in the door. "Are the veggies almost ready?"
"Almost," I said brightly, even though I'd only managed to wash them and get out a cutting board.
"Bring them out when they're chopped," Shep said with a wink, and my entire body heated.
Nope. I wasn't going to survive the night. I hit Play on some music, hoping it would distract me, and forced myself to focus on chopping the veggies, placing them into a bowl and covering them with olive oil. Then I carried them outside, feeling awkward
"How's the steak coming?"
He grinned at me in that easy way he did with women. "They're cooking."
He wasn't nervous because he wasn't interested in me.
He wasn't feeling awkward because women were always attracted to him no matter what he did.
I'd just fallen into the same trap. And maybe that's why I fought him so hard for months.
I knew I'd fall for his charm too. I had to keep in mind that he was a perpetual flirt, and it didn't mean anything.
But now, I'd moved in with him and fallen for his charm anyway. It was inevitable.