Hudson grins. “So am I. I’m stealing that one from you. And for my fifth, I’d have to say I like to live life to the fullest. We’re only here for a short amount of time and I don’t want to miss any of it.”
Holding my arms out, I gaze around at our surroundings. “I’d say we’re living life to the fullest right now. That’s one of the things I know I need to work on.”
Hudson takes my hand and kisses it. “I think you’re already doing it.”
Footsteps echo off the wooden walkway and we turn to see Sandor coming toward us, carrying a silver wrapped box with a huge red bow. Hudson stands and helps me up. “I wonder what that is,” he says.
Sandor holds the box out to us and smiles. “I’ve been instructed to give you this.” Hudson holds the box and I lift the top. Inside is a video camera and an envelope with Interview Questions written on it.
Hudson and I stare at each other and I can tell he’s thinking the same thing I am. “Where are our camera guys?” I ask.
Sandor nods toward the path. “They left on the boat about an hour ago. The island is closed now. No more boats will be coming or going.”
Eyes wide, I gasp. “Closed? How are we going to get back?”
Sandor smiles. “You’re staying here tonight. If you need me, all you have to do is call. Some toiletries have been left in your cabana.” He nods at Hudson and turns to walk away while I stand there speechless.
Hudson is just as surprised as I am. “Well … looks like we’re not going anywhere.”
He carries the box inside and on the bed are two large gift bags. One is black and the other pink. The pink one has my name on it. I peek inside and there is a pair of black pajama pants and a black cami to match, and a pair of shorts and a tank top along with a bag of mini-sized toiletries, including a toothbrush and toothpaste. There’s also an envelope inside with my name written in my sister’s handwriting.
I open the envelope and pull out the letter.
Hey sis,
I’m sorry I couldn’t give you the heads up, but my team wanted to do something different with you and Hudson. I know you’re wondering if there are hidden cameras around. I promise you there are NOT. You have the island all to yourself. We look forward to seeing your private interview.
Love you,
Erin.
“What’s that?” Hudson asks as he sets the box with the video camera down on the dresser beside the bed.
I hold the letter out to him. “It’s from my sister.”
He reads it and smiles. “Wow. We’re alone. That’s nice to know.” When his eyes lift to mine, they make me tremble. I can see the heat behind them. Is it a good thing we’re alone? It’s what I’ve wanted, but now I’m nervous.
Hudson holds up the interview questions. “Want to go ahead and get this over with?”
I nod. “Yes. I’m curious to see what the questions are.” He tosses me the envelope while he sets the camera up across the room to where it faces the bed. The floral dress I had on earlier is draped across the couch so I slide it on over my bathing suit and then take a seat on the bed. Hudson turns on the camera and sits beside me. The little red light blinks at us and my heart starts to race.
Hudson bumps me with his bare shoulder. “Thought it’d be good if the viewers could see us reading the questions for the first time.”
I laugh. “Makes it more nerve-wracking too.” I look down at his bare chest. “Are you seriously going to do this with no shirt on?”
Hudson winks at the camera. “You guys don’t mind, do you?” Then he turns around so the camera gets the full view of his back. “Look everyone, badonkaskonk is almost gone.”
I lean closer to the camera, cupping a hand by my mouth as if I’m whispering to someone. “So he thinks.”
Hudson sits back down and bumps me with his shoulder. “I heard that, cupcake.”
It’s hard not to smile when he calls me that. I slide my finger under the envelope flap and pull out the paper inside. “All right,” I say, glancing quickly at the questions. “It says here that these are the top questions the viewers have been asking about us. Some are for Hudson and some are for me.”
Hudson’s eyes narrow at the paper. “Okay, the first question is for me from Sandy in Ohio. With a body like yours have you ever thought about doing one of those firemen calendars? If so, when do you think you’ll do it and where can I buy it?”
He looks over at me and we both burst out laughing. “Now that’s something I’d like to see,” I say to him.