I woke Tuesday morning, and for the first time since I'd been sleeping beside Nate, I wasn't all over him. His spot was empty, but before I could wonder where he'd gone, I noticed the closed bathroom door and the sound of the shower.

Water. That would be amazing. My mouth was as dry as a desert and my head throbbed from dehydration. Well, hangover, dehydration, close enough.

I reached for my phone and knocked something over. Picking it up, I found lemon-lime Gatorade and smiled. My favorite. Nate continued to be a prince among men.

The shower stopped, and the room became silent. I sat up, cracked the top off the bottle, and chugged. Leaning against the headboard, I did a quick internal scan of my body and decided I was doing pretty well. Nothing a prescription dose of ibuprofen and the rest of the Gatorade wouldn't fix.

Lifting my phone, I found it was only nine in the morning, so I hadn't slept in too much, and I had several texts. Laurel was freaking out because I'd forgotten to call her after my meeting, but more importantly, Andre had texted. He said, I can't wait to see you again.

When the bathroom door opened, revealing Nate with a towel wrapped around his waist, I was grinning like an idiot.

He chuckled. "You look way happier than I was expecting."

"Andre texted."

"Really?" He wiggled his eyebrows. "What did he say?"

I tossed the phone toward Nate, letting it land on the bed, then sipped my drink as he crossed the room and read the message. He made approving noises, and said, "No games. That's another point for Andre."

"Oh my gosh, he's amazing. I'm completely smitten. Do people say that anymore?"

Stretching out beside me, Nate poked my nose. "No, but you're so happy I'll ignore that you sound eighty."

"Hey!" I shoved his shoulder. "Granny's older than that and she's cool."

"She is." Nate shook his head. "I can't believe she had a poker table set up when we got back. That was a lot of fun."

"Granny loves to play whenever we're together."

"I can understand why! If you'd told me a couple of weeks ago I'd be spending Christmas with my girlfriend's family losing thirty bucks in quarters to her Granny, I wouldn't have believed it."

"I'd never seen a worse poker player than Joby, but I think you stole his title." I laughed and sent stabbing pains through my brain. "Ugh. I have to get up. I need medicine and a toothbrush. My mouth feels disgusting."

"I bet. You were pretty tipsy last night." Nate snickered as he stood and went to the bathroom.

He worked product through his hair, and I closed the bottle and set it on the nightstand. "Thank you so much for the Gatorade."

"No problem, babe."

Standing beside him at the wide vanity, I dug through my toiletries bag in search of something to stop the pounding in my skull while he used the dryer and got every strand in place. When he finished and went to the bedroom, I took the pills and brushed my teeth.

Before leaving the bathroom, I asked, "Are you decent?"

"Never, but I'm wearing pants."

I snorted at his dumb joke and walked in to find him wearing the same jeans he'd worn to do yard work. "What's going on?"

He pulled on a black, fitted tee that showed off his toned body, then turned to me with a look of blank-faced innocence. "Nothing. Joby said he'd start that burn pile this morning, so I thought I'd help."

My eyes narrowed. "You do realize you'll reek of smoke after that, right?"

"Yeah, that's okay." Nate busied himself putting his things away and grabbing socks and shoes.

"Uh, huh. But you showered and styled your hair first."

He lowered into the chair beside the window, and sliding his socks on became incredibly difficult, requiring all his focus. He couldn't even look at me as I crept closer and sat on the floor, staring up at him.

"Nate?"

He picked a bit of fuzz from his jeans. "Yes, girlfriend?"

"Are you getting all extra hot for my brother?"

The tips of his ears reddened. "No. These are regular clothes, and I showered to stand in smoke because..." Blowing out a slow breath, he abandoned the challenging task of putting on socks, and slumped in the chair.

The conflicted expression pulling his mouth into a frown made my heart ache, but Joby was my brother, and I couldn't watch him get hurt. "What happened to not wanting to date someone that was in the closet? You seemed really sure about that, and it makes sense, but you can't play with Joby's feelings. He likes you, and it wouldn't be right."

Finally, Nate met my gaze. "What if I like him too?"

"You said that before, though."

"I knew I could like him. He's sexy and funny. Of course I could." He combed his fingers through his hair and sighed.

"So what's different?"

Nate studied the ceiling for a few seconds. "I thought I could check out Savannah with him yesterday, we'd have fun, and I'd still be able to keep my distance," he said with a tight voice. "We'd be friends."

"But you've changed your mind?"

"The more I'm around him, the more into him I am. He's smart and caring. I'm so glad you two figured things out. You have no idea how protective he is of you." Nate smirked. "He was so pissed at Briar and Sawyer, and it's warped, but Joby's even hotter when he's angry."

Nate leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and his forehead fell into his hands. He fisted his hair as he stared at the floor. "What should I do?"

"If you don't want to hide, and he isn't out, is there a choice?" I wanted both of them to be happy, and this didn't seem as though it could end well.

"Maybe I wouldn't mind. I think he could be worth it."

"Really?"

"I can't lose my chance without trying. I couldn't sleep last night thinking about him. Damn it, Liv." Nate lifted his face and glassy eyes searched mine. "I'm smitten too."

"Oh, honey." I raised up to my knees and wrapped my arms around him. "How about this? Keep doing what you're doing, be his friend while we're here. You're already my boyfriend, anyway."

One side of his mouth tipped up, and he nodded.

"When we get back home, you two can stay in touch and figure things out without my family breathing down your necks."

Nate took a deep breath and nodded some more. "Yeah, this is good. No pressure on Joby. We'll keep getting to know each other from a distance. Coming here as your boyfriend was actually the perfect cover, and if it becomes more once we're home, that's up to him."

"And you're alright with that?"

"I have to be if I want to spend time with him, and I really do."

"Okay, then." I stood and pushed Nate's shoes closer to him with my foot. "You get out there and help burn stuff. I'm going to call Laurel, shower, and then hang out with Granny for a bit."

"Thanks, Liv."

"You betcha, boyfriend." I winked, and he grinned.

***

An hour later, my headache was gone, and I was showered and ready for the day. Before I could go downstairs, though, I needed to call Laurel.

She answered on the third ring and she was already talking, "You got the contract, and you didn't call to celebrate with me? Girl, you better have a good excuse."

Sitting in the chair by the window overlooking the backyard, I watched the flames of the huge burn pile flicker as Joby and Nate stood nearby, chatting and sipping their coffee. They looked right together. Joby needed someone like Nate to lighten him up, and Nate could use Joby's stability to keep him grounded. Why was everything so difficult?

"Jolivette Talulah Carson, are you there? Did you butt dial me?"

"No." I giggled. "And that's not my middle name."

Laurel scoffed. "I'll care when you explain why I'm finding out the most exciting news our company has ever had through a dry-ass contract email, and not from my supposed best friend and partner."

"Well, you remember Andre from high school? The guy I dated before I picked Sawyer?"

"Like an idiot. Yes, go on." She gasped. "Wait! Was there an Andre at the bottom of this contract? Did High School Crush grow up to be Mr. Taylor Residential?"

"He did." I made an insane bird sound, and Laurel joined in.

"Tell. Me. Everything."

For the next fifteen minutes, I recounted every word, look, touch, and emotion that occurred with Andre. Just talking about him had me beaming as though I'd won the lottery, and I was glad Laurel couldn't see me because she'd think it was hilarious.

"I'm excited to check him out. Did you reply to his text this morning?"

My mouth fell open. "No! I was so excited that he'd reached out, and my head was killing me, and then I got distracted with Nate."

"Let him wait a minute. But not too long. Rich and fine doesn't last in this market."

I rolled my eyes. "I don't care about his money."

"Doesn't hurt that he's fine, though, huh?" Laurel cackled. "His money won't matter because with this contract, we'll be rich on our own."

"Is it possible that everything's coming together at once? I feel like some part of this will blow up. Real relationship potential and doing well at a job I love, that can't be my life."

"No, don't have that negative attitude. You're about to get it all, and you deserve it too. It's about damn time."

Through the glass, I caught Joby staring at Nate as he added branches to the fire. He followed Nate's every move, and I wondered if Nate knew. They were adorable, and watching them try not to openly flirt would be cute if the reasons didn't suck so much.

I sighed. "It's about time all of us were happy."

"It's true." Laurel popped her tongue. "What are you going to text Andre?"

"I'm not sure, probably that I'm excited too." Tingles filled me at the idea of talking to him. Even a text made me nervous. I needed to get it together.

"Or, hear me out, you could send a sext."

"Laurel." I scoffed.

"Okay, you're right. A picture then. Did you take that little black lace set you bought? You don't really need both pieces. Only panties would be perfect."

My face heated, and I laughed. "Now you're acting like you've never met me."

"I'm playing. If he's messaging you the next day, he's already hooked, anyway. You got this. Just be yourself."

"Thanks, Laurel."

"Yeah, girl. Have fun."

We hung up, and I texted Andre. I can't wait to see you either.

Then I went downstairs to find Granny.

***

After a couple of hours looking through old photo albums with Granny and Dad listening to stories from before I was born, Granny announced she was going to start cooking.

Before I could follow her and try to help, Dad pulled me aside. "Your mom will be back from her afternoon with friends before dinner. I know she'd appreciate it if you'd talk to her one on one."

I puffed out my cheeks and exhaled slowly. "What do you want me to say?"

"Anything, as long as you speak to her." His expression was pleading, and for a second I felt guilty, but no. I wasn't the one who'd created the distance between us.

"Dad, all she does is point out what I'm doing wrong. From my appearance, to my job, to where I live, I've done nothing right."

His lips pressed into a straight line. "I'm sorry you feel that way, sweetheart. And I understand why you do. I've talked to her about the way she approaches things with you so many times over the years I've lost count. But I promise you, it comes from a place of love. She only wants the best for you."

"She wants me to be someone she can brag about to her snooty friends." I crossed my arms. "I thought having Nate with me this year would make her happy and she'd chill a little with the judgments, but it doesn't seem to matter."

"She likes Nate just fine. He seems to be a good man, but you hurt her feelings by showing up with him." Dad furrowed his brow and his disappointment was a weight on my shoulders.

"Why? Because he wasn't someone she chose?"

"No, sweetheart. Because we didn't even know you were with anyone, and you only told Granny he was coming. She thinks we've been cut out of your life."

Sadness coated his words, and my chest ached as I realized he was talking about both of them. "I'm sorry, but you both know where I live and you've never come to visit. Mother only texts or calls when she has ways she thinks I could fix myself. No matter what I do, she's never supportive. Why would I want more of that?"

"I understand. There are things we need to work on, but please try. I don't think you realize how much it hurt her when you moved away. If you'd both give a little, things could change."

"Maybe." I'd believe it when I saw it, but I kept that to myself as Dad pulled me in for a hug.

He kissed the top of my head. "I love you, sweetheart. Your mother does too."

"I love you too." I squeezed around his waist.

Dad stepped away. "Why don't you go see what those boys are up to in the yard? I'll help with cooking."

"Okay."

I followed him down the hall to the kitchen, where Granny had the counter full of vegetables. "We'll skip lunch and have an early dinner tonight. Alright?"

Dad and I both hummed in agreement. I wasn't hungry, anyway.

"Liv, guess what?"

"What, Granny?" I smiled because something had her excited.

"I have everything Nate said he needed to make that bread pudding. Would you send him in to show me how he does it? We could have it for dessert tonight."

"Sure! That sounds great." Nate would like that, anyway.

The backdoor squeaked as I opened it, and both of the guys looked up from the fire and waved as I crossed the yard toward them.

With Nate inside, Joby and I would have a chance to talk. That suddenly felt long overdue.

What do you think about Liv's mom? Could her constant nitpicking be her way of helping and staying involved in Liv's life?