Mick invited himself to Tyler's house on Friday night. When he arrived his friend took one look at him and said, "What's wrong?"

"Everything." He sighed and sagged onto his old friend, the sofa.

"What did your mother say to you?"

Mick shook his head. "Nothing. I haven't seen her in weeks."

"Your Dad?"

"He's okay. I think he's trying. He, um, knows he fucked up."

"That's something. I never minded your old man. I remember he would pick you up at my house and talk with my parents."

"Why don't I remember that?"

"Because the shit with your mother outweighed the good."

"Tyler," Poppy scolded him. Clara was eating finger food in her highchair.

Mick laughed at his friends's blush. "What are your plans for the weekend?"

Tyler smiled. "House hunting?"

Mick froze. "Really? Where?"

"Maybe Cambridge like..."

"Meg." Mick laughed.

"And Eli. We want a yard and more space."

Their apartment looked like a toy aisle exploded. "Everyone is deserting me."

Tyler laughed. "You live just over the bridge."

It wasn't far to Cambridge. Plus, he was close to Trish's apartment. Was she out with Jonathan?

"So spill what's bothering you?"

Mick looked at Tyler then Poppy. How much did he want to share?

Tyler looked down at Blue. "Let's go for a walk. I just finished changing." His friend wore jeans like Mick. The difference was Mick had worn his to work.

The air was chilly, and it was dark. Mick had longed for winter, but wasn't quite looking forward to the one that was approaching. They stood in silence as Blue sniffed around for the perfect spot. Once she peed, she led them down the sidewalk.

"Please don't tell me you're leaving again."

Mick chuckled. "Only for three days next week."

"Good. What's wrong?"

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I think I'm in love."

Tyler stopped walking. "That's amazing."

He shook his head. "I'm not sure she likes me that way, and even if she does, she still messed up from her ex."

"How long were they together?"

"Since high school."

"Yikes. What happened?"

"She hasn't talked about it, but her schedule put a strain on them and he looked for company elsewhere."

Tyler nodded. "Being the one pushed aside can't be easy, especially after so long."

Mick didn't state the obvious. It was not the same as Tyler and Meg. "They were married."

"The bastard." Tyler sighed. "She needs a nice guy like you."

"She doesn't think she deserves me or happiness. Her friend told me to be patient."

"Convince her otherwise."

"How?"

"Treat her like a queen."

Mick thought of the foot massage. He would have continued all night. She liked it and it was a good excuse to touch her. The hardest part was keeping his dick under control.

Tyler continued, "Or tell her."

Mick laughed ironically. "Right. Like that worked for you."

"It's better than wasting years just being friends."

"It's only been a week since I've seen her again."

"Give her time to realize how great you are."

"She doesn't think I would like a girl like her. Honestly, she doesn't know how sexy she is."

Tyler said, "She needs to meet Poppy and Meg. We should have a game night, but I'm not sure Meg is up for it."

Mick felt guilty. "How is she? I never checked in this week."

"Hanging in. She's working from home. I think we need to wait before we include Meg and Cade. We're on call to take their dog."

"Your apartment will really be too small."

"Apartment and bed. He likes Clara."

"That's good because he'll have one of his own soon."

Tyler frowned. "Let's hope not too soon."

Mick let himself worry about Meg. "I'll call her tomorrow. Offer to, I don't know, help. Somehow."

"Go visit and tell her your problem. She might offer a different perspective."

"Maybe I will."

"Tell me about the woman who has captured your heart like no one has ever done."

It was true, Mick had never been in love. How did he know he loved her? The feelings were beyond any he had felt ever. He pictured her in his mind. "She's beautiful, but not untouchable. She's like Meg and Poppy, but she looks fifteen years younger than she is. We played soccer and two co-eds thought she was their age. More than her looks, she's kind and intelligent. Her job is to save children's lives." He didn't voice it, but she was everything his mother wasn't.

"Bring her over sometime."

Mick shrugged. "Maybe, but you'll scare her away."

"No, I won't. Poppy's ex cheated on her, but it saved her from marrying the creep. Even when I met her she handled the betrayal."

"Trish's situation was different."

Tyler nodded. "You said they were together for a long time."

"Too long."

Mick wanted to text her. If she wasn't with Jonathan, he would bring over a pizza, but Poppy was expecting him to stay. Maybe he'd let her miss him, but he had never played games before. He pulled his phone out of his pocket when it vibrated. Frowning it was just Harper. Her message made him smile.

Heidi is engaged. Family dinner on Sunday to celebrate. Bring the girl.

He texted, what girl?

The one that likes you better than Hunter.

Not enough. We're just friends. Levi whistles at work.

Harper didn't respond, and Mick suspected he would see his boss at Sunday dinner.

Mick made it to noon on Saturday before he texted Trish. She didn't reply right away. Sorry. I have plans with Jonathan. Tomorrow?

Do you want to come to dinner at the Putnam house?

She sent back laughing emojis. No, thanks.

We could meet for coffee tomorrow morning.

He smiled when she replied, OK.

She couldn't fall for her ex's brother. Mick shook his head. No way, he told himself. With an entire Saturday free, he texted Meg who told him to come over anytime.

Mid afternoon, Mick drove to Cambridge. Cade answered the door. "She's excited to see you."

"Me? Why?"

Cade chuckled. "Something about a date."

"Tyler!"

Cade laughed. "I think it was Poppy."

Mick turned into the living room where Meg was resting on the sofa. Smiling, he leaned over and kissed her forehead. "How are you?"

"Moo," she answered. "I don't know what whales say."

Mick laughed, although Meg didn't join in. "You get a reward at the end."

"I know. My doctor is hoping for two more weeks. Every day counts."

"Can I do anything for you?"

"Cade waits on me. Right, honey?"

Cade nodded. "She's not good at keeping her feet up."

"Tell me about your girl."

"She's not mine. We're just friends."

Meg stared at him. "Is she blind? You're a catch."

He laughed. "A blind surgeon would be a huge liability."

Cade laughed, as Meg asked, "What's wrong with her?"

Mick sighed. "She's shut herself off so she won't get hurt again."

Cade frowned. "Sounds like Leigh. She was like that after her divorce. Eli broke through."

"How?" Mick asked, feeling hopeful.

"You can ask them. They're coming over soon."

Mick asked about preparations for the baby and listened although it was all unfamiliar to him.

"My mother had a baby shower for me."

Cade laughed. "Plus, we've been ordering things too. Every gadget possible we'll have it."

Mick thought of the newborns Trish told him about who needed surgery. All the gadgets in the stores wouldn't help those parents. Worried about Meg, he had googled high blood pressure in pregnancy and learned about the risk factors, especially toxemia. Maybe it stemmed from what he was lacking, but he could be a mother hen.

"I want to help. The waiting can't be easy."

Meg laughed. "I know you do. You're a fixer. Is that why you like your doctor?" Meg laughed again. "She must be a fixer too."

"I like her because she's perfect. If, um, when you meet her you'll see."

Meg turned to Cade. "Mick fled the country because he couldn't fix me and Tyler."

"I didn't." But their rift had been too difficult. He hated to be in the middle of two people he loved. "I like the people I love to be happy."

"We are. Both of us are where we belong. Poppy is perfect for him."

Mick nodded. "He's a great dad."

Meg nodded. "We're counting on them to tell me when my mother gives us bad advice."

He laughed. Shannon Rice had high expectations, but she loved her daughter and wanted the best for her. "She must be glad to be catching up to Chickie."

"Over the moon."

Cade chuckled. "She loves me too."

Mick said, "Because you gave her daughter your seed."

Meg laughed. "Seed. You sound like Poppy's mother talking about God."

Cade shook his head. "I like my in-laws better than Tylers."

"At least his in-laws live in another state. My mother will hate my wife." Mick frowned at the thought.

"You don't have a wife, but since she hates you."

"You sound more dysfunctional than my family and my mother married the mob."

Mick didn't respond although he knew about Cade's mother, her death, and her husband who was charged with murder along with racketeering. "My mother's weapon is her stony stares and sharp tongue."

"She is scary." Meg rubbed her large, round bump. "How can a mother not love her child?"

"I wish I knew," murmured Mick.

The barking dog interrupted his musing. Cade's sister stepped into the house with Eli Hathorne behind her.

Leigh walked over to Meg and put her hand on the bump. "How's my niece and her mother?"

"Hanging in there. Hi Eli."

"Meggy, we came to help pass time, but I see Mick beat us to it."

Meg waved her hand. "The more the merrier. We were talking about Mick's dilemma."

Mick groaned as Eli walked towards him with his hand outstretched. "What dilemma?"

Meg continued, "You'll understand. He's in love, but she's not over her first marriage."

There was so much to unpack. First marriage implied she would have a second. Mick didn't want her to marry anyone else. "How will I know if she's ready?"

Eli said, "You'll know." He smiled at Leigh and for a moment Mick felt like he was an interloper.

Leigh stopped ogling Eli and turned to Mick. "The end of a marriage is devastating. It happens when two people who loved each other and pledged to make a life together become so hurt they part ways. I've had a lot of counseling and a wonderful man to help me move on."

"She, um, she's hanging out with her ex's brother. I'm afraid she'll fall for him."

Eli said, "No way. Think how awkward holidays would be."

Mick nodded. "She went away for Christmas to avoid seeing her ex in her small town."

"Has she shared what ended the marriage?"

"I know he cheated."

Leigh winced. "I wondered why I wasn't enough. The pain was searing."

Eli put his arms around Leigh and held her. She was in love again and getting married, but she still needed support.

Meg rubbed her hands together. "How's wedding planning with Chickie?"

Mick leaned down and patted the dog. He had a lot to think about.

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