“When does construction start on the house?” Astrid asks.
“We close on the property in three weeks,” Brooks says. “We’re going to take our time getting started.”
“There are really two ways we could set the house on the land, and we’re not sure which way we prefer.”
Astrid nods. “Just remember that I am one hell of a site manager.”
Gray rolls his eyes, tipping back his beer. “Sure, if you want them to quit.”
“You haven’t quit yet, have you?” she asks him, with a coy grin on her face.
“No, but that’s because I get paid overtime, if you know what I mean.”
Everyone laughs, filling the room with a sound that I’ve missed so much.All of us together.
“Hey, Hart,” Brooks says. “I forgot to tell you. I found a deal on a tractor the other day over in Snowden. I emailed you the link, but I doubt you saw it.”
“No, I didn’t. When did you send it?”
“Like, three nights ago, I think.”
He sighs. “Hell, I don’t think I’ve opened my email in a month.”
“How do you even make it in the world?” Gianna asks.
“He has me!” Cathy shouts from the kitchen, making us laugh again.
We sit in the warm sunlight coming through the windows, just enjoying time together. Hartley has an open book on his lap, Gianna and Drake are looking at something on Drake’s phone, and Gray and Astrid look like they’re about to take a nap. Brooks looks at me like he’s ready to head home. I know that look in his eye. He also knows that I’m wearing his favorite pink lingerie set under my clothes.
“How’s Big Ed?” I ask Gianna and Drake.
“Pretty good,” she says slowly, looking at her man. “I mean, it’s a day-to-day thing. We saw him last weekend, and it was a great visit.”
“It’s rough,” Drake says. “But my sister moving in with them has been a great help to Mom.”
“That’s why you have to have a lot of kids,” Brooks says. “Someone will be free to take care of you one day.”
The door opens and Jasper’s voice echoes through the house.
“What’s going on, everybody?” he asks, coming in. “Sorry we missed dinner, Cathy.”
“I have food for you to take home,” she says.
“Love you,” he calls back to her as he reaches the rest of us. “Sorry we’re late. Mira showed up this morning, so Markie was yapping with her for hours.”
Out of my periphery, I notice Hartley gently close his book, set it on the side table, and get up. The look on his face makes me curious as to what he’s thinking, but, of course, I won’t ask. No one will. The guys don’t seem to care about him and Mira—or him andnotMira, I guess. And the girls don’t know him well enough to bring that up. Not even Gianna is willing to do it.
“Well,” Brooks says, lifting me up and putting me on my feet. He stands behind me. “Jasper and Markie can have our seat. We need to get going.”
I hug my friends. “We’ll be in Nashville next weekend to put my place on the market.”
“Really?” Gianna asks.
“I’m never there. There’s no reason to keep it and run back and forth all the time.”
Gianna pouts. “I wanna live here, too.”
“Move here, then,” Astrid says. “I tell you that all the time. It’s not any farther for Drake to visit his parents, and you guys can host your podcasts anywhere.”
