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“Ellis, this is Micah, my best friend. And Max, our producer on Heartland Overhaul.”

Ellis forced a smile. “I thought you two looked familiar.”

“You’ve seen the show?” Max’s smile was sincere and his tone was pleased.

After a moment, Ellis dipped his head in a single nod. “I used to watch it a lot with my ex-wife. Nice to meet you.”

We stood there awkwardly, everyone just sort of looking at each other, waiting for someone to break the tension. Finally, I took a deep breath and spoke. “Well, like you said, it’s almost lunchtime. Let’s go to the diner.” I glanced at Ellis. “You’re coming, right?” Having him there would be a buffer between my old life and my new one, a grounding support I needed.

He shook his head and waved away the question. “Nah, you three go. Have a good time catching up. I’ll be here working on the walls.”

“You want me to bring you something back?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I have those sandwiches you made for us this morning.”

I didn’t love the idea of leaving Ellis behind to work and eat without me, but I didn’t want to argue with him, either. “Okay. Let’s go to the diner.”

Max and Micah followed me out of the shop and onto the sidewalk before Micah pulled me into a tight hug. I hugged him back just as tightly, something in me unraveling.

“I miss you, man,” he said.

I nodded and patted his upper arm. “I miss you, too.” I wasn’t convinced they were just here to visit, but I was glad to see them both either way.

A few minutes later, we were seated around a small, square table in the diner, sipping our drinks and chatting as they looked the menu over. I already missed Ellis, his steady presence, his quiet strength, and regretted coming without him. Once we’d ordered, I looked at Micah and forced myself to make casual conversation.

“How’s Asher?”

He smiled warmly, gaze going soft. “He’s great. Doing a lot of side work lately, building furniture and things. He’s expanding from the construction world.”

“Glad to hear. And all’s still well in paradise?”

“It is. We’re really happy together.”

I nodded and smiled, genuinely happy for the two of them. “And Max, how’s Jake?”

Max grinned and laughed at something quietly. “Same as always. You know Jake.”

“I do.” Jake, the construction foreman, was a grumpy asshole—a lot like Ellis, come to think of it—but Max had softened him.

“Ellis seems nice,” Micah offered.

My face heated and I looked down at my hands briefly. “He’s great. We’re just roommates, though.”

Micah snorted. “I don’t believe that for a second.”

“Well, I don’t know what to tell you then.” Even to my own ears, the protest sounded weak.

“You two looked pretty close and flirty for a couple of roommates,” Max pointed out.

My face burned even hotter. “Micah, do remember my best friend from college, Lena? He’s her older brother. Definitely off-limits. She would not be amused.” I rubbed one hand across my cheek and jaw.

We were quiet for a few moments as the server dropped off our food and we dug in—Micah and Max had ordered burgers and I got a chicken sandwich. Once we’d had a few bites of our meal, I turned my attention back to the guys, ready to cut to the chase.

“Seriously, though… what brings you two to Pine Bluff?”

“We can’t just visit to say hi?” Micah asked, his tone artificially light.

I chuckled a little and shook my head. “Is this about the show?” I didn’t know why I’d asked. It was obviously about the show. I’d just hoped they wouldn’t bring it up. Clearly my luck wasn’t that good.