“How long is he in town for?” Jules asks.

“A while.” Meg shrugs and smiles. “I like having him here again. He’s staying at my townhouse for now. We actually started working on a song together last week.”

“That’s awesome, I’m so happy for you.” Nat pats Meg on the shoulder.

“Jules, how’s Nate?” I ask and effectively change the subject.

“Sexy,” she replies and flips her blonde hair back over her shoulder.

“That we knew.” Meg rolls her eyes.

“We’re good. Busy.” Jules shrugs. “Nothing really to report.”

During the next hour we gossip about mutual friends and catch up with each other, and I’m relieved that the conversation stays clear of Leo.

I don’t like lying to my closest friends, and by not telling them about Leo, I’m lying. It doesn’t sit well with me.

“Sam, how’s your job?” Meg asks.

Oh good, another lie to feel guilty about.

“Fine. The usual.” I shrug nonchalantly and smile.

I am so going to hell for lying to my family.

***

“Hi, baby, did you guys have fun?” Luke asks Nat as we come through their front door and greets her with a kiss, Livie perched on his hip. Livie squeals in delight and reaches for her mama, and I can’t help but smile as I watch their little family.

They’re adorable.

Nat showers her daughter with kisses and then passes her along to me and then Luke dips her low and plants a big one on her.

I have a very Jules-like compulsion to gag.

“Ew, don’t watch that, Livie. You’re too young.” I carry her to the kitchen, put her in her chair and she immediately reaches for the Cheerios spread on her tray.

“Mmm,” she grins as she sticks a Cheerio in her mouth.

“Mmm,” I agree.

God, she’s adorable.

“Did you put the pretty pink bow in her hair?” I ask Luke with a smirk.

“Uh, no.”

“I did before I left.” Nat laughs and kisses her baby on the head as she walks past. “Did you two have fun?”

“Always.” Luke smiles. It’s good to see him smile so much.

He didn’t for far too long.

“Nat invited me for dinner.” I plop in a chair next to Olivia and push her cereal around on the tray.

“Cool. We’re having liver and onions.”

“I’m leaving.” I brace my hand on the table to stand and Natalie smacks Luke on the arm.

“If we are, I’m leaving with her.”

“What are you making?” I ask and give him the big blue-eyed look he can’t resist.

“I guess I’m making alfredo.” He sighs, knowing it’s my favorite.

“Yes!” I pump my fist in the air and offer Olivia a high five, but she just giggles at me.

“So, what do you know?” He asks me like he always does and leans on his elbows on his countertop.

“I know you’re a pain in the ass,” I reply with a grin.

“Why did you invite her?” He asks Natalie.

“I like her.” She shrugs and winks at me.

“She likes me more than she likes you,” I tell him smugly.

“No, I guarantee that isn’t true, is it baby?” Luke grabs her from behind and nuzzles his nose in her neck and pushes his pelvis against her ass and this time I do gag.

“God, stop it. There’s a baby present.” I shake my head. “You’re disgusting.”

“He can’t keep his hands off me.” Natalie laughs and points at her still-flat belly. “Hence, baby number two.”

“You do know what causes that, right?” I ask.

“What?” Luke asks innocently.

“I’m so not having this conversation with you.” I shudder violently. “Gross.”

He laughs and we settle into a happy, relaxed evening of good food and conversation. I love my brother more than just about anyone else in the world. I trust him. I can be myself with him, and he loves me back.

And I’ve grown to feel the same about Nat.

I needed this tonight.

When dinner is cleaned up, Nat takes Olivia upstairs for a bath and bed, and Luke hands me a glass of white wine. We’re sitting at the breakfast bar of their really impressive kitchen.

He’s so damn spoiled.

“So, what’s up with you?” he asks.

“Nothing.” I take a sip of the crisp, sweet wine. “What’s up with you?”

I’m not fooling him. He just stares at me for a minute and then takes a sip of his own wine. He runs a hand through his always-messy blonde hair and scratches his head.

“Don’t wanna talk about it?” He asks.

I hate it when he can see through me.

Dumb brother.

And I want to tell him, so badly, about my job and Leo, because I know he’ll understand and listen, but I just can’t.

“Nothing to talk about.”

“Do you need help?” He asks softly, the blue eyes that match mine serious and worried.

“Nope.” I repeat and shake my head.

“You worry me, you know.”

“I thought I was the older sibling.” I wrinkle my nose at him and pat his back. “I’m fine.”

“Okay. I’m here.” He exhales and tugs my ear and then takes another sip of his wine.

“I know.” I’m mortified to feel tears trying to gather in the corners of my eyes, so I quickly change the subject. “So you guys are moving?”

“Yeah, if I can find a place that doesn’t suck.”

“Which means if you can find a place you love more than this one,” I respond with a smirk. “I know you love this house.”

“I do.” He nods thoughtfully and then his eyes turn to the top of the stairs. “I love them more, and we’ll out-grow this house soon.”

“I’m not helping you move. You have too much shit.” I finish my wine and laugh at his scowl.

“Well, it’s a good thing I can afford a moving company.”

“Good thing.” I agree and smile smugly. “But I’ll babysit.”

“You’re just using me for my kid.” He laughs and refills his wine. “Want more?”

“No, I have to go.”

“You’re leaving?” Nat asks as she jogs down the stairs.

“Yeah, your husband is boring me.” I wink at her and pull my jacket and scarf on.

“You’re so charming,” Luke mutters.