This tugged a rough laugh from CJ. “I meant for . . .” He shook his head. “Look, I don’t make time for this stuff anymore. I don’t make much time for myself at all.”

“All work and no fun?”

“There’s more to life than hookups and fun, Gavin. I’m still not sure you get that.”

“I do.” Gavin ran a finger along CJ’s set jaw. “I’m done with that life, Ceej. There’s nothing for me there anymore, nothing but emptiness and loneliness and trouble.”

“How do you know you’re done with it?”

“Because I’ve been lucky enough in my life to have it all, and then stupid enough to throw it away and have to live with that. I’ve seen both sides. I guess some of us have to sink as low as we can sink before understanding what life’s really about.”

“And what’s life really about?” CJ asked.

“It’s about being with the people you care about most, about living in the present with honesty and no regrets.” Gavin managed a half smile. “Or at least as few regrets as possible.”

CJ stared up at him for a long beat and then pulled Gavin on top of him. “Then here’s to as few regrets as possible.”

And that was the last time they communicated, at least with words, for the rest of the night.

THE NEXT MORNING, Piper groaned her way out of bed at the crack of dawn. The new locks for the front doors on the cottages had arrived the day before and she wanted to get started on installing them.

And not because she hadn’t slept, thinking about Cam’s accusation that she was running scared. True, by the way, and she hated that.

She staggered into the kitchen seeking caffeine. She stopped short at the sight of Gavin and Winnie. “Seriously,” she said. “The two of you are starting to worry me.”

“I’ve got work,” Gavin said. “I’m working with Cam on the books. The job’s small, only a few hours here and there, which is great, but not enough for me. So I’ve also got a few other job interviews today.”

Piper blinked. “In Arizona?”

Gavin and Winnie exchanged a look. “No,” Gavin said. “Here. One in Wildstone, another in San Luis Obispo. Both IT entry-level positions with sucky wages, but they’re something. I want to be able to contribute to the household.”

“And I’m working too,” Winnie said.

“Oh? On another ambush?”

Winnie had the good grace to look a little contrite. “I was just trying to help.”

“Well, don’t.”

“Fine.” Winnie rose. “I’ve got to get to work too.”

“Where?” Piper asked.

“Here. And the good news is that I’m cheap. Free, to be exact.”