“I don’t think so. I can’t…” I scramble for the words. Can’t face him? Can’t think of what to say? Can’t imagine what Derek must think of me? “Act,” I finish. “Not with him.”

“No,” Shelby agrees. “And you shouldn’t. I got this one. Just stay close and let me take the lead for once.”

I manage a stiff nod and Shelby pulls us up to the porch, her face bright and eager. She releases my hand, clapping hers together. “Morning, everyone! Derek Riggs! What an amazing surprise! It’s been ages. Come here, you handsome devil! Give me a hug.”

Derek looks gobsmacked, and I can’t tell if it’s because of Shelby’s words or if he’s stunned by the megawatt movie-star smile she’s offering.

They embrace, and she kisses his cheek in a brotherly way, before looping his arm through hers. She pulls him to face the crowd, which includes the camera guy, Steve, and me. Shelby beams in my direction, making a show of waving me off. “I know, I know, you boys have catching up to do, but I’m not ready to let go yet. It’s not every day a girl gets twice the Riggs. Imagine the hate mail I’d get if I didn’t take advantage.” She turns to my brother, affecting a sweet pout. “So, Derek, please, please, please tell me you’re going to work some magic on our poor excuse for a front yard? This project is crying out for some curb appeal.”

If I hadn’t already been in love with Shelby, I would be a goner. I see what her dad meant about watching out for each other—holding each other up. He meant this right here. Because when you care about someone, you know just when they need you to step up and take the reins. Like jumping on stage to sing karaoke. Equal partners. A team.

Costars in life.

To his credit, Derek doesn’t flinch at the full-force blast of Shelby charm. Much. After a blink, when he’s undoubtedly trying to decide if Shelby is real, my brother goes on to describe his plans for the front acre. His tone is confident and knowledgeable, and once I’m able to move past the fact that he’s even here in the first place, I’m nodding along with his vision.

“I like it,” I say once he’s finished and I’ve recovered my ability to speak.

His green eyes, the same shade as mine, widen slightly but he grins, relieved. “Yeah?”

I studiously ignore the pang in my chest. “Yeah. Like Shelby said, the lot is a mess. It’s got gobs of potential, but it’s been left wild for too long. It’s a shame to do all this work inside and leave the outside looking like this.”