Derek agrees to take on the Caroline Street project, after I make the trip out to his place and ask in person. He might’ve agreed without the extra step, but it was well past time I made the effort. I’ve been stewing in low-key humiliation from the way I froze when he surprised me on camera. I’m sure it looked fine, especially since Shelby smoothed everything over, but I felt like a dick. I admitted to this, in between tossing my niece and nephew around in the air and accepting the Tupperware full of leftovers courtesy of my sweet sister-in-law.

“She’s a better cook than Dad, even,” Derek confesses. “It means I have a lifetime of dish duty, but I can’t complain. You’ll see what I mean.”

And I do. I really do. Her lasagna will make Shelby drool. No wonder my mom wanted to move closer.

In the end, Derek doesn’t love the idea of being on camera. But I’ve been able to cushion the blow a bit. I’m no longer an awkward asshole every time he enters the room, so he’s more at ease on film, and I can admit that I like having him around. He’s like me but, in a lot of ways, better. Instead of bothering me, though, it (mostly) makes me want to learn from him and see if I can’t figure out how to stick around in one place, even when things get uncomfortable. Like when Derek’s kids hid from me because, duh, I was a complete stranger. Or when I accidentally called my brother “Dad” while we were recording a talking head about the driveway.

Yeah. That was something.

So, it’s not exactly comfortable, but it’s a start, and Shelby was right. Derek seems to be looking at me differently after seeing me jump in front of and behind the camera. He even stayed late one night to help me finish the front porch railing.

“You made this?” he asked, impressed, surveying the finished product, his tanned arms crossed over his broad chest where the Riggs & Son logo is scrolled.

“I did. Well, I bought the spindles. Shelby can turn these, but it would take more time than we have, and I had to prioritize the nook.”

“It looks good, Cam. Michelle is gonna want one after this episode airs. You’ll have to come over and help me put it up.”

“I’d be happy to, as long as she makes some more lasagna.”

Maybe there’s hope for us.