She meant to close her eyes for only a minute. Just rest them long enough to garner enough energy to kiss Raylen good night. All good dates ended with a hot and heavy kiss that would hold a promise that he would call again. At least they did in the movies. When she opened her eyes, sunlight was streaming in the window and Gemma was standing beside the recliner with her hands on her hips and a grin as big as Dallas on her face.

“Good morning,” Liz said weakly.

“Looks like it!” Gemma smiled.

Raylen opened his eyes slowly. “Guess we fell asleep. What are you doing here?”

“Lookin’ for you,” Gemma said.

“Why?” Raylen asked.

“Because you didn’t come home last night and there wasn’t a note or a voicemail message. Remember what we agreed? We are adults and we don’t have to answer to each other for our time, but if we aren’t coming home then leave a message so the other one doesn’t worry,” she said. “So this is who you had a date with?”

“Yep,” Raylen said.

“A date or dating?” Gemma asked.

“I promised to leave a message. For not doing that, I’m sorry. The rest is my business,” Raylen said.

“I don’t like it,” Gemma said.

“Get over it,” Raylen told her.

“Why?” Liz looked at Gemma.

“Because it complicates our friendship, Liz. You can’t tell me details of your dates since you were out with my brother,” Gemma answered.

Liz grinned but she didn’t move from Raylen’s lap. “You want details? We went to the Olive Garden, and I had fettuccine and Raylen had spaghetti, and Becca showed up and she doesn’t like me, but that’s okay, I understand, because Raylen doesn’t like Blaze either and I’m not sure Blaze is going to like Raylen.” Liz stopped and caught her breath. “And then we shopped at Hobby Lobby, where I bought that tree over there in the box. And then we went to Walmart, where I bought a truck load of presents. Are you any good at wrapping? If so would you help me get them done later today? And then we came home and unloaded it all and fell asleep. Did I leave anything out, Raylen?”

“I kissed you in Hobby Lobby. I think if we kissed in Hobby Lobby, it’s dating, not a date, isn’t it?” he asked.

Liz’s expression went dead serious. “There’s a sign on the Hobby Lobby door right under the one with the hours the store is open. It’s written in that little bitty print that no one hardly ever reads, but I did before we went in.”

Gemma butted in, “What are you talking about?”

Liz held up a palm. “Let me finish. The print says anyone not dating will be charged with a misdemeanor and a hundred dollar fine if they are caught kissing in Hobby Lobby. But since Raylen didn’t see the sign, maybe it isn’t a law. I’m not sure if both parties have to see it or not.”