I smiled. “Oh, so you don’t want to know that he’s so good in bed he quite literally blows my mind every single time?”

“I can’t think of anything I want to know less,” Preston said dryly. “And now I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look him in the eye again.”

“You’re welcome.” I blew him a kiss. “So what’s this about Leo coming home?”

“Why do you care about Leo?”

“Is he bringing Ethan?”

“And it all makes sense.”

I held up my hands. “Sue me. I’m a nosy bitch.”

“You won’t get an argument from me.” Preston pulled a stool beneath him and sat down. “Him and Ethan are on temp contracts in the garage they’re in, and apparently it’s already getting fucking cold in Chicago. They’re coming back just before Halloween in a few weeks.”

“Wow. No wonder Ava was a hot mess yesterday. I tried asking her at lunch and she bit my head off.” I pulled a bag of Sour Patch Kids from under the counter and opened it. “I just figured she was on her period.”

“You’re sharing way too much information today.” He shook his head and turned the bag of candy toward him to steal some. “All right. So your non-boyfriend is having dinner with us tonight, Leo and Ethan are coming home, and Ava is about to lose her shit. Is that about it?”

“Unless Halley has any new developments since she started feeding the raccoons a varied diet, yep.”

“Can’t wait,” he drawled. “Nothing can possibly go wrong in this town, can it?”

***

“So you’re a firefighter,” Aunt Bethel said, staring at Noah across the table.

This was a terrible idea. Preston had tried to warn me, but had I listened?

No. No, I had not.

I wanted Noah to spend time with my family. I wanted him to feel comfortable in Creek Falls and like he wasn’t alone anymore.

I probably shouldn’t have done that with Aunt Bethel around.

“Yes, ma’am,” Noah said.

“And you have all those things on your arm,” she continued, staring at his tattoos.

“Aunt Bethel,” Dad said. “Don’t be rude.”

She turned to him, pursing her bright red lips. “I’m not being rude. I was about to ask him what they were.”

“So where are we watching the game this weekend?” Preston interrupted before she could go any further. “You watched one at the bar yet?”

Noah shook his head. “I haven’t been out much. I usually catch the game at home with a few guys from work or by myself.”

“You a Panthers fan?” Dad asked him.

“Yes, sir.”

“Then we have to go to the bar,” Dad continued, putting an end to it. “They’re pretty much the town team, and the owners are big fans, too. They show all the games. You’ll love it.”

Noah glanced at me, and I smiled. “He’s not wrong. I’ve watched a few there when I’ve been dragged along. Everyone gets drunk and coach-coaches the team.”