Her smile was self-deprecating. “Nothing specific, but I can imagine. Dena’s not that.” The smile faded. “You’re the kind of guy who’s easy to fall for. Dena doesn’t have experience in your world, and that scares me. She’s tough and she always has a plan, but I don’t think she can prepare for the likes of you.”

He supposed he could have been insulted by her assumptions, but he was too happy to witness how close the sisters were.

“I would never hurt her,” he said.

“You might not want to, but to me, it feels inevitable. Are you staying in Wishing Tree?”

A question he’d never considered. Stay here? He liked the town and he certainly needed to settle somewhere. He was tired of avoiding the house in Malibu. It was time to do something about that.

“I don’t know.”

“See, that’s the thing. You need to know. I wasn’t kidding about having a plan. Dena likes them. They make her feel safe. She’s always had a plan—even about getting pregnant. Don’t play her.”

“I wouldn’t do that. I care about her.”

Reggie looked doubtful. “Sure. For now, but then what? I’m afraid you’ll get bored and walk away. I’m afraid she’ll be crushed.”

He didn’t want that, either. How could he get bored with Dena? She was always so easy to be with. Energetic and fun and sweet and funny and sexy. But that wasn’t Reggie’s point. She was telling him that he needed to get his act together and figure out what he wanted. That hearts could be on the line.

“You’re right about all of it. Thank you for talking to me. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

Reggie stared at him. “What does that mean? Are you being sarcastic?”

“No. Not at all. You’re right. I can’t just let things happen. I need a plan.”

“So you like her?”

“Very much.”

She shook her head. “This did not go the way I thought it would. I appreciate you not getting mad.”

“You’re looking out for Dena. Why would that make me mad?”

Reggie pressed her lips together. “Don’t take this wrong, but you’re way weirder than I’d expected.”

“Don’t take this wrong, either.” He leaned over and lightly kissed her cheek. “No matter what, never stop protecting her.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “I won’t.”