I closed my eyes and hummed as she curled my hair. I loved it. I had always loved it.

“I should have told you to invite Brendon.”

My eyes opened. “I’m not sure my feelings for him are the same as his are for me. I think he’s great. And we do fall into the easiest conversations, but I don’t know if there’s more. At least for me. So I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.”

“Oh, sweetie, I think you’re just not seeing it. Oftentimes, the greatest friendships turn into beautiful love stories. So I’m not saying he’s your forever, but I want you to always keep your heart open to let love grow. Not everything in life starts with sparks and flies to the sky in a wave of butterflies.”

“Were you and Dad friends first?”

“No.” She laughed. “Those were sparks.”

“Clearly, those sparks worked for you two.”

She nodded slowly, hesitantly. “Until it didn’t.”

Because you went to prison.

I opened my mouth to ask her why. Why was she growing marijuana? Why did she risk everything for drugs?

But I knew Rose and Tiffany were on the screened-in porch waiting for us. And Fisher was upstairs taking a shower.

It wasn’t the right time.

“There.” She unplugged the curling iron. “You have the most beautiful hair.” She loosely ran her fingers through my dark curls to relax them just a bit, giving my hair a beach wave look.

I grinned. “I have your hair.”

“Only better.” She kissed my cheek. “Let’s go eat. Would you mind running upstairs and knocking on Fisher’s door? Tell him everyone is here and dinner is ready.”

“Sure.” I held my enthusiasm inside. Go get Fisher?

Yes, please.

As Rory carried a tray of drinks to the porch, I ran upstairs and opened the door. No Fisher in the kitchen. So I listened for him as I made my way to his bedroom. Just as I reached for the handle, he opened it.

A whoosh of his clean scent nearly made my knees give out on me, not to mention his killer smile.

Jeans. Tee. Wet hair.

He glanced over my shoulder as if to see if anyone else was upstairs with me.

“Dinner is ready. And your date is here.”

“Where is here?” He gave me a quick once-over that I felt.

“Downstairs on the porch.”

Pursing his lips, face so serious, he nodded several times. “Well, get your sexy ass in here.” He grabbed my arm and yanked me into his bedroom.

“Fisher!” I yelled a little louder than intended. I wasn’t expecting him to do that.

Or shut the door behind us.

Or toss me onto his bed.

Or dive onto the bed after me.

I flinched. “Eek!” I curled my body, not completely trusting him to not squash me.