Recognition flitted across his face. His smile died, turning into something more somber. “Don’t thank me. It wasn’t easy. And I can’t promise to always be that strong.”

Clearing my throat, I changed the topic. “We should go inside before your family suspects there’s something going on between us.”

“We don’t have to worry about that. There’s no way they’d suspect that.” He turned and headed toward the house.

“Wow. That’s a bit harsh.” I jogged to catch up to him.

“TGIF!” A woman, I assumed his mom, opened the door. I was never part of a family that got that excited over Friday. I may have been a little envious in that moment.

“Hey, Mom. This is Reese. Reese, this is my mom, Laurie.”

“Hi, Reese. So glad you decided to join us. Come on in. There’s food and drinks out back.”

“Thank you so much.” I followed Laurie and Fisher through an open great room. Three young kids hopped down from the sofa where they’d been spying on us. We passed the kitchen to a sunporch and door to a covered deck where everyone else congregated.

I wanted Fisher to take my hand or put his arm around me. I felt naked in front of these strangers without some physical connection, a grounding of sorts.

“Hey!” The greeting from everyone on the deck was just as exuberant as Laurie’s.

“Hey.” Fisher turned, waiting for me to stop hiding behind him. “Everyone, this is Reese, Rory’s daughter. Rory is my tenant, for anyone who hasn’t met her. Reese is also working for me this summer. Reese, this is the crew. Pat, Shayla, Teena, Arnie … blah blah blah … let them introduce themselves. And don’t ask me to remember the names of the rug rats running around here.”

“Oh stop.” Laurie shook her head. “He knows everyone’s name. Grab a drink, Hun, there’s a cooler with pop and water and another cooler with beer and wine. We have burgers and brats on the grill.”

“Thanks.” I smiled at Laurie and looked around for Fisher. He was already down the stairs, playing a bean bag game with the kids.

Sink or swim for me.

“Beer? Wine?” The woman I believe he nodded to as Shayla, held open a cooler for me.

Did I look older, or did they not care?

“Actually, I’ll just have some water for now.”

“No problem.” She opened the other cooler and handed me a bottle of water. “So … I’m Shayla. Sorry Fisher is so clueless when it comes to manners. I’m his big sister. And Teena … chasing the girl in just a diaper down there is his other big sister. Our dad, Pat, is manning the grill.”

“I sure am,” Pat said while lifting the lid.