Rocco’s expression said that he called bullshit. His words proved it. “Let me give you three reasons why you should stay,” he said tightly. “One, you should be tattooing for our family legacy, at The Canvas Shop. I miss you there, big time. And you could be working at the marina here in San Fran, as well. You remember Jake?”

“Of course.” Diego and Rocco had gone to school with Jake, who’d gone straight into the military after graduation and had come home a paraplegic. He now owned and operated a fleet of tourist boats near Pier 39.

“He’d hire you in a hot minute to do what you’re already doing for someone else.”

“I like San Diego.”

“Which brings me to points two and three,” Rocco said. “San Diego doesn’t have me. And even more importantly, San Diego doesn’t have Daisy.”

Diego shook his head. “It’s not that easy, Rocco.”

“Again, bullshit.”

* * * *

Back on his boat late that night, Diego had to shake his head. He’d somehow been talked into hanging out at the tattoo shop the next day before his next wedding task, which was picking the wedding band from the final five. Because according to Rocco, if he let Tyler do it, a decision would never get made. Diego’s head was spinning, and he had to keep repeating the words he’d given Rocco—it’s not that easy…

But then he thought about how it’d felt to be with his brother again, how much he liked seeing how happy he was with Tyler, and how it would feel to have them back in his life.

Then he thought about Daisy, and how right it’d felt with her the other night. And not even just in bed, but out of it, too. Talking. Laughing. Just being… It’d all felt shockingly right.

It’s not that easy…

Nothing ever was, not in his experiences.

But maybe…just maybe this time it could be.

* * * *

The next evening, he was just getting off his bike in front of Daisy’s place when she stepped outside in a long-sleeved knit dress that clung to her curves in a way that made his mouth water. Or maybe that was her knee-high black leather boots. She was shrugging into a leather jacket when she saw him and froze.

“What are you doing?” she asked. “I assumed we were meeting at the first venue.” She had a list in her hand and looked at it. “The band’s going on in thirty minutes.”

“Yes,” he said. “I got the same list. But mine says to pick you up.”

They stared at each other.

“You know,” she said slowly. “I’m starting to smell a rat.”

“Two of them.”

She pulled out her phone and hit a number. She put it on speaker and tapped her toes impatiently. “Hey,” she said when Rocco answered. “Why didn’t you tell me you were having Diego pick me up?”

“I’m sure I mentioned it,” Rocco said.

“You didn’t.”