The ranch had four guest rooms in total, and each one had its own patio door, something I discovered when I walked out there after my shower. It led to the same view, the same deck, the same pool as before, and it was another thing that made me wonder about King’s comment regarding entertaining guests. That many guest rooms and they’d obviously put a lot of thought into comfort. Two chairs and a small table outside each guest room’s patio door too. And I didn’t know if King had set an ashtray on my table or what, but it was there.

Suddenly I was extra thankful I’d been smart enough to bring a gift for King and Camden, because this trip was turning out to be precisely what my soul needed.

The sun was dipping lower over the hills, painting the sky orange and purple.

I hadn’t gotten dressed yet. I’d taken one look at the sky once I was outta the shower, wrapped a towel around my hips, and brought my smokes outside.

I was responding to a text from Nicky when I heard the main patio doors slide open, and King stepped out, dressed and ready for a barbecue. He had to be one of the most beautiful men to walk this earth. Jeans and flannel had been replaced by dark dress pants and a light-blue button-down tailored to his body.

“There you are,” he said. “I’m already regretting gettin’ dressed.”

“I couldn’t help myself,” I responded honestly. “It’s fucking gorgeous out hea’.”

He smiled and came to a stop next to me. “May I?”

He held out two fingers, which meant only one thing. I handed over my smoke, wondering—but never mind. He took a drag from it.

“Don’t tell anyone.” He coughed a little and returned it to me. “Camden and I both quit four years ago.”

Shit. “My bad, I didn’t mean to tempt—”

“It’s fine.” He waved me off and sat down in the other chair. “My sister smokes, so I keep the ashtrays around. And sometimes I sniff her a little bit.”

I let out a laugh.

“You know, for claiming youse don’t entertain much, you’re kinda treating me like royalty,” I said. “I’m a simple man, King. No need to roll out the red carpet.”

“Like royalty?” He was going to argue with me… “I was just thinkin’ in the shower—I haven’t even had the decency to ask if you’re hungry.”

My turn to be dismissive. I happened to be hungry as fuck right now, but it hadn’t crossed my mind before. Besides, work was always too busy, and I hadn’t exercised, according to the shitty diet I’d been keeping since Nicky moved out. I could stand to lose a few.