“I’m serious.” Fable grabs my hand and pulls me into a fierce hug. “I’m so proud of you. You’re doing an amazing job here. Colin gushes about you to everyone all the time. He’s such a sap.”

Tears threaten and I blink them away, irritated with myself. I’ve been an emotional mess lately. I blame the constant driving back and forth, overseeing the new restaurant’s opening. The stress and the excitement and the anticipation—it’s all combined to make me a complete wreck.

A happy wreck, though. Life is good. I have friends who care about me. I’ve attempted to contact my parents and though we’ve talked only briefly, I plan on going back home and seeing them someday soon. It’s a step in the right direction. Our relationship isn’t ruined forever, but it’s definitely not perfect. I need to fix it. They need to fix it too, and I hope they realize how their neglect affected me.

Colin promised he’ll go with me back to Shingletown. He says he’s ready to see his mom again too.

And then there’s Colin. He’s so supportive, so encouraging. I don’t look at his treatment of me as coddling or controlling any longer. It’s just his way, a way that I’ve come to accept. He just wants to take care of those he loves. And he loves me. Passionately. Whole-heartedly.

Completely.

The dreams have mostly stopped. Of course, I’m in bed with him every night and I think that helps. But I also believe he’s found peace with Danny’s death and let go of all the guilt that weighed him down. He confessed to me what happened between him and Danny the day my brother joined the military. As if it were some sort of deep, dark secret.

I’d suspected some of it but never had any confirmation. Danny had seemed irritated with Colin before he left. I’d tried to ask why, but he always cut me off or worse, told me it was none of my damn business.

So I left it alone.

Colin was so relieved after making his confession, he hugged me close in bed and proceeded to cry against my chest. Shedding his tears, shedding his guilt. Afterward, he admitted he felt cleansed and that he was so thankful for my easy acceptance.

As if he had no idea his easy acceptance made it that much more possible for me to deal with what I’ve done. The choices I’ve made. He doesn’t hold them against me.

He just . . . holds me. And tells me he loves me.

Constantly.

“Break it up, break it up.” Colin approaches, using his stern boss voice, saying what he always does when he finds Fable and me together. “Don’t you two need to get back to work?”

“I’m here as a guest,” Fable says smugly. “So no bossing me around tonight.”

“And I run this joint,” I say teasingly. “Or haven’t you heard?”

“Who’s the crazy guy who put you in charge?” He slips his arm around my shoulders and kisses me, his soft, warm lips lingering. I lean into the kiss, then step away, slowly shaking my head. “Hey, I need to maintain a certain image here, you know? No kissing on the job.”

“Well, that’s a damn shame,” he drawls, smiling at me. The sight of his smile sends a bolt of longing through me so strong, I nearly sway toward him.

“Stop, you two. You’re making me sick,” Fable says, wrinkling her nose.

“Gimme a break,” Colin says, rolling his eyes with a smile. “Where’s your boy toy? I know you two can’t keep your hands off each other.”

“He’s scoping out a table with Owen.” Fable stands straighter, her expression going serious. “Thanks for giving me the night off and letting us come for the opening tonight, Colin, and for hiring Owen part-time. He’s so excited to start working at the restaurant he can barely stand it.”

Colin hired Owen as a busboy. He’ll start after the football season ends, right when the busy holiday season starts. He’s applied for a work license and everything, taking his first real job very seriously. Fable is so happy she can hardly stand it. She’s trying so hard to keep her brother on track, as is Drew.

I love that Colin wants to help them out too. He’s careful, though, never wanting to offend Fable since she can be kinda prickly when it comes to so-called handouts.

No wonder we’re such good friends.

He likes Owen a lot and is confident he’ll be a great worker, and so am I. All five of us have hung out together more than once. Colin and I have invited all three of them over for dinner. Drew and Colin seem to be getting along well too, which I think is awesome. Fable, Drew, and Owen—they all feel like they’re a part of my family.

So does Colin, but he’s always felt like family to me. Now we’ve taken it that much more seriously . . .

He’s become my everything.

“I’m gonna put that brother of yours to work,” Colin promises Fable, his arm lowering to slide around my waist. He pulls me in so I’m nestled at his side. We’re a perfect fit and I gaze up at him adoringly. “I know he can handle it, though.”

Fable nods and smiles, her gaze going from me to Colin. “You two are so damn cute together. Took you long enough.”

“I’m pretty sure you’ve already said that to us,” I remind her wryly.

“And it needs to be said a few more times, I think.” She steps toward us both and kisses my cheek, then Colin’s. “I gotta go find my men. I’ll talk to you later, Jen?”

“I’ll need you to rescue me, yeah,” I say as she waves at us and then walks away.

“She’s a good friend,” Colin says close to my ear.

I nod, smiling up at him. “The best. But so are you.”

He kisses me, like he can’t help it. “Right back at ya, baby.”

Warmth suffuses me, his love taking hold and giving me the courage I need to keep on top of this night, on the most important day of my career. “I need to go manage the front entry,” I tell him, kissing his cheek. “Wish me luck?”

“No.” He drops a kiss on the tip of my nose as I glare at him. “You don’t need it. You got this and you know it.”

I love his confidence in me. I freaking need it, especially right now. I’m a wreck. “I’m nervous,” I whisper. “So thank you for that.”

“Anytime, babe. You know I’ve got your back.” He hugs me, his mouth at my ear, nibbling on it. “I love you. So much.”

“I love you too.” My heart swells, and the nausea that plagued me the last hour or so evaporates completely.

Having this man by my side, I’m the luckiest girl in the world.

Colin

I watch her move about the restaurant, handling everything with calm efficiency, and pride ripples through me. She greets everyone who enters the door with a warm smile and introduces herself to the chamber of commerce members we invited for The District’s grand opening.

The parking lot is full, yet the people keep on coming. A local radio station set up outside, broadcasting live and encouraging their listeners to come and check us out. Every table is occupied, the bar is at full capacity, and the front lobby has so many people waiting to be seated they spill outside, waiting on benches, their kids dancing to the top-forty music the radio station is playing.

It’s a rousing success, all thanks to Jen. I wanted her to stay here in Redding permanently, more than willing to sacrifice and endure a long-distance relationship so she could take on this management position. She’s so damn good at it, I’m afraid the guy I have lined up to replace her won’t measure up.

Of course, no one can measure up to my Jen.

She refused, though. Simply told me she couldn’t stand to be that far away from me. She loves me too damn much and didn’t want us to be apart.

How can I refuse her?

“Hello, son.”

My spine stiffens, and I slowly turn around to find my dad standing before me.

“Hey,” I greet him weakly, giving him a quick hug. “How are you?”

“I’m good. Look at you, all dressed up. Quite the restaurant you have here. Looks good.”

“Thanks.” He drives me crazy, but I can’t help but be proud at his meager compliment. He took his father’s restaurant and turned it into something more. And I’ve gone and done the same, over and over again. I want him to be proud of me. Despite our tangled past, I’m still the kid who wants his dad’s approval.