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The server came by, a cute twenty-something in black slacks, a vest and a white button down. He took our drink orders, and as soon as he left, Liv said, “Tell us about you, Farrah. And your kids! You have three, right?”

Under the table, Gage reached for my hand. “Farrah’s children are so talented. Her oldest is a great baseball player. The middle is an incredibly gifted artist, and I can tell her daughter, the youngest, is going to rule the world someday.”

My heart was so full it could burst. “They’re my best accomplishment, even though it’s been fun designing The Retreat with Gage.”

Henrietta said, “So two boys and a girl? I was the only girl, too, except I have three older brothers.”

“Do any of them live nearby?” I asked.

She shook her head. “My entire family’s back in California. I miss them like crazy, but luckily Gage has been generous enough to give us flight points so we can visit each other as often as we like.”

I squeezed Gage’s hand. See? Heart of gold.

“What do they think of the Hen House?” I asked. “Gage told me a little about it, but I’d love to see it.”

“They love it. Grandma keeps saying we should open one in California. Maybe someday.” Hen’s smile was wistful. “But you come visit any time. We’d love to give you a tour.”

Gage kissed my temple. “We’ll make the trip sometime. It’s definitely worth seeing in person.”

I smiled back at him. “I know Rhett works on a ranch. What do you do again, Liv?”

She frowned, taking a deep pull on her margarita. “I’m the assistant manager at a feedlot outside of Cottonwood Falls, but we’ll see how long that lasts. My boss is an asshole, and it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere.”

Gage gave her a sympathetic look, and I said, “That sucks. Any idea what you’d do instead? Are there other feedlots to work for in that area?”

She shook her head. “It’s kind of an old boys’ club. I had to work my way up at this one. I’m not really sure what else I’d do. I like working with kids, but all the germs at a daycare...” She shook her head. “Maybe being a nanny would be fun? I don’t know. There aren’t really a lot of options in a small town.”

I nodded emphatically. “The job search is rough, even in a big city.”

“So were you always an interior designer?” Liv asked. “Or did you stay home?”

Shaking my head, I said, “I was just a stay-at-home mom until the divorce.”

“Just?” Rhett said, shaking his head. “Our mom stayed home with us until we were all in school. It was the best damn thing she could have done for us. You should be proud of yourself.”

Gage squeezed my hand like he agreed, and my cheeks flushed. I’d expected this meeting to feel awkward. To be treated with skepticism for being a single mom dating a billionaire. But these people already felt like family.

* * *

The six ofus stayed at the Skylight Lounge for hours, talking and getting to know each other, and when I got back in the limo with Gage, I was so overcome with emotion. Could this really be coming true? Could I be getting an incredible man with a family that would welcome my kids and me with loving arms?

We cuddled in the back seat, despite all the extra space, and I looked up at him. “Thank you for that.”

He nuzzled his nose against mine. “They loved you.”

“I loved them. Rhett is hilarious. And Hen and Liv? I want them to be my best friends. Of course Tyler was so sweet, the strong, silent type. I think you two are most alike.”

He held my hand to his chest and then kissed my knuckles. Maybe there were too many words for him to say out loud, but I felt them all. Tonight was a step forward for us, a big one.

The ride back to his home went quickly, and when we got inside, he had me sit on his bed as he knelt to undo my heels. The action so intimate and sweet, it had tears brimming in my eyes.

When he looked up and saw the moisture, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

I wiped away the tears, taking his face in my hands, and kissed him, pulling him back onto the bed until he was over me.

He kissed me back, slowly gliding his tongue along my lips and deepening our embrace.

When we pulled apart, he looked at me, a question in his dark blue eyes.