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Bobby’s mouth spreads into a wide grin and he honest to God blushes. “That does not freak me out. And thank you. That sounds ... great.”

Liz hasn’t said a word since I got there. She keeps staring at me.

Roxie clears her throat. “I think maybe Liz and Joe might want to chat for a bit, and that will give Trey and Bobby a chance to get to know each other, and me a chance to not be a fifth wheel and do some scouting of tonight’s local talent.”

Bobby gets up so Liz can slide out of the booth and stand right next to me. Trey takes her place right next to Bobby.

Liz gets closer to me and finally whispers, “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for the company-sponsored Happy Hour. Same as Roxie.”

“You work for Qpik?”

“Yeah,” I say. “But I guess you didn’t know that.”

“I didn’t.”

“I’m sorry. I suppose it never really came up.”

“I interviewed at Qpik a few weeks ago,” she says. “That’s how I met Roxie. She introduced herself to me in the bathroom and now we’re, like, this tight.” She wraps her middle finger around her forefinger.

I smile. “Roxie does seem like a woman of action.”

“I can’t believe I didn’t know you worked at the same company as Roxie. And that you’re friends.”

“I mean, I know her a little. She’s pretty friendly and it’s easy to remember her since there are so few women developers.”

“Seriously, Larson?” Roxie jumps in, clearly having eavesdropped the whole time. “I'm only memorable because I'm a female developer? Not because I'm an absolute delight?”

“Joe’s a delight,” Trey chimes in. “A mountain of delight.”

I shake my head and turn my attention to Liz. “You gonna be okay if I sit with you? I honestly had no idea you would be here.”

“I know,” says Liz. “I’m actually ... really glad to see you.” She strokes my upper arm. I look down at her hand, and she pulls it away.

I lean down and whisper into her ear. “You can keep touching me, you know.”

“My brother is here,” she replies, just as quietly.

Bobby clears his throat. Everyone can hear everything in this goddamn place. “Speaking of your brother,” Bobby says as he looks me in the eye, “what’s your relationship to my sister?”

I smile, looking at Liz. “We are friends. Very close personal friends.” Liz smacks me on the upper arm, her mouth ticking up in amusement.

Bobby smiles, his eyes darting between Liz and me. “It’s all making sense now. Kudos, Lizzie.” He then shakes my hand and says, “We haven’t properly met. I’m Lizzie’s favorite brother Bobby. I’m not going to threaten you in case you hurt her because I obviously cannot kick your ass, but I will say that I am rooting for you because you’ve made her very happy. Don’t mess it up, because Lizzie is the best. Okay?”

“Okay.” I smile.

“Good. Carry on then.” He sits back down next to Trey, who is mooning up at Bobby like he’s the second coming. Bobby looks a bit shy but very, very interested. The amount of teeth those two flash at each other would make nine out of ten dentists employ them in a toothpaste commercial.

“Okay, lovely paired-up folks, this is my cue to leave,” says Roxie, grabbing her drink and purse. “Good to see you, lawyers. Elizabeth, I expect a full report tomorrow or whenever you get off this ginormous man.”

Liz grins and blushes, very much the same way Bobby did earlier, and the family resemblance is adorable.

“If you don’t mind,” Trey says, “I think Bobby and I might want to go somewhere away from the Qpik prying eyes. What do you two think?’

“What do you say, Liz? You want to come to my place?” I ask.

Liz’s seems worried. “Bobby?”