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Kayla snapped to attention. She pointed a finger at Jen. “We’ll talk later,” she whispered before wrapping her arms around both of us and stretching up on her toes to plant a kiss on my cheek. Then, without missing a beat, she started issuing orders with such authority she would make a drill instructor proud. She and Jen gathered up bags of decorations and headed outside. Just before she disappeared through the door, Jen looked over her shoulder, winked, and blew a kiss at me.

“That’s the most I’ve seen you smile in a long time.” Alex’s tone was casual enough, but he eyed me speculatively.

“A lot has happened since your wedding, but I think we’re in a good place now,” I said.

“You really hooked up after our wedding?”

‘It’s not as bad as it sounds.” He raised an eyebrow. I sighed. “Okay, it is what it sounds like. Cliché, I know, but we’ve both learned a lot about each other and decided not to deny what feels right.”

He stood up from the wall and crossed the room. He blew out a breath. “You know, I feel like I did when Mia and Brandon started dating.”

“What do you mean?” I crossed my arms and leaned against the counter in front of the sink, not certain how to take his comment.

Alex sighed. “Look, you’re my best friend. But Kayla thinks of Jen like a sister.”

“Yeah, so?”

“I don’t want to get in your business, Ty, but . . .”

“Just spit it out, Alex. You don’t want to get caught in the middle and feel like you have to choose.” I didn’t mean to sound as harsh as I did, but I was frustrated. I thought he’d be as supportive as his wife.

“Calm down. I’m thrilled for both of you. Secretly, I’ve always agreed with Kayla that you two would be good together. But I also don’t want to see either of you hurt.”

My arms came down, and I took a step toward him. “Hell, man! You know I wouldn’t do anything stupid. I really care about Jen. I would never knowingly do something that would cause her pain.”

He held both of his hands up. “You think I don’t know that, Tyler? This is me. I know you about as well as anybody. And I know once you commit to something, you do it with your whole being. It’syouI don’t want to see get hurt.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Look.” His words were spoken more evenly now. “I love Jen. I think she’s an amazing woman. But I’ve seen her bolt the moment someone gets too close to her. She already seems different with you, but I’m worried she’s still going to get spooked. Especially after everything that went down with Jake, she seems more closed off than she used to.”

I braced my arms on the counter and watched Jen out the kitchen window. “I know. I also know why.” Alex’s eyebrows rose up in surprise. “I can’t tell you,” I hastily added, “but we’ve had a lot of revealing conversations. Both of us.”

“I heard you played the piano for her. I guess that says a lot right there.”

“I did.” I briefly filled him in on how she’d convinced me to let music back into my life and how she defended me to my father.

Alex’s face relaxed. “Well, then. Good for her.” He slapped me on the back. “Nobody would be happier than me if things work out for you both.”

He grabbed a roll of blue streamers, and I followed him around to help hang them. Nothing more about Jen was spoken, but his words still resonated inside my head. Despite what I told him, I’d be lying if I said deep down I wasn’t worried about the same thing, but the heart doesn’t always listen to the brain. I was already in deep. I just prayed it wasn’t so deep I’d drown.