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“Can I have a sugar daddy?” Wyatt’s on a roll.

We all burst out laughing.

“Maybe when you’re older,” Austin says.

“Honestly, guys,” Jennifer, always the more serious of my kids, says. “This conversation is not suitable for children. Would you quit already?”

“Oh, come on, Jen.” Austin’s the polar opposite of his oldest sister. “Don’t be so buttoned up. Or is the self-partnership no longer working out for you?”

“I don’t want Wyatt and Lucas to hear any more of your inappropriate chatter, that’s all.”

“Myinappropriate chatter? Heather started it, for your information.”

“Uncle Austin’s right,” Wyatt says, defusing the situation instantly with his remark.

“Thanks, buddy.” Austin holds up his hand for a high-five.

With a smile on my face, I lean back in my chair. This has always been what having four kids has been like. At each other’s throat one second, ready to forget all about it the next. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

CHAPTER5

NORA

“Why am I going to dinner at this woman’s house?” I’m talking to Izzy, who can’t bear to be in another room when I’m home. “How did this happen?” I pace through my walk-in wardrobe. “Here I was, convinced I had perfected the art of saying no.” I crouch and pick up my dog. “What the hell am I going to wear? And does it even matter?” Izzy quirks up one eyebrow. “You’re right. It doesn’t.” I pick out a colorful blouse Juan would approve of and one of many pairs of jeans.

Izzy briefly whimpers when I put her down, but I need to get dressed. For some reason I can no longer recall, I’m having dinner with Michelle St James at her house, while I’d much rather spend my Saturday night at home with my dogs in my lap—there truly is no other place I’d rather be.

It’s been a long week of rehearsals. We’re starting to shoot soon, which is always exhausting. I need some extra me-time to adjust to the change in my schedule. Instead, I’m having dinner with a woman I barely know and, as time ticks away, I find myself more and more inclined to cancel. But I’ve waited too long. Chad, who babysits my dogs, informs me that my car has arrived.

On the way over, I call Juan for some words of social-interaction wisdom and encouragement.

“It’s never a bad thing to spend time with an exec, darling,” he says. “Or with the son of an exec. Trust me when I tell you I’m working that as hard as I can.”

I already know his and Austin’s first date was a dream date worthy of the most romantic movie.

“We’re seeing each other again tonight.” Juan’s voice softens. “Apparently, all his sisters are hella jealous.”

“Of him dating you?”

“Of the connection with Nora Levine, who is universally adored among the St James siblings.”

“You really like this guy, huh?” I can tell that he does, which is why I’m asking.

“He’s just so dreamy, Nora. And I’m not sick of him yet.”

“Wow. And that after one date,” I joke.

“This might be a thing. I don’t know. It’s making me a little nervous.”

“Juan Diaz, say it ain’t so. Are you experiencing that most elusive of things? Romantic feelings for another human being?”

“Now you make me sound like a monster.”

“Just like someone with pretty obvious commitment issues, darling.” I could do this with Juan for hours. He has that effect on me. We’d only be rehashing a version of the conversation we’ve been having for years. But my car is slowing down already. Traffic is light and it’s not a long drive from Bel Air to Beverly Hills.

“We’re here, Miss Levine,” the driver says.

“My carriage has arrived, Jay. You be good tonight. Don’t break my new boss’s son’s fragile little heart.”