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“Wait, aren’t you staying for coffee?” Emi struggles to get free and stand.

“Not this morning. I’m going to help Leslie, but tomorrow, I’ll take you up on the offer.” He turns to leave, but not before flashing me that all-knowing smile.

Once again, he understands. It’ll be a while before we make it up to his house.

“You did what?” I glare at my best friend with fire sear

ing in my blood.

“I dropped off my stuff at the cabin on my way up here,” Marcus repeats, finishing off his beer.

“You can pick it right up on your way home.”

“No can do.” He shakes the empty bottle in my face. “No drinking and driving.”

“Well, take your sorry ass to your parents’.”

“Emi already approved.” He raises an eyebrow as his lips start to twitch. “She’s making everyone breakfast tomorrow.”

Of course, she is…

“Man, you look ready to kill. What’s happened to you?” He opens the cooler and gets us both a fresh bottle.

“I wanted one weekend alone to relax. Don’t take it personally.”

“I don’t take it personally, but your mom is the one who sent out the PJIH message. Once I knew your quiet getaway was hijacked by Leslie, I jumped in the car. Although, I’ll admit my bag was packed by the door. I had no doubt, once she met Emi, all bets were off.”

I groan, thinking of my mom and her ‘Praise Jesus, It’s Happened’ messages.

PJIH- Walker’s graduated.

PJIH- Walker’s out of basic training.

PJIH- Walker wasn’t hurt on deployment.

PJIH- Walker’s being discharged and coming home.

And now—

PJIH- Walker’s met a woman.

“Doesn’t mean you need to stay with us tonight. Your parents are four miles away.”

“Don’t want to disappoint Emi. She’s already looking forward to breakfast.” He grins into the rim of his bottle.

“You do realize the term open invitation doesn’t apply to this weekend, right?”

I look across the patio to find Emi eyeing me suspiciously. She’s surrounded by women on the other side of the pool, where she’s lounging on an outdoor papasan with Micky on her lap. It’s obvious she knows what I’m thinking by the scowl that forms on her face.

“Give me a minute.” I leave Marcus and go to her, my eyes never moving. When I’m at her side, I slink between a few women who are chatting loudly and kneel down so only she can hear.

“You encouraged Marcus to stay with us?”

“I did. He’s your best friend, and I want to make him and your parents breakfast in the morning.”

“Why? We are supposed to be chilling out, alone.”

“Why? Because it means something to me. This is going to be our life—which, by the way, I love. He’s your best friend, and I hardly know him. I want this, Walker, all of it.” She says it with such conviction, I decide to let my irritation go.