“I think that’s what Sam wants,” I reply dryly. “And you already get it at least twice a week.”

“That’s hardly ever.”

“Yes, you’re incredibly abused,” Charly says with a roll of the eyes. “I’m so very sorry for you.”

“Well, maybe not abused,” Sam says, thinking it over. “Maybe mac n’ cheese abuse!”

I ruffle my son’s hair and help him dish up his plate before I dish up my own. But when I turn to do so, Rhys has already loaded it up, dropping scoops of everything when he scoops his own.

“Thank you.” I lean over and kiss his bicep, then look up to see Declan’s eyes on me. Of all three of my brothers, Declan is the most laid back. He’s the typical artist; very sensitive and easy going, but he can be just as fiercely protective as Beau or Eli, in his way.

But right now, his eyes are smiling, and his lips are quirking, and I know that I’m in for a conversation outside with him before we leave Mama’s house today.

And that’s okay because sometimes Declan gives the best advice.

“Mom, I don’t feel great,” Sam says softly. When I lay my lips on his forehead, it feels warm to the touch, but he’s not burning up.

“Do you think you got too much sunshine today?”

“Maybe.”

He’s picking at his food, and that’s not like him.

“Does your belly hurt?”

“No.”

“Have you felt like this for very long?”

“No, ma’am.” He takes a bite of rice and swallows, and he looks okay to me.

“I’ll give you some medicine when we get home,” I murmur and kiss his head. “Just eat what you want. You don’t have to clean your plate.”

“Do I still get dessert?”

“Yes, baby, you can still have dessert.”

“I think it’s just because you didn’t hug your Nannan when you came in,” Mama says and kisses Sam’s head as she passes him to her seat. “You don’t feel warm.”

“He might have overdone it today,” I say, a little worried. But my boy plays hard, and sometimes he just wears himself out.

“Charly,” Kate says, “I need some new shoes for fall.”

“Oh, sugar, I have you covered.” Charly tucks her hair behind her ear and rubs her hands together. “I have a whole slew of new shoes coming in later this week, and they are to die for.”

“Perfect,” Kate says with a grin.

“We’ll be there,” Van agrees.

“You should come with us,” Kate says to me. “You hardly ever come into the city.”

“Well, now that I have an employee, I might be able to do that,” I reply happily. “I’ll let you know.”

Suddenly, Rhys leans down and whispers in my ear, “Snag a pair of new fuck-me shoes.”

I grin over at him and feel my cheeks flush. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Done.”

***

“So talk to me about Rhys,” Declan says as he leads me into Mama’s back yard. We’re wandering through her gardens, on brick paths. As summer is coming to an end, the evenings are cooling off a bit.

Not cool by most people’s standards, but it’s not stifling.

“What would you like to know?”

“Everything.” He sighs and drags his hand through his longer hair. “How are you? How does he make you feel? Is he good to you?”

“Being the big brother.”

“And your friend.” He takes my hand in his and squeezes it lightly. “Always your friend, baby-doll.”

And that just brings tears to my eyes. I love that all of my brothers and sisters are also my dear friends. My best friends.

I don’t know what I would do without them.

“I’m doing very well,” I assure him immediately. “I’m happy. He makes me feel happy.”

“You look happy,” he says. “You look like you’re in love.”

“And I suppose I am.”

He nods, then frowns, as though he’s trying to find the words.

“Just say it.”

“It’s not that easy, Gabs.” He sits on a bench and leans his elbows on his jean-covered knees. He’s in a blue T-shirt, showing off the muscles in his arms.

Despite them being my brothers, I’m not stupid. I know they’re all good looking men. And I tend to be a bit protective of my Declan because his heart is softer than the others, and I’ll be damned if anyone is going to hurt him and live to tell about it.

“I love you, Dec.”

His head whips up, surprised.

“Where did that come from?”

“I just don’t get to see you often enough, and I miss you. I love you.”

“I love you too.” He rubs his fingers over his mouth, studying me. “Okay, so this is how I see it, as an outsider looking in. And keep in mind that I’m your brother too, so there’s that.”

“Oh boy.”

“You’re clearly in love with each other. The way he looks at you is how Daddy used to look at Mama.”

Oh. My heart goes all gooey and I bite my lip.

But then he keeps talking.

“And frankly, it worries me.”

I blink at him. “Wait. What?”

“It worries me, Gabs. What happens when he goes home?”

“I don’t know.”

My honest statement stops him cold. “But you’ve thought about it.”

“Of course I’ve thought about it. I know he’s not going to be here forever.”