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Chet feigned confusion. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about. We don’t see horror movies. You don’t like them.”

With an exasperated huff, Lydia continued to insist. “No, seriously. It’s that one with the actor you really like.” She reached for her phone but stopped short when Tate cut through the din of other conversations.

“No phones at the table, Lydia. You know that.”

She huffed and leaned in closer to him, barely above a whisper. “I know you’re messing with me.”

He chuckled, and she pulled back to grin up at him. These were the moments he lived for. When she looked at him and smiled. As if she trusted he’d always be there for her no matter what. It was nice to be needed, to be the person she was safe with. To be that one in her life who could make her forget her troubles.

Jason’s eyes were on him, and he glanced that way. He’d regret it, but he did it anyway. What registered first was surprise. Jason wasn’t looking at him as if he wanted to throttle him. Instead, he was appraising, as if working a problem. While the conversation around him ebbed and flowed, he continued darting glances at Lydia who was laughing and chatting as if nothing was amiss.

Every so often, her hand would land on Chet’s forearm, and she’d look to him for a reaction to something someone said. When he gave her the reaction she wanted, she’d go back to paying attention to whoever was speaking.

Chet wasn’t sure if that was a good sign or not. At least he wasn’t getting death glares.

Once dinner was over and everyone spread out to mingle, Jason pulled Chet aside. They moved to the living room and sat back on the couch while Tate and Brent were in a deep discussion about the rodeo at the table.

The girls were chattering on, their laughter spilling through the rest of the house as they cleaned up the table and started on dishes.

“You like her.”

Chet barked out a quiet laugh. “I already told you this.”

“Yeah, but I thought you just meant…” Jason sighed and scrubbed his jaw. He leaned over and rested his forearms atop his knees. “You like her a lot.”

“Yeah, I do,” Chet drawled. “Look, I don’t know why you’re bringing this up. I told you I’d agree to keep things friendly rather than pursue her. I’m keeping that promise.” He moved to stand up but what Jason said next had him freezing to his spot.

Jason frowned. “You make her happy.”

Chet’s eyes flicked to the kitchen where Lydia was laughing with the other four women. She glanced his way. Was she as attuned to him as he was to her? She grinned and gave him an exaggerated wink. One side of his mouth quirked upward. “I hope so.” It was all he could muster under the circumstances. “And she makes me happy.”

“How serious are you about making it work?”

His head whipped around so he could stare at his friend, but Jason gave nothing away. Was he suggesting that Chet could take his shot? He didn’t dare hope, while at the same time he wasn’t sure he wanted the power back in his hands. If Jason wasn’t standing in his way, then Chet only had himself to blame if he ended up missing out on an opportunity of a lifetime. “What are you asking me, exactly?” he finally managed.

Jason moved in his seat. He looked almost as uncomfortable as Chet. But then his eyes met Chet’s, and he gave a curt nod. “It’s like I said before. You’re a good man.”

“You also said that if we weren’t working together, this wouldn’t even be an issue. So, what changed?”

Jason glanced toward his sister in the kitchen. “Lydia.”

Confusion snaked through Chet. Had she spoken to him? He was about to ask when Jason continued.

“She’s been having a rough go of it since the last guy.” He stopped there. “Anyway, I see the way she is with you. And if you think you can make her happy, if this is something you really want, I’m not going to stand in your way. You should ask her out.”

Stunned, Chet stared at his friend. He had no idea how to react. This wasn’t what he’d been expecting by a long shot. “You’re certain.”

Jason’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t make me regret it. This could blow up in our faces in a way we can’t even predict.”

Chet nodded. “I’d never hurt her, you know that, right?”

Jason considered him for long moments, then he gave another nod. “I know. It’s clear you care for each other. I’m one of those people who can appreciate the potential a relationship has when it starts with a friendship as strong as the one you two share.”

Chet bit back a grin. He didn’t want to show how excited he was over this change of events. If he came off overeager, Jason might change his mind. For now, he was content to accept what he’d been given. “Thanks, man.”

His friend nodded again. “Don’t blow it.”

Chet gave him a double take. Then he chuckled.