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“Life, huh? You don’t have to punch a clock. You’re my friend.”

“Thanks.” Josh nodded.

“I want to thank you for what you’ve done for….” Nadia jerked her chin toward the bedrooms. “You saved him.”

Josh shrugged. “He’s been working pretty hard.”

“Uh-huh.” Her gaze held him for a long moment, steady and knowing, before she turned to the fridge. A high-pitched sound came from the pantry. “That’s Mr. Poops.”

At first Josh had no idea what she was talking about, and then he felt something weave between and around his legs. Sure enough, a plush orange tabby with a fluffy plume of a tail looked up at him with giant eyes and squeaked plaintively, like a starving orphan in an infomercial. “Mr. Poops?”

“Don’t believe any of his pity-party con job. He pretends he’s starving, but he’s eaten his weight in kibble the past six hours.” She bent and scooped up the cat, cradling him against her chest. “He tricks Tyler into double feeding him because someone is a big mushball. Isn’t he, Poops?” The cat started purring and rubbing his face against her throat and ear. “Can I get you anything? Coffee? Breakfast?”

“Actually, I plan to drag your brother to eat up at Tia Tamale,” Josh replied, feeling his cheeks warm under her scrutiny. “Or, uhh, you could come with. I mean, if you want.”

“I’m good. It’s all good. I love that place.” Nadia’s lips curved into a teasing smile. “Tyler could use someone to count on right now.” She paused, her eyes twinkling. “Someone special.”

“Hang on.” Josh swallowed hard. “I’m just trying to help.”

“Of course you are, Joshua.” She patted him on the arm affectionately before turning away, leaving him to wonder how much she remembered about his feelings for her brother. “And I’m just trying to help you.”

“Sorry.”

Just then, Tyler appeared at the top of the stairs. His damp brown hair looked almost black, his shirt stretched by the muscle. His shoulders seemed to brush the walls of the small hallway.

“Hey, man! You ready?” Tyler asked, his hazel eyes alight with anticipation.

“Absolutely,” Josh replied, glancing at Nadia and her blissed-out con-artist cat. “Let’s hit the road.”

“Play nice, boys,” Nadia called after them as they headed out the door.

“Was Nadia giving you crap?” Tyler asked, his gaze flicking between them.

“Nothing I can’t handle,” Josh replied with a grin. “Now, let’s go buy some produce. We’ve only got an hour at the farm stand, after all.”

As they climbed into the truck, Josh reminded himself to keep a lid on his feelings, past and present. He knew it wouldn’t be long before Tyler split back to his fancy NFL life in San Diego and everything went back to normal, but for now, he’d savor this moment, this brief window of time when everything he’d ever hoped still felt possible.

The highway stretched out before them, a scatter of clouds casting odd shadows that slipped across the blacktop. Josh gripped the wheel of his truck, stealing glances at Tyler as they drove east toward Ocotillo Heights. Anticipation made it hard to focus on the road.

“Man, it’s been ages since I’ve been up this way,” Tyler said, gazing out the window.

“Getting out of town for a bit will be good for both of us.” Although he said it casually, Josh needed this day to be perfect, to find a way to bridge the gap between them without revealing too much.

“Where’s this farm stand at?”

“West of Ocotillo. I think the main building was originally built for crop storage, but stalls popped up and it grew into a farmer’s market. And then a whatever-the-hell emporium.”

Tyler poked him and winked. “My favorite kind.”

As they pulled into the bustling farmer’s market, the scent of fresh produce and spices filled the air. They hopped out and walked over to the entrance table to pay their five-buck entries. Josh noticed some double takes at Tyler’s famous face, but for the most part folks left them alone.

After so many years, this place had become a huge draw for anyone within a thirty-mile radius, guaranteeing a mix of farmers, old hippies, and funky artists who gathered here each weekend to buy and sell. People milled about, examining weird handmade gifts and sampling food from various stalls. Tyler’s eyes widened with excitement as they wandered through the vibrant chaos.

Josh nodded at the entrance. “I hope you’re hungry.”

“Can we look around first?” Tyler seemed fascinated by the cheerful mishmash of it all. His grin kept getting bigger as his eyes roamed from stall to stall.

“Of course! Trust me, you won’t be disappointed,” Josh replied, grinning. “They got food trucks, a swap meet, and games for the kids. They even do a maze at Halloween.”