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most important relationships in our lives. Not with our wives. Or each other.”
    Every crew member nodded. Except Devon. Where did she fit in?
    “You’ll be joining us too.” Mike didn’t phrase it as a question.
    “I—”
    “Please.” Neil turned to her and enfolded her hand in one of his. With the other he reached for James, but his partner had taken a step back at some point.
    “Say you’ll come.”
    She sucked in a huge breath and held it as she considered the plea in his eyes. Next she analyzed the open invitation in each of the other guys’ answering nods. When she locked her gaze on James, she wavered. He stared at the juncture of her and Neil’s fingers, not into her eyes.
    “I don’t think…”
     
     
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    James lifted his head and scrunched his brows. “You have to come. Neil needs you.”
    “What about you?”
    “Let’s take that time to think first.” Mike stepped forward, breaking her connection with Neil. “Nobody say anything they’ll regret.” They shuffled toward the door then dispersed as they angled for their vehicles. She hopped into her truck. The door hadn’t shut yet when Joe, parked beside her, called softly, “See you Sunday.”
    “I don’t know where I’m going.” If that wasn’t the statement of the century she couldn’t have said what was.
    “I’ll email you directions. And if you need, Morgan and I will pick you up.
    We won’t let you get lost, okay?” He smiled.
    “Promise?” She wished she could hug him.
    “Yeah. I promise. And so do they.” He lifted his shoulder. She followed the invisible line he drew to where James, Neil, Mike and Dave watched their exchange with eagle eyes.
    “All right then. I’ll see you on Sunday.” She backed out of the driveway, surprised by the unshed tears blurring her vision.
    When had they come to matter so much?
    36
     
     
     
    Chapter Four
    Devon sat in the driveway, her truck parked behind the usual assortment of oversized construction vehicles. She tugged on the hem of her simple cotton dress, still wondering exactly what ensemble was appropriate for a clothing-optional facility. A solid hour and a half trying on everything in her modest closet—again and again—hadn’t made her any more confident she would avoid a fashion faux pas.
    At least Kate, Morgan and Kayla had seemed completely cool and relaxed the times she’d hung out with the whole group. They’d never make her feel out of place. Unless they disapproved of what had gone down at the job site on Friday.
    A giant sigh ruffled the short bangs framing her face. She reached over and retrieved the simple veggie assortment she’d prepared as an offering. Not like she could whip up her mom’s famous spice bread—her usual potluck contribution—when a professional baker would be in attendance.
    Pitfalls loomed around every twist and turn in her relationship with the crew. What the hell had she gotten herself into? Maybe she should bolt before they spotted her.
    “Need some help with that?” Mike’s greeting hammered the last nail in the coffin of her fledgling escape plans.
    Damn it.
    “Nah, I got it. Thanks.” She tried to smile. Her muscles were too tense.

    He ignored her and nabbed the tray from her hands. Good thing or she would have dropped it when she realized he strutted around the property in the buff. Muscles gleamed and flexed in the late afternoon sun.
    The smell of grilling burgers wasn’t responsible for her sudden drooling affliction.
    By the time she’d recovered even a tiny fraction of her wits, they’d reached the front porch. Kayla ran out to greet her with an enormous hug. Devon didn’t flinch from the warm skin that met her hands when she returned the embrace. In fact, the toned expanse of Kayla’s back felt soft and warm. Comforting.
    Something about Devon’s reaction must have clued Kayla in to her confusion.
    She retreated and narrowed her eyes.
    “Sorry,” Devon chuckled. “Not quite sure how this