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as she asked for their order.
    “We’ll both have the crab cakes.”
    She eyed Becca like she wanted to make sure he wasn’t ordering for her without her permission, but Becca and Nick had ordered the same thing everywhere they went for years. They’d learned a long time ago that if they didn’t, they’d only want whatever the other one had and end up switching plates, so they’d made an agreement to get the same thing and save each other the whole spectacle.
    “That’s it.” Becca’s eyebrows went up again and the waitress’s eyes fell on Nick, and Becca repeated, “I said that’s it. We’re done ordering.”
    Nick’s gaze traveled back to his best friend in confusion. “What was that?”
    “She was staring at you like you’re a celebrity.”
    “Well, I am. Didn’t you hear? I’m the reason they put in that traffic light on Green and Main. They should build a monument in my honor.”
    Becca laughed, the moment easier to sit in, but Nick had to wonder where this was coming from and why it sounded a hell of a lot like jealousy. But Becca had never once hinted at any interest in Nick. There was an unspoken agreement between them that they couldn’t go there, and neither of them had—despite Nick’s thoughts drifting there more often than they should.
    “So, like I was saying, did you watch Crazy Cane’s latest on chemtrails?”
    Crazy Cane was an anonymous YouTuber who videoed all kinds of conspiracy theory things, then uploaded them to his channel of millions of subscribers like Nick and Becca, who both loved a good conspiracy theory.
    “You’re such a nerd.”
    “So are you and you know it. Now, did you watch it?”
    She leaned in closer. “You know I did. The question is why would the government spray crap all around the sky for no good reason?”
    Nick matched her lean. “It isn’t for no good reason. It’s to hide whatever would have been seen. They’re keeping something from us.”
    “Did you hear what you just said?”
    “I did. Look, I’m not in business mode right now. Give me a break.”
    “Well, can you at least try for English?”
    Nick laughed as he rose up to take a drink from Becca’s straw. Her gaze hit his, and he realized how close he was to her. If he moved a few inches, his lips wouldn’t be on her straw—they’d be on her mouth.
    Swallowing, because clearly his beer was hitting him too quickly, he cleared his throat and sat back down. “It’s good.”
    “It is, but they put too much rum in it, or whatever they use to make it. I’m going to pass out and you’ll have to carry me to your car.”
    Nick’s eyes danced with mischievousness. “But then how could you be sure I wouldn’t take advantage of you?”
    “Because you’re you,” a deep voice said from behind them, and Nick turned to see Trip and Emery standing there. “Care if we join y’all?”
    Nick’s jaw tightened. “It’s a two-person table.”
    “We need to talk about this.”
    “Not here.”
    “Hey, Nick.” Emery leaned down to kiss his cheek.
    “Hey, Em. Doing okay?”
    She smiled. “I am.” Then she walked over and kissed Becca’s cheek, too. “Hey, Bec.”
    Becca hugged her, and they all sat in awkward silence for a moment, before Becca nodded to the table beside them. “You can pull up that table.” Nick glared at her, but all she did was glare right back.
    “I thought you said y’all worked this out,” Emery said to her husband.
    “We did,” Trip said.
    Nick laughed sarcastically. “Right. How’d you know I was here anyway?”
    “Saw your car.”
    Nick eyed Becca. “We should have taken your car.”
    “Still would have known it was you. You two are attached at the hip lately. If Becca’s not at the diner, you’re usually with her.”
    The back deck had filled up now, the evening crowd out, and the last thing Nick wanted was for them to hash this out in the open like this, with half the town’s ears pricked for some good gossip. The brothers had agreed to maintain