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“Mom, we’re just friends.”
    “Oh sure.” Mom sent Sean a knowing look, and, oh God,had she winked too?
    Tori wanted to scream. This was going to be the longest week ever.

Chapter Three
    S EAN ’ S PHONE VIBRATED on the nightstand, rousing him from sleep. He reached over to pick it up but was pretty sure he knew who it was. Mike. He groaned. Who the hell else would text him at eight a.m. on a Sunday when he was still suffering from jet lag?
    Mike: How’s it going?
    Sean: Fine.
    Mike: Details?
    Sean: Are you really going to micromanage me? I told you it was going totake a little finesse.
    Mike: We’re on a tight schedule. Hollis already pitched her idea.
    Sean: Done deal?
    Mike: Not yet, but she’s closer than you.
    Fuck, fuck, fuck.
    Sean threw his phone back onto the end table and put his forearm over his eyes. Not good. If Hollis could get her show into production first, he was completely buggered. He needed to talk to Tori about this damn project, buthow? She’d been as skittish as a puppy last night. He’d enjoyed talking with her family, drinking their spectacular beer, and eating Kyle’s incredible food. Overall, it had been the most fun he’d had in months.
    But it could’ve been so much better. If Tori hadn’t looked as though she wanted to vomit the entire time. What was wrong with her? How had she gone from giddy happy with him to wantingto stab him in the eye with a spork?
    It couldn’t be anything he’d done. They hadn’t even been together. He knew her aloofness was because of her brother’s death, but she seemed no better now than when it had first happened. Yet the rest of her family appeared to be coping. Her mom had been a mess at first but was coming around, as was her dad. Sean had gotten a weird vibe from her parents—likethere was something going on between them—but it was just a feeling. He really had no idea, because Tori didn’t tell him a goddamn thing. His lack of knowledge meant he’d had a jolly time playing catch-up and acting like he knew things he didn’t, which had grown easier with every beer.
    He massaged his forehead, which felt a bit jumbled. He chalked it up to the beer and the jet lag and was justglad he’d found a place to stay. This bed was almost more comfortable than his, and he wanted nothing more than to lounge around in it all day. But he couldn’t let Hollis get the jump on him. He had a TV show to secure, and it wasn’t going to happen if he didn’t get his arse moving.
    He pushed himself up and instantly regretted the movement. On second thought, maybe it was mostly the beer. Somewherehe had a stash of acetaminophen. If not, he suspected there was some in the bathroom. Emily had said the place was fully stocked and to help himself. A cursory glance in the cupboards last night had said she wasn’t overstating that even a little bit.
    After finding the necessary medicine and taking a restorative shower, he felt much better. But God, he needed coffee. He could make some here orhead to the main house. Emily had invited him to come over for breakfast. Presumably the coffee was ready there, which made his decision spectacularly easy.
    What wasn’t easy, however, was figuring out how to approach Tori about the show. He hesitated at the door before leaving. He needed to make some progress today, but he couldn’t mention the show. Not yet. She was still too testy. And he hatedthat. He wanted to see the Tori he’d met. The Tori he’d fallen for. The Tori he knew was still in there somewhere.
    Wait, was he truly hoping for more than just the show? No, he was tired of waiting around. They could be friends, though. Couldn’t they?
    Yes, that’s what he’d shoot for. Today he’d focus on putting her at ease—good Lord she needed to relax. And maybe, if he were lucky, he’d gether to smile. He’d count that as success.
    He made his way down the stairs and let himself out into the wide drive. His apartment was housed in a separate building, while the