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a new place often triggered nightmares. “Yes.” 
    I was never good at lying.
    “Come on.” He wrapped his arm around mine and headed for my bedroom where we curled up together as I tried to swallow the burning lump of tears that fought for release.

Three
    Georgia

    “HONEY, I'M HOME!” Drew's voice sang as she opened the front door the following afternoon. Earlier that morning I'd scrubbed out the fridge, then gone to the grocery store to stock up on food and drinks. I'd also bought cheap utensils and dishes and was now arranging the kitchen. Silas had just finished washing the main floor windows and was sweeping when my dark-haired pixie of a best friend arrived.
    I set down the glasses in my hands, skidded to the front door, and wrapped Drew in my arms.
    “God, G, I’ve missed you so much.” She held me tightly as we rocked back and forth. Tears sprang to my eyes as I inhaled her familiar perfume.
    “Me too. I'm so glad you came. Your hair is shorter.” I held her at arm’s length and took in her layered brown bob. “I love it.” 
    Drew was obstinate, opinionated, and self-centered, but she, much like Silas, had the ability to set me straight. She told it like it was unapologetically. She and Silas were also the two most hilarious people I’d ever met, so unlike me I couldn’t help but be drawn to them.
    “Drew,” Silas said behind me with a curt nod. I rolled my eyes.
    “Silas.” She rolled her bright blue eyes before a smile broke out across her face. For all their bickering I think they really enjoyed each other.
    “Great house. Give me a tour?” Drew looped her arm in mine and we headed down the closest hallway.
    “I’ll take you to your room first.” She dropped a bag off in the bedroom I was giving her before we made our way through the sprawling house. At each room we talked paint colors and design schemes. My degree was in hospitality with a focus on interior design–I was in my element. After the tour we made our way back to the kitchen and found Silas making margaritas.
    “It’s a proper girls’ night already,” Drew said as Silas poured the frothy drink into glasses. “Thanks for letting Gavin come, Georgia. I know it’s weird since you haven’t met him, but he’s great. You’ll love him.”
    “Can’t wait to meet him.” I sipped the cold drink.
    “Tristan’s great too, and off-the-charts hot.” She rested her hip against the counter and took a drink.
    “Who’s Tristan?” I asked.
    “Is he single? How old?” Silas buzzed, suddenly all ears.
    “Twenty-seven, single, and straight .” Drew shot Silas a warning look.
    “Perfect, and not a problem.” Silas winked at her.
    “Tristan is Gavin's best friend. They’re in business together and working on a project they need to log hours on this summer. Plus he’s going through this thing ― so I told him that you wouldn’t mind if he tagged along.”
    “Drew.” I frowned.
    “What kind of thing?” Silas cocked an eyebrow.
    “Lady trouble. He just needs to get away for a while, put his past in the past kind of thing. You’re not mad are you, Georgia?” Drew pouted.
    “Kind of weird that I don’t even know him…”
    “Do you think I would invite a lunatic? Gavin's known him since they were kids.”
    “Technically I don't even know Gavin,” I reminded her. She only pouted in response.
    “He's great. They both are, plus the more muscle we have here this summer the less we’ll have to do.” She tapped her temple as if she'd had a stroke of brilliance. I heaved an exasperated sigh. That was Drew…living in the moment and getting us into situations we probably shouldn't be in. Maybe it had been a good thing she'd been ten hours away in Jacksonville the last few years.
    “When are they coming?”
    “Hopefully soon,” Silas said flirtatiously. Drew shot him a scowl.
    “This weekend. Gavin’s driving and Tristan’s sailing up the coast.” She wiggled her eyebrows at me.
    “He has a boat?” I