Nate had that faraway look in his eyes again.

Her lost boy.

Sally squeezed his middle, trying to pull him out of it. His expression made her want to cry.

He never spoke about what he was thinking, but she was pretty sure when he looked like that, his mom’s death was running through his mind. Sally had lain next to him when he dreamed. She’d heard his murmured whispers.

Although it had been twenty-six years ago, Nate had never gotten over his mother’s death.

Clearing her throat, Sally nudged Nate with her hip until he blinked and looked down at her. She smiled and winked at him, which made his lips twitch the way they always did around her.

She loved their secret smiles and magnetic connection.

She’d felt it the first time she met him. He’d been standing in the ER waiting room, scribbling messy notes on his pad, working a case. Someone had been brought in after a vicious assault, and he was in the process of interviewing the victim’s family, trying to solve the case as quickly as possible. It was always his way. He hated injustice more than anything, and finding criminals drove him in a way that even she didn’t understand.

He’d been so intense, listening to the traumatized family as they waited for news of their precious son. His voice had been soft and even, applying just the right amount of pressure to get the answers he needed.

Sally had stood transfixed, falling hard before she even knew his name.

Her family never understood it. They’d never fully welcomed Nate into the fold, always wary of the man of few words who wore a frown more than a smile. They didn’t get what Sally saw in him, and she’d given up trying to explain. Maybe because it just got too damn hard.

It didn’t help that Nate always found work excuses to get out of “family time.” It didn’t help that Nate found work excuses to get out of everything.

The knot in her chest tightened and she blinked to hide her frustration.

She didn’t want her family knowing how lonely the days could be. How she didn’t know what to say to Nate to make him understand that she missed him, that she wanted to be more important than his work.

Her parents and siblings didn’t need any more reasons not to like her brooding boyfriend.

“Should we go sit in the living room?” Sally tugged on Nate’s waist to lead him out of the kitchen.

“I don’t know,” he murmured. “Will your brother try to kill me with one of his death rays?”

Sally giggled. “Oh, come on. Just ignore him.”

It was easier said than done. Emmett was a large, imposing force, which was what made him such a good Marine. The funny thing was, he and Nate were more alike than either of them would admit. They were both quiet, motivated by justice and very protective of the people they loved.

If only they could see it.

Nate reluctantly followed Sally to the living room, giving Emmett and Xavier a tight smile before sitting in the corner of the couch. Annabelle placed a plate of pre-dinner snacks on the coffee table and gave Nate a demure smile before tucking the skirt beneath her legs and sitting down.

Xavier and Emmett were battling it out in a game of verbal banter. Sally shared a grin with Annabelle and sat down to enjoy the show. Threading her fingers through Nate’s, she tried to get a word in edgewise but she didn’t know enough about Warcraft to have any input. That was the one area her brothers played well in—video games.

“Forever boys,” Annabelle mouthed and rolled her eyes.

Sally giggled and stole a glance at Nate. He was watching the brothers, scratching the edge of his mouth and looking thoroughly left out. She wanted to nudge him, to encourage him to join in the conversation, but she knew deep down that her brothers would never make room for him.

It freaking hurt, but she didn’t know how to fix it.

Besides, Nate wasn’t into gaming.

The doorbell rang and Sally shot her sister a quizzical look.

“I don’t know.” Annabelle shrugged while Xavier groaned and tipped his head back.

Annabelle and Sally let out identical laughs before asking, “What?”

“It’s gonna be…”

“Oscar!” Their father’s voice was loud and cheerful as he greeted the guest.

“Oscar! What is this, Surprise Sally Night?” She grinned, just as her father walked into the living room with his arm around a good-looking man dressed in a charcoal suit and tie. He was tall, elegant and lean—like a slightly older version of Xavier with dark, styled hair and clean-shaven cheeks.

Oscar Plymouth was one of her dad’s favorite employees. He’d been working at the Chicago office for the past two years, and often flew in to visit the Richmonds. Being from England, he had no other family nearby, and her father had taken it upon himself to look out for the guy. It wasn’t a hard task. Having been raised in a British boarding school, Oscar had the manners of a prince. He was sweet, charming, intelligent and easy to love.

Which was exactly what the Richmond family had done—loved him, welcomed him, practically turned him into one of their own.

“Hey!” Sally jumped up to give him a hug. “It’s so nice to see you. I didn’t know you were in town.”

Oscar lightly pecked her cheek, then acknowledged Nate with a grin. “Great to see you here.”

“Thanks, man.” Nate nodded, his lips rising into a half smile. “You in town for the whole week?”

“Actually,” Michael patted Oscar’s chest and the younger man grinned, “Oscar’s moving here. He’s going to help oversee the Richmond Apartments project near the college.”

The smooth Englishman laughed at Sally’s expression and glided a hand down her back. “I thought your father would’ve told you guys. Xavier knows.” He pointed to Sally’s younger brother.

Sally glanced across the room. Xavier had been gunning for that project. It had practically been his idea. Richmond Construction had already built one big apartment complex near the community college to provide affordable housing for students, but with AFCC expanding its course offerings, enrollment was up and there was need for more, especially larger units that could accommodate young families or multiple roommates.

Xavier would have assumed the project manager role was his, especially since he had played such a huge part in getting it off the ground. The poor guy had been desperate for any and all kinds of responsibility since leaving high school, but his father kept pushing him aside, blaming immaturity. Last time they’d had a drink together, Xavier had been sure that this would be the year their father would finally give him a more important role in the company.

But no such luck.

“Wow.” Annabelle raised her manicured eyebrows. “Big project.”

“Oh yes indeed. It’s a little overwhelming, but your father has great faith in me.” Oscar slid his hands smoothly into his pockets and winked at Sally before looking to Xavier. “I think Xave and I will make a great team.”

“You’re on the project?” Sally’s voice rose with excitement.

“Yeah.” Xavier gave her a tight, plastic smile. “I’m assisting. I guess you could call me Oscar’s wingman.”

Their father boomed with laughter, no doubt trying to kill any tension, and Sally’s mother swooped in to peck Oscar on the cheek and ask him what he’d like to drink.

“Please, take a seat. Annabelle, move over.” Sally’s mother gave Oscar’s arm an excited squeeze. “Why don’t you catch them up on where you’ll be living? I’m sure we’ll all want to stop by and see your little place.”

“Of course. You’re all welcome.” Oscar’s gaze glided around the room, including Nate in his invitation.

Sally’s chest expanded with relief. Oscar had always been so nice to Nate. Having him in town for a while would be great. Maybe he could lighten up the rest of her family.

Oscar beamed her a smile, unbuttoning his jacket as he took a seat next to Annabelle and asked how her salon business was going.

Sally reached for her wineglass and quietly sipped it while conversation ebbed and flowed around her. She pitched in when appropriate and laughed when the jokes started flying. Even Nate got in on the action, grinning beside her when Oscar started sharing a work mishap that captivated the entire family.

Yes, having Oscar in town for a while was a very good thing.