MIA SAT DOWN NEXT TO NATHAN AND RAN HER HAND over his back. “Everything okay?”

Funny how she could always pick up on his moods. “Yeah, it’s fine. How about you?”

She smiled at him. “I’ve had a fantastic dinner, and got to visit with your mom and Amelia. So far it’s been great.”

Nathan took a quick glance over the table. His mom and dad were busy talking with Flynn and paying no attention to them, so he smoothed his hand over her back. “Want to come home with me tonight?”

Mia gave him a questioning look, then shot her own glance across the table before answering. “That’s a loaded question.”

“Not really. Unless your answer is a flat-out no.”

“We have things to talk about.”

He arched a brow. “Things?”

“Yes. You know, about last weekend.”

He wasn’t sure he liked the direction of this conversation. “Okay. Let’s talk about them.”

“Not here, obviously. We’ll go to your place after we leave here.”

“Sounds good.”

What didn’t sound good was the direction of her thoughts.

Fortunately, they wrapped things up and his mom and dad said their good-byes.

“We’ll talk again, Mia,” his mom said as they hugged.

“Soon. I had a great time tonight.”

“Me, too.”

Amelia came out from the kitchen to say good night to everyone. Nathan hugged his parents.

“You want to come back to our house?” his dad asked.

“Uh, I have plans tonight.”

“Oh. Sure. Call me tomorrow.”

“Will do.”

After his parents left, Mia stood.

“Well, I’m going to head out,” she said, sliding a short glance at Nathan.

“Okay, see you later,” Nathan said. It was obvious Mia didn’t want to give his parents or Flynn any idea that they’d be meeting up later.

He was okay with that, but they were friends. It wasn’t a big deal for the two of them to hang out and he didn’t think anyone would blink twice if they’d left together. But he wasn’t Mia and he had no idea what was going on in her head.

So about five minutes later he said good-bye to Flynn and Amelia and headed out to his car. Mia was still there in the parking lot, leaning against her car waiting for him.

“Thought you’d already left,” he said as he came up next to her.

“That would be pointless since I don’t have a key to your house.”

“We can go to your place, ya know. Since you hate my décor.”

She snorted out a laugh. “Good point.” She pushed the button on her key fob and unlocked her door. “Let’s go to my place. Your fridge is probably empty anyway.”

“It is not. But I don’t have wine.”

She slid into the car seat and looked up at him. “Another reason we’re going to my place.”

Several clicks caught her attention and she looked over to see that same photographer she’d spotted in Napa.

“Nathan, that’s the same guy who was taking pictures of us last weekend.”

Nathan whirled around. “Yeah? Where?”

When she peeked around Nathan’s form, the man was gone. “He was right there, two cars away.”

Nathan wandered off to search the parking lot but the guy wasn’t lurking around. He came back to Mia and he could tell she was upset. Her arms were crossed tightly over her middle and her gaze kept darting left and right. “I didn’t see anyone, Mia. Are you sure it was the same photographer?”

“Yes. Mid-forties, short, light curly hair and glasses.”

“Wow, you’re good.”

She frowned. “At what?”

“At memorizing what people look like.”

“I just remembered him because I thought it was strange he was taking our picture. And then here he was again. I know I saw him, Nathan.”

“I believe you. But the pics he took of us in Napa never showed up anywhere. You said you searched online, right?”

“I did.”

“Then don’t worry about it. I’m not news.” Nathan grinned. “Not yet, anyway. Wait ’til the season starts.”

She rolled her eyes. “Nathan, this concerns me.”

“Okay. I’ll keep an eye out for him. And I’ll follow you home.”

“All right.”

He got into his car and drove behind her all the way to her place. When he pulled into Mia’s complex, he parked on the street, lingering to make sure no one had followed. There were no cars on the street at all. Satisfied the guy hadn’t followed them, he walked with Mia up to her door.

Once inside, Mia made a beeline for the kitchen and began uncorking a bottle of wine. He followed her and watched her work, enjoying the sight of her gorgeous legs as she reached up into the cabinet for a glass.

She’d worn a dress tonight, a navy blue one that skimmed along the edges of her knees and hugged tight to her body. He’d wanted to put his hands on her and smooth his palms over the soft fabric, but since his parents had been there, he’d resisted. Plus he wasn’t sure what the boundaries were between Mia and him yet. They’d had that fun weekend in Napa and hadn’t talked about it since. He knew what he wanted, but he had to be sure she wanted the same thing.

She had amazing legs. He could imagine them wrapped around him as he thrust into her. The thought of the two of them tangled together made his dick twitch.

She glanced over at him. “You want a beer?”

He wanted her. But for now, he’d settle for a beer. “Sure.”

He went into the kitchen and Mia handed it to him.

“Let’s go sit down in the living room.”

He cocked his head to the side. “I hope the next thing you say isn’t ‘We need to talk.’ Because that’s the kiss of death.”

She laughed. “It isn’t, doofus. Though I would like to talk about that photographer. That worries me.”

She kicked off her shoes and tucked her legs underneath her, then took a sip of her wine. She looked relaxed, which made him feel better. He didn’t want her upset about some dumbass photographer who didn’t have a picture of anything other than Mia and him talking at her car.

He took a long pull of his beer. “Tell me what’s bothering you.”

She inhaled and let it out. “You. Me. What that photographer has in mind with those photos.”

“Babe, there’s nothing in those photos other than you and me having a chat in the parking lot. It’s not like there’s anything scandalous. We weren’t making out, I didn’t have my hand up your dress and you weren’t sucking my dick.”

She spit out a laugh. “Nathan.”

“Okay, so maybe that was the direction my mind was going over dinner tonight.”

“While your parents were there? Nathan. I’m shocked.”

“No, you’re not. Tell me you didn’t think about the two of us together.”

She took a sip of her wine, and he saw the desire in her eyes. “Maybe. But I’m also conflicted.”

“In what way?”

“Our friendship. You know what that means to me. And now I’m also wary of stalking photographers and what that could mean.”

“The photographer means nothing, and we’ll always be friends. I think you’re just trying to avoid having sex with me again.”

She lifted her chin. “Utter bullshit. And I think you have a penis ego problem.”

He gave her a confused look. “Huh?”

“Your penis has an ego. You and I had sex last weekend and because I didn’t immediately jump right on board for another go at it, your penis is offended.”

He laughed. “Oh, is that it?”

“Yes.”

“Uh-huh. You wanna know what I think?”

“Of course.”

“I think you’re trying your damndest to keep from diving into the zipper of my jeans to get to my awesome dick.”

She rolled her eyes. “I went three years without your dick, Nathan. I’m sure I can live without it for three more years.”

“So the sex sucked.”

She laughed. “It did not and you know it.”

“If the sex blew your mind you wouldn’t be telling me you want to be just friends.”

“I never said I wanted to be just friends.”

He leaned back. “So what do you want?”

“I . . . don’t know exactly. This all happened so fast and we haven’t had time to talk about it.”

“Do we have to analyze it? Can’t we just go with it and see what happens?”

She looked at him like he’d suddenly started talking a language she couldn’t fathom. “Of course we have to talk about it. We need ground rules and . . . things.”

He raised a brow. “You mean you’ll need to add a section in your planner for ‘Mia and Nathan’s Relationship’? Will there be bullet points?”

She shoved at him. “You know, sometimes having someone know you so well can be a detriment. No, moron. What I mean is I need to think about this. We need to talk about it. Are we in a relationship? Are we still friends? Are we going to get emotional about this or are we just having fun? And yes, dammit, I will be making notes in my planner about it.”

His lips curved and he laid his beer down, took her wineglass from her hand and set it on the table, then pulled her onto his lap. “You know, I love that you’re so analytical about everything, Mia. It’s who you are. But sometimes, you just have to let things happen.”

She wound her arm around his neck. “Sacrilege.”

He grinned, then kissed her. And when she turned and pressed against him, and he felt her body surrender to him, it was all he’d wanted, all he needed. He swept his hand down her back, soaking in the softness of her, breathing in the sweetness of her scent.

When he pulled away, she gave him a confused look. “You stopped.”

“Yeah. I don’t want you to think I’m in this just for the sex. Because we do have a friendship, Mia, and that’s important to me, too. I want to fuck you. But I want to date you, too.”

She sighed. “That’s such a lovely thing to say.”

He laughed. “Is it?”

“It is.” She laid her palm on his chest. “I want to fuck you, too. And date you. And be your friend. And have wine and beer with you and do everything with you.”

“Everything, huh?” He smoothed his hand over her dress. “Did I mention you look hot as fuck in this?”

“You didn’t mention that. But thank you.”

“Look. I get that you’re angsty over this change in our relationship. You’re worried for nothing, Mia. I can’t imagine not being friends with you. And the sex is good. Really good. Right?” As he spoke, he ran his hand along her thigh, then slid it up her back. She responded by leaning into him, so he knew damn well she was affected by his touch. He needed her to at least acknowledge that.

She inhaled a deep breath, and let it out. “Right.”

It had taken everything he had to stop kissing her, but he wanted her to understand there was a lot more to them than just being fuck buddies. He knew the friendship part was important, and he could take things slowly. Even if slowly meant he’d go home with his dick hard tonight.

He slid her gently off his lap.

“You’re really okay with this?” she asked.

“No sex. Just hanging out with you tonight? I’m always okay with it.”

He picked up her remote and turned on the television, then watched TV with her for an hour or so before leaving. He never wanted her to think he was with her only for the sex, though after all these years she should already know that. When she started yawning, he got up, said good night and left her with a kiss on her forehead.

“See you later,” he said.

“I’ll see you, Nathan.” He saw the regret on her face, and for some reason that made him feel better.