“We could get a place,” he offered and her eyes widened.

“I mean, shit, Jordie, can you take me on a date first?” she joked and he chuckled.

“Just saying,” he said and she grinned. “But what are you doing tomorrow night?”

“Whatever you are,” she decided and he grinned back.

“Dinner and movie? Maybe some surfing on the realty site before I make you scream all night. Which, in return, would lead to more teasing by your family, which would lead to you wanting your own place.”

“You’re insufferable!” she said, throwing an empty cup at him. He caught it, laughing as she said, “I don’t know. That seems a little crazy.”

“No, crazy is getting married.”

She gave him a deadpan look. “Well, duh.”

“But I’m down for that too.”

“Oh my God, please tell me that’s not how you are proposing to me,” she groaned, shaking her head.

“Nah, but just saying.”

“I can’t handle you right now, you’re giving me whiplash,” she said, shaking her head. “But yes to the date, and maybe to the screaming sex if it goes well.”

“Oh, it will, and I don’t think we’ll make it home,” he said, his eyes dancing with desire.

“I like the way you think,” she said, licking her lips. “But we’ll have to take your truck, my car won’t give us enough room.”

“Good thinking,” he agreed before getting their plates out of the microwave just as a knock came at the back door.

Setting them down, he looked at the door as she got up, a bewildered look on her face. “I wonder who that is,” she said as she went to the door. She opened it and he watched as her face twisted in confusion as she said, “Liam?”

“What the fuck is he doing here?” Jordie called out, and Kacey waved him off as Liam rolled his eyes. He looked a mess, not his usual, put together self. Though what surprised her most was not that he was there, but that he was holding flowers. What could he possibly want?

“I know it’s late and I’m sorry I came by unannounced, but I need to see you,” he said, holding out the flowers. She took them, confused, as he said, “I wanted to talk to you. I feel like earlier I didn’t really get to express how much it would mean to me for you to go with me. You didn’t give me much of a chance to talk.”

“I thought it was pretty cut-and-dried, Liam. I’m sorry, but I don’t know what to say right now.”

He nodded. “I know. Can I come in?”

She knew she should say no, but before she could say anything, Jordie yelled out, “No.”

Turning to glare at him, she said, “Hush, you.”

“What?” he asked innocently. “Why does he need to come in?”

To her surprise, Liam barreled in, glaring at Jordie. “Why does it matter to you?”

Letting out a sigh, she knew this was going to get ugly if she didn’t control the situation, but unfortunately—and, of course—Karson and her dad had come into the kitchen.

“What’s going on?” Karl asked. “What the hell is he doing here?”

Karson looked at Kacey. “No, really, what’s going on?”

“Nothing, it’s fine. Everyone just chill out,” Kacey said, holding her hands up before placing a hand on Liam, but he shook it off. “He’s leaving.”

“I’m talking to you, Thomas!” Liam yelled.

“Or not,” she groaned as Jordie came out from behind the counter, but thankfully Karson stopped him.

“Oh, you’re talking to me?” Jordie scoffed, looking down at where Karson’s hand lay. “What?”

“Just precautions. This looks like it could get violent,” Karson said before looking over at Liam. “I suggest you leave.”

“No, I want to know why it’s any of his business why Kacey and I talk. We had something special. She should be going with me to New York—”

“See, that would make sense. But she doesn’t love you, she loves me,” Jordie said, cutting him off, and Kacey covered her face.

Why was this happening?

“Oh, so you did break up with me for him,” Liam accused and she shook her head.

“No,” she said, but Jordie thought differently.

“Of course, she did. You can’t make her feel an ounce of what I make her feel.”

“Jordie, stop,” Kacey warned. “That’s enough. And Liam, I didn’t break up with you for him. It just kinda happened that I got back with him the same day I broke up with you. I never planned it, and I know that sounds bad, but really, that’s how it happened.”

“Sure, it did,” he seethed and she shook her head.

“I’m telling you the truth,” she stressed, but she could tell he didn’t believe her.

“I put time into you, I love you, and I thought I was doing right by you. But you’re gonna pick some drunk asshole who’s more than likely gonna cheat on you left and right? Why? Explain that to me?”

“Liam—”

“It’s pretty simple. I can make her come, you can’t,” Jordie said and Liam glared.

“Really, Jordie?” she yelled and he shrugged.

“Yeah, because you practice on every woman in the world. Shut up, I’m not speaking to you anymore,” he snapped back.