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I ran across the sidewalk and took a flying leap into his arms. Matthew caught me easily, swinging me around while hugging me tight to his chest.

When he set me down, I squeezed his biceps. My ex had always been good looking, but he looked especially fine today.

“What are you doing here looking like a hot Suit Daddy?”

He rolled his eyes. Matthew was one of the only people who knew I liked to read billionaire boss romances from time to time. Thanks to his lucrative job with a private equity firm, he only wore expensive custom tailored suits.

“I had business in Houston, so I thought I’d drive down and surprise you.”

I heard a throat clearing next to us and turned to see Jim glaring at Matthew, his hands curled into fists like he was considering punching him. I’d seen joking Jim, turned on Jim, serious Jim, freaked out that he just crashed a forklift Jim, but this was a Jim I’d never seen. He was so puffed up with aggression he seemed two inches taller.

“Jim, did you meet Matthew? Matthew, this is my…friend Jim.”

“Ah, so this is Jim,” Matthew chuckled. “That explains a lot.”

Matthew and I were close enough that we told each other everything, which is why he knew about the horseback riding trip and the sanitized version of what Jim and I did there. Or didn’t do.

Jim continued glaring at him, which only made my ex-husband look more amused.

“What’s with that face, Jim?” I asked, waving my hand in front of him.

“You never mentioned that you had a husband,” he grit out.

I laughed and smacked Matthew on the belly. “What have I told you about scaring off guys by pretending that we’re still married?”

“It’s a good test,” Matthew said with a wink.

“Matthew and I have been divorced for what? Over ten years? He’s married to someone else now.”

“Then why is he here?” Jim asked suspiciously.

I kind of liked this overprotective version of him. Way more than I should. Technically Jim had no reason to question my visitors and quiz me about my relationships.

“Matthew is my best friend,” I said. “Anyone who’s in my life has to accept that.”

Jim’s eyebrows rose at the implied warning in my tone, then he took a deep breath and, in an instant, easy going Jim was back.

“Nice to meet you, man.”

The words were good, but his tone was a bit forced. Jim stuck his hand out to Matthew and as the two men shook hands, I could see them both gripping the other way harder than they needed to.

“Okay, well if y’all are done swinging your dicks, I could use a drink. It’s been a day and it’s hotter than the gates of hell out here.”

“Hey, that was your first y’all,” Jim said proudly. “That deserves a drink.”

“Do you want to join us?” Matthew asked.

Jim looked between us, then gave me a small smile. “Nah, I’ll let you two catch up.”

Matthew’s eyebrows rose in surprise, and I saw a hint of grudging respect on his face. “Okay, well maybe I’ll see you around, Jim.”

Matthew followed me to my apartment, waiting in the living room while I changed out of my work clothes. With him in a suit, I didn’t want to look schlubby next to him, so I changed into a cute sundress and a pair of sandals, glad that I’d shaved my legs recently.

“You look gorgeous, Jordy,” my ex said when I came out. “Where should we go?”

“There’s a pretty nice brew pub a couple of towns over that Jim’s friend Lillian told me about,” I said. “They’re supposed to have great burgers.”

“That sounds perfect.”