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“I’ll measure it out and write down the instructions. Take it today, and call me tomorrow to tell me how you’re feeling. And give yourself time to recover before you cross again. The headache going away doesn’t mean you can start over that evening.”

“I understand.”

“I hope so.”

She explained how to prepare it and what he needed to watch for afterward. Nate opened a note on his phone and wrote it down. She was sending instructions too, but having something to do helped him keep quiet and listen.

“Mom?”

“Yes?”

“Could you keep this between us? Jonah can know about the tea. I just don’t want the whole family discussing my relationship before I’ve even told them.”

“I’ll tell him you need the recovery preparation. You can tell him the rest yourself.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you,” Leo said.

Nate passed that along.

“You’re welcome, dear. I’ll speak to you tomorrow, Nathan.”

“Yeah. Tomorrow.”

He ended the call and left the phone where it was.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Nate could hear a car somewhere beyond the trees, then nothing again.

“You called me your boyfriend.” A smile tugged at Leo’s mouth. It made something in Nate’s chest unclench.

“Yeah. Was that okay?”

“Yes.” Leo answered quickly, then looked down at the windowsill. “I liked it.”

“Good.”

“I know she wasn’t pleased.”

“She’ll have time to get used to it.”

“You sounded very sure.”

“About you being my boyfriend?” Nate waited until Leo looked at him again. “I am.”

The smile grew. Nate wanted to kiss him, but his mother’s warning still rang loud in his ears. Kissing would have to wait.

Unfortunately.

“We’ll have to be careful,” Leo said, as if he could read Nate’s thoughts.

“Yes.”

“And next time something hurts, you have to tell me how much.”

“Okay.”

Leo studied him for a moment, then nodded. “Good.”