Becky had put her John Deere, soil-stained boots on my bed. But this was the Mansion, after all, the house of my dreams, and, more important, Alexander’s home. I spotted a beat-up old ottoman in the corner and scooted it in front of him.

“You might be more comfortable,” I said graciously.

“Thanks,” he said. “Now I feel like a king. I can see why you like it here,” he said to Alexander.

I didn’t know if he was sincere or making a snide remark.

Alexander sat on the couch, and I curled up next to him.

I was curious about this friend who seemed like the opposite of Alexander.

“So how do you like it here so far?” I asked.

“Awesome, now that I’ve found a room with outlets. And I can’t believe Alexander still doesn’t have a cell phone. How do you two communicate—by smoke signals?”

“Excuse me?” I asked defensively.

“It’s okay—he’s just joking,” Alexander reassured me.

“Oh…,” I said, relieved. My first response was to protect Alexander. I hadn’t been exposed to anyone before who amiably ribbed my boyfriend.

“So who are you texting? A girlfriend?” I wondered aloud.

“One of many,” Alexander said. “A lady in every town.”

“It must be nice to receive steamy texts,” I hinted to Alexander. “I’d cherish every one.”

Alexander only shook his head.

“Oh…yeah,” Sebastian said. “I’m being rude, aren’t I?” After a few clicks, he closed his phone.

Sebastian sat up, now ready for conversation. “So, what did you do all day?” he asked. “Soak up the sun?”

“Hardly. I was stuck in school. How about you?”

“Well, my day started about two minutes ago.”

“Yes, that’s what I figured. So…it’s really cool you came to town. I haven’t met any of Alexander’s friends.”