They all sat and began to eat. Todd watched her, smiling from under his lashes, and she knew he was amused.

Cope began speaking as he ate. “So I got in touch with the guy from the label’s security team. They sent their security plan—which is really good, by the way. I’ve got a schematic of the venues and entry and exit plans. We can carry concealed in both places. I’ll be the liaison. They assured me they would handle Erin’s security just fine.”

Ben and Todd’s heads both snapped up, eyes glittering, and she felt instantly better. They wouldn’t let anything happen to her. Neither would Cope. She patted Cope’s arm before refilling Ben’s plate.

“And you told them, what?” Ben asked.

Cope rolled his eyes. “What do you think? I told them we appreciated the offer, Erin was sure they would do a fine job, but she’d contracted with us and that was how it would be. If they had a problem, they could speak with Jeremy. They backed off quickly.”

“Thank you, Cope.” Erin said and he grinned at her.

“You’re like my sister-in-law twice over, I got your back. We’ve all got your back. And you feed me, which is a plus. In case you haven’t noticed, you fill in all the blanks. I like to look at pretty women. Check. I’m hungry. Check. You know, the basics. Too bad you settled on Ben. I’m clearly the hotter of the Copeland boys.”

She burst out laughing and Ben just rolled his eyes as the phone rang.

“I got it.” Ben got up and went to answer. From the way he tightened up and then put the phone back into the cradle moments later, she knew it was the ex. The woman she tried not to wonder about but couldn’t help herself.

He came back to the table, looking her straight in the eye and smiling. He wasn’t hiding anything. She felt like each time they shared a few moments like they had earlier that evening, they got closer as they learned each other. Erin knew what it was to be surrounded by people and yet still be lonely. Even when she was with Jeremy she’d been lonely. It was only for those glorious years with Adele that she had felt right. And then it went away and she was cast adrift, even as she had people who loved her in her life.

Because of that, she understood why Ella had stayed with her ex as long as she had. Even when it wasn’t perfect, sometimes it was better than being alone. Or it felt that way until you were alone long enough to realize nothing was worth being hurt by someone who claimed to love you.

“You okay?” Ben asked quietly.

“Yeah. Just thinking.” She squeezed his hand. “Caroline?”

He nodded. “I said we were eating and I’d call her later. Are you upset?”

“No. Really, I promise. I’m curious about her of course. But you’re not hiding anything and we’re okay. I was just thinking about what it meant to be lonely even when you’re surrounded by people.”

He nodded, understanding. And she knew Todd did as well. Each of them had been that way and they’d all finally found each other and held on. It worked. Thank goodness.

They chatted as everyone cleaned up. Cope stayed until eleven or so and ambled out with hugs and a laid-back smile.

“I think he feels better now. Knowing he’s welcome. I’ve told him that and I know Ben has. But hearing it from you made a difference.” Todd kissed her. “Thank you for making a place in our lives for him.”

“I like Cope, silly. Of course I would.”

Her cell rang and she saw it was Adrian. “I’m going to work for a while. I expect he wants to talk about the song I sent over earlier.” She kissed him and blew a kiss to Ben, who was on the balcony.

Ben lit a clove cigarette and inhaled, letting the aromatic smoke fill him, affect his senses, before blowing it out again.

“Is everything okay?” Todd said, pulling a chair up and leaning back. The sky was clear and beautiful.

Ben nodded. “She’s had a rough day. Caroline called. I’m getting ready to call her back.”

“She has, but she’ll be okay. She knows we’re here for her. What’s this about Caroline?”

“She’s in town. She called earlier and left a message on the machine. Erin and I talked. She’s curious but not worried.”

“And what about you? How do you feel about your ex calling you out of the blue and being here in Seattle?” Todd wasn’t sure how he felt about it.

“The breakup wasn’t bad. I don’t hate her. There’s no resentment. I care about her, sure. But there’s nothing for anyone to worry about. You and Erin are my present and my future. I told Erin that too. Wanna be here when I call?”

Todd snorted and stood, kissing Ben quickly. That sort of intimacy had grown over the last months until it had become natural.

“Ben, you don’t need a chaperone. If you did, I wouldn’t want you in our relationship. I’m going inside. Erin will be working for another hour or so and then I’m going to jump her.”

“Good idea. I’ll meet you in an hour.”

30

Erin smoothed down her blouse and took a deep breath. Todd saw the shaking hands and his heart ached. But he knew she needed to pull herself together without help from him, so he forced himself to sit and watch her get ready.

Today would be the opening arguments for Bill Richman, Ella’s ex. Todd had taken the day off and would sit with Erin the whole time. Ben had wanted to go, but their client load had grown enough that it wasn’t possible for both of them to have the day off.