She shrugged. “This is our baby. I’d like to do a few shows. You know, if I can.” Not a whole tour. Not ever. But a few shows, maybe.

“You may not have to call Todd after all,” she said, smiling toward the doorway, where Todd had just stepped through with Ben and Cope.

Todd’s gaze went right to her and he smiled. She’d had to leave early the morning after their, um, thing with Ben, and she hadn’t seen him for the rest of the week around their conflicting schedules.

He approached, bold as brass, and dropped a kiss on her lips. “Hi, honey. Take pity on some guys in desperate need of caffeine?”

“You remember Adrian, right?” She indicated her brother.

Todd nodded and the two of them did that guy handshake thing and then began to talk, heads close.

“Let’s see, Americano with room for you and an iced mocha for you, right?” She turned back to Ben and Cope with a smile, her hands already at work on their drinks.

Quickly, she slid a refill to Adrian, an iced latte to Todd and then finished up the drinks for Ben and Cope.

“You two want anything else? Since tomorrow is a holiday I only have soup and bread for lunch. It’s good though, Indian veggie. The bread is focaccia from the bakery a few doors down.”

“Yes, please.” Ben paid for everyone’s drinks and food and went to sit down.

Without needing to ask, she put two big bowls out for her brother and Todd on her way to take lunch to Ben and Cope.

“Let me know if you guys need anything else, okay?”

“Delicious stuff, Erin. I can’t wait to see what you bring over to the party tomorrow.” Cope grinned.

“I grew up in Seattle and I’ve never known anyone who had a boat. I’m so excited to watch the fireworks from the lake that way. Todd put in a request for this Thai noodle salad he likes so much. I’m making that and some enchiladas. Nothing fancy.”

“Our families are all about the outdoors. Boating, fishing, hiking, camping. His dad and ours bought that boat. God, we were just kids.” Ben pushed a chair out. “Sit with us if you can. Looks like your brother is making sure Todd’s on the up-and-up.”

It was quiet. A lot of people were on vacation, and the café closed early that day. She sat, pleased they liked her enough to ask.

She relaxed, catching Adrian laughing at something Todd said. Erin was glad they liked each other, really glad Ben and Cope liked her. Todd’s people liking her was very important.

Brody pounded on the wall as he sometimes did when he needed some caffeine but was too busy to run over. She stood. “My other brother,” she said by way of explanation. “Cope knows him. Anyway, I need to run something over there. Be right back.”

Todd and Adrian were still speaking quietly when she made a leaf pattern on Brody’s latte foam.

“Adrian, I’ll be right back. Keep an eye out, please?”

He looked up and nodded before going back to his conversation.

Brody gave a satisfied sigh when she stepped through to the shop. The hum of the tattoo guns and the smell of ink and the shop in general greeted her. Brody had opened this shop nearly fifteen years before and she’d spent a lot of time there. It was a place she felt totally comfortable in.

“You’re the best little sister I’ve ever had,” he said as she handed him the drink.

“Mmm hmm. Adrian is interrogating Todd. How come you’re not being bad cop?”

“I had my bad cop moment with him already. I’m good. Aid wanted to see for himself. Todd’s a punk if he can’t handle it. But I doubt he’ll have a problem. He seems to love you, and as long as he doesn’t revert, things are copacetic.”

“Good. I brought you soup too.” She handed over a container with the soup and some bread as well.

The guy on the table looked up at her and then to Brody. “Jeez, how come my sister doesn’t do stuff like that?”

“Yeah, well, does your sister call you while you’re out on dates and ask you to bring home feminine hygiene products?”

“Oh god, let it go! I was fourteen. I’m leaving now, Brody.” She waved over her shoulder as he laughed at the telling of that old story.

Still smiling, she’d just walked through, back into the café, when a loud cracking sound came from somewhere. Panic ate her insides and she fell to the floor, her hands over her head.

Todd heard what sounded like gunfire outside and stood, looking toward the front of the café and the street. Ben was on his feet already, running out the door, and Cope turned and ran toward the counter.

Adrian had jumped the counter, knocking shit everywhere, and that’s when Todd saw Erin and his heart nearly stopped.

Adrian gathered her in his arms. Brody came through the door and joined them, skidding to them on his knees.

Ben ran back in. “Fucking fireworks. Everything’s okay, folks,” he called out to the few people in the café and then turned toward where Erin huddled.

“Shit,” Cope said.

“Get back,” Brody said calmly. “Crowding around her will only make it worse. Adrian, can you get people their tabs or whatever? It’s closing time.”

“Shhh, come on, gorgeous, it’s just fireworks. You know what it’s like this time of year,” Ben said, dropping down to sit, looking up at Todd.

Todd reached out, touched her hair. She turned her head, tipping her chin to see him as he sat on his haunches to be at eye level and not tower over her. “Is that what you want, honey? Do you want to close up and we can go home? Have a nice quiet afternoon?”