Oh. My. Disorientation settled in as she realized the conclusion she’d just come to.

“You off woolgathering?” He put the business card on top of her cell phone, interrupting her panic attack. “I’ve done a lot of ink on his son. He’s a top family law attorney here in town. I even had Ben check him out. I know, this is me being pushy, but I didn’t want to rec him to you unless I knew he was the best. We can’t risk Rennie on anything but the best.”

Oh god. She loved him. She knew it when he walked into her studio earlier that day. Hell, she knew it when his was the first face she looked for when she got those legal papers. Knew when she’d sought refuge in his arms instead of kicking his ass out of her studio. His comment about Rennie just then capped it. Shit. Shit. Shit.

She had to respond even as her realization had sent her reeling. He was looking at her, worried. “I’ll call him tomorrow. Thank you for the card and for the checking on him.” One thing she knew: if she was going to love him, she had to just love him without fear of the end. It would happen, and she’d deal with the fact that she’d still have to see him every day. But it wasn’t anywhere near over, so why not just be happy with him? She could be all adult and stuff, right? Stay friends with an ex when the time came? Sure she could.

“What are you thinking about?” He began to ladle chili into the bowls.

About how she was such a liar. She feared the end. But she’d love him anyway. You don’t always choose who you love, sometimes it just happens. Brody, despite his general reluctance to be permanent with anyone, was a good choice. He was a good man. Honest. Hardworking. He cared about people and he’d been there for her every single time she’d needed him.

She managed a smile even though she was torn between weeping and laughing. “You. Thank you for being so good to us.”

He smiled and kissed her quickly. “It’s my pleasure. It makes me happy.” He paused. “I care about you both. I want you to be happy and safe.”

“Enough mushy stuff. I’m hungry.” And she felt raw, exposed and vulnerable in a way she never had before.

He cocked his head, looking at her carefully. “You okay?”

Before she could answer him, someone knocked on the front door and she sighed, putting a bowl down in front of Rennie before starting toward her hallway.

Brody put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. “Why don’t I get it?” Brody sort of asked, but his body was already heading toward the front door. Lucky for him she was just fine with him dealing with the Sorensons on her doorstep or anything of that nature.

The soft murmur, replaced by her father’s booming voice, filled the house as they came in. Her mother had her arm linked with Brody’s, and Elise realized once again that she and Rennie weren’t the only women in the family who loved the man.

Her father kissed her cheeks and looked over her shoulder toward the slow cooker. “Smells good. You know how much I love chili.” Her parents came in and made themselves at home, filling bowls and sitting at the table, chatting happily with Rennie.

Her family. Crazy-making but wonderful. And they were there for her. That’s what counted the most.

After Rennie went to bed, Elise filled her parents in on the newest developments. They agreed to hang out for the guys coming over with Todd the following day to install the new security system. Brody looked tired, and she knew her parents weren’t leaving anytime soon.

“You look tired. Why don’t you go home and rest?” she suggested softly, following him into the kitchen.

“Because I want to be here with you.”

She smiled, butterflies fluttering in her belly. “I want you here too, but you have dark circles under your eyes.” She traced the curve of his cheeks and he closed his eyes, leaning into her touch. “And my parents aren’t going anywhere. My father just got another glass of wine, which means he and my mother will break out the chessboard. I’ll end up going to sleep before they leave. They’re night owls.”

His slumped shoulders admitted defeat. “You’ll fill me in on whatever you hear when you talk to Bill? The attorney?” he clarified when she looked confused.

“Yes. Thanks again for that. I . . . Thank you for being here for me. For me and Rennie. We need our friends and you’ve been such a good one to us both.”

He was the one blushing for a change. “There’s nothing else I’d do. I’m here for you because that’s what friends do. Tomorrow night, my house. I’ll order pizza and we’ll watch movies.”

She nodded, swallowing past her urge to give him an out. He invited them, he wanted them there. She needed to stop questioning it.

“Sweet dreams. If you need me, I’m just a call away. Like if they go home soon and you need a cuddle. Or something.” His eyes darkened and he sidled closer.

She laughed. “I will. I’ll think of you when I’m using my special showerhead.”

“I’ll get you for that.” He kissed her quickly. “See you tomorrow. Don’t forget to set your system when I leave.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I know you’re being sarcastic, but I like the sound of that anyway. We’ll need to look into that a bit more when your mom and dad aren’t in the other room. No whips, but definitely chains.”

“You’re a menace.”

“I don’t want to suffer alone in my cold bed.”

“Your bed isn’t cold. You have heated floors. Believe me, I’d much rather snuggle up to you than sleep alone.”