“Those of us who love you never felt otherwise.” Her father patted her hand before grabbing a roll.

“Are you serious about him?” her mother asked, steering the conversation back. “What does he do at this security firm?”

“Yes, yes, I’m serious about him. I like him. I trust him. He values the things I do like family and friends. He owns this business with his brother and Todd, and they do all sorts of stuff from setting up security systems to bodyguards and personal security.”

“All right then, when do we get to meet him? All official and everything?” her mother asked.

“Can I invite him to dinner next week? I was thinking it would be a good time if you don’t have any other guests invited.”

“Yes. I’ll make a pot roast. He’s not a vegetarian?”

“Yum. He’ll love it.”

Her mother grinned. “Well, isn’t that nice? I’ll do a coconut cake too.”

“You’re the best mom I’ve ever had.” Coconut cake was her absolute favorite dessert ever, and her mother’s offer to make it meant she was pleased with the news about Ella dating. It felt good to have this rhythm with her parents again. She’d needed this connection. Had missed it desperately.

When she left, it was with a lightness of heart and a certainty she hadn’t had in a long time.

It was there, waiting in his mailbox. The envelope was deep blue this time, the ink metallic silver. A fountain pen? He smiled as he took it into the house.

Inside, she’d tucked three origami cranes. He held one in his palm, looking this way and that. The sharp, precise lines belied the whimsy and artistry.

He called her, knowing she’d be arriving home from work.

“I had no idea you knew origami. You’re a surprise to me sometimes, beautiful Ella.”

Her laughter was his reward. “I made them when I was in an interminable meeting day before yesterday. I hadn’t remembered I knew how until my hands remembered for me.”

“You busy tonight?” He needed to be with her. Loved the way it felt to hear her voice, to smell her on his hands, in his house, loved to walk around a corner and see her there, perched at the center island in his kitchen, sipping tea and reading through a client file.

“I will be for about an hour or so. I’m actually walking to Erin’s front door as we talk. I’m having tea and cookies with your mom, Elise and Erin. But since I don’t want to tax Erin too much, I’m only staying for an hour or less. This was our agreement, and you know how she can be.”

“You’re having tea with my mom?”

She paused and lowered her voice. “Is that a problem?”

“No.” He said it, and it was true. “I wanted you to spend more time with her. Get to know her better now that you’re my girlfriend.” He said it, and that was true too. He liked saying it out loud. “I just didn’t know. Caught me by surprise.”

“All right. How about I cook you dinner? You can come by in say, an hour and a half? You can stay over if you like.”

“I’ll see you then, and how about I bring something by so you can relax?” He knew Thursdays were a hellish day for her. She’d have done the morning shift at the café and then headed to her other job, broke for an hour with her advisor and then back to work.

He heard Ben in the background and smiled at Ella’s response to his brother. Light and teasing.

“I’m sorry. Ben came out to see if everything was all right. I’ll see you in a while then. And thank you.”

He said his good-bye and went off to shower and get ready to meet her at her place.

“That was your brother. He says hello and that you owe him a call.” Ella went inside as she spoke to Ben. She knew she had a goofy grin on; hell, who wouldn’t?

“How are things going between you two?” Ben leaned back against a side table, crossing his arms, and wow, a girl would have to be dead not to notice the way his biceps got all bulgy when he did that. And while she had nothing but love and admiration for what the three of them shared, Ella was not above checking out Todd’s butt or Ben’s biceps. She was human, after all.

“Good.” She blushed.

“That’s what he says. You two are good for each other. Come on through; Erin and my mom are in the living room with Elise.”

She grabbed his hand quickly. “How are you? Can I help with anything?”

He hugged her, kissing the top of her head. “We’re all fine. Erin is going stir crazy, but between you and the new manager, she doesn’t have to worry about the café at all. Everyone visits and calls. She’s writing songs again, so Adrian has been here a lot. The two of them bicker regularly, which keeps her sharp and entertained. Though, poor Adrian, he takes the brunt of her pissy moods when they work together.”

Ella laughed. “They have an old rhythm. It works for them. Plus he’s no pushover. I’m sure he appreciates the time with her anyway. You know where I am if you need me for anything, all right?”

“Yes. Thank you. I do know that. We know that.” His smile was crooked and reminded her a lot of his brother.

When they got to the living room, she dipped to kiss Erin’s cheeks. “Hiya. I brought a pie. My mom wanted me to tell you it’s low-fat and low-sugar. She says the blueberries are good for you.”

“Gimme.” Erin’s face lit up as she took the pie. “Please tell her I said thank you.”