The front door opens then closes, and I close my eyes and sigh knowing I have to face him sooner or later, and the later I wait, the more awkward this will become. Gaining what little courage I have left in me, I slide out of bed and dress in my pajama shorts and loose pink Cupcakeinator tee and walk out of my room, into the living-slash-kitchen area.

Nik stands at the open fridge door, rubbing absently at his belly, looking somewhat disappointed. "What are you living on? There's nothing in here."

A shocked laugh bursts out of me. "Your brother says the same thing only all the freaking time."

Nik closes the fridge door and turns to me, a strained smile on his face. "We're alike, him and me. My sisters are a little different. They don't need food every hour to live." I smile, but it's as strained as his. He steps forward and starts, "Listen, Helena, I'm sorr-"

But I cut him off with a shake of my head. "Please, don't apologize. You were right. I screwed up, and I'm the one who's sorry."

He pulls out a stool from the counter and sits, staying quiet for a while before he utters, "I've always been protective of Max. I don't think anyone would blame me for it after what happened with Maddy."

I know about Maddy, but not from Max. I haven't ventured there, but I've been told by Nat it just isn't something Max likes to talk about. With good reason. As far as I know, he only has bad memories of the woman. Nik adds, "But when he told me you were dating, I was happy for him," he looks up into my eyes and utters sincerely, "because you're a good woman."

As long as he's b.u.t.tering me up, we're going to be just fine. I walk over and pull another stool out, parking my b.u.t.t on it. "Well, if it isn't the famous Leokov silver tongue."

Nik chuckles. "I'm not just saying that to say it. I'm saying it, because it's true, and I should've known you wouldn't have touched that a.s.shole without a good reason. But for a split second, I thought-stupidly, I might add-that maybe you were gonna be a troublemaker. Like she was. And me, being me, I freaked out, not only because I don't want to see him go through that s.h.i.t again, but because I know this is something he can't go through again." He tilts his head, a sheepish smile crossing his face. "So I pushed when I should've reigned it in, and I'm sorry."

I look down at the counter before I push my luck. "I know I'm meant to feel sorry for what I did, but I don't. Not even a little. I'd probably do it all over again. The b.i.t.c.h deserved it."

Nik's rough laugh washes over me. "Yeah, I figured you'd say something like that. And secretly, I'm glad she got hers."

I peek up at him and wince. "So about the lawsuit-"

But he cuts me off with a gentle shake of his head. "Didn't you hear? We have witnesses to say she hit you first."

My mouth gapes. "But she didn't-"

He speaks over me, lip twitching. "And wouldn't you know it? There isn't CCTV in the bathrooms. We reported her before she managed to report us." He shrugs. "Good to have friends at the NYPD."

I smile. "Sure is."

He smiles down at me, stands, and opens his arms wide. "Come here."

Without a second thought, I stand and walk into his embrace. He wraps me up into a bear hug and sways me from side-to-side. "I'm so sorry. I promise I won't ever talk to you like that again."

Squeezing him tight, I lay on the guilt-trip I know I'm ent.i.tled to. "You were so mean."

As he lets out a sore groan, I chuckle and he kisses my temple. "You're all right, kid."

We separate, and being a smarta.s.s, I ask, "So you don't mind my dating Max?"

He scoffs, "Dating? s.h.i.t, I hope you marry his lame a.s.s."

"Oh my G.o.ds, don't say things like that! You'll scare him off," I mutter, only half-joking.

Nik raises his brows and states in earnest, "You could chase that fear away." He reaches over and squeezes my hand. "You make him happy."

The front door opens and Max walks in with two coffees in a cardboard holder. He looks down at Nik's hand over mine and accuses, "You stealin' my girl, homes?" Then he looks over at me and asks, "You good, cupcake?"

His concern and consideration warms me. "Yeah."

Nik looks down at the coffees. "You didn't get me one?"

Max grins. "Nope, but I got Mrs. Crandle a tea." He did? This man. Sweet Jesus, he's killing me! "Now take the hint and go home."

Nik shakes his head, but walks to the door. "Shut up, bonehead."

Max scowls. "You shut up."

Nik turns back to me and utters, "Helena. Always a pleasure, sweetheart." Then he tells Max, "Make sure you bring her to dinner tomorrow night."

Max opens the door for Nik. "I will. Smell ya later, bro."

Nik lifts his hand high in a wave and Max closes the door on him. I can't help but laugh. "You're so rude to him."

Max smiles and says, "He knows I love him. Besides, it's fun p.i.s.sing him off." He checks his watch. "Should we pick up Ceecee soon and have a real breakfast? You know, before midday?"

My smile falls. I'm really not feeling up to seeing anyone today. In fact, I was hoping to have a day in. Alone. "Would you be totally peeved if I skipped breakfast this morning?"

His face turns apprehensive. "Everything okay?"

I force a cheerful smile. "Of course. I'm just feeling a little...tired today."

His face falls further. However, he clears his throat and nods. "Uh, yeah. Okay. That's cool. I'll tell Ceecee we'll see you tomorrow."

No argument? No questions? No guilt? Who is this man?

Walking over to him, I snake my arms around his middle, rest my chin on his chest, and look up at him. "Thank you for understanding."

But how he responds tears me apart inside. "I know I can be too much sometimes."

Pulling back, I frown. "Anyone who's ever told you you're too much doesn't know you at all." I run my hand down the side of his cheek and state, "You're the perfect amount of much. I just don't think I'd be the best company today, and I don't want Ceecee to feel like I don't want to be there."

He smiles then, and it's a real Max smile. I immediately relax. He bends down to kiss the top of my head. "You know, if something's bothering you, you can talk to me."

I squeeze him a second time and admit, "Thanks. I think I'm just homesick. I miss the beach." Pulling back, I gasp. "Why don't the three of us go to Coney Island next weekend? I mean, I know it's not exactly summer, but that would be fun, right? Do you think Ceecee would like it?"

Max chuckles. "Whoa, there. Hold up. Firstly, sure. Secondly, yes, that would be fun. Thirdly, she'd love it."

Now I'm excited. I grip his forearms and rush out, "I heard people at work talking about how Coney Island's wheelchair access has tripled over the last few years, and they've got these cool things called Mobi-Mats that they've set down on the sand so people with wheelchair's can make it almost all the way to the water! Maybe if it's warm enough, we can take her all the way down to the beach, you can lift her out of her chair, and she can dip her feet in the water?"

Although he smiles, his brows crease. He looks like he wants to say something, but instead shakes his head. "We can do anything you like, Lena. Anything."

My brain snorts c.o.ke and blacks out, leading me to blurt out, "You're turning out to be the best boyfriend ever, and that scares the c.r.a.p out of me." After I say this, I bend at the waist, reach up with a shaking hand to hold my now-sweating forehead, and hyperventilate.

Wow. That was just...bravo.

But Max just laughs. When I right myself, I smile up at him so weakly that it feels like a cringe. He walks to the door, opens it, and confides, "You keep saying things like that and I'm gonna go ahead and fall in love with you." At the shocked look on my face, he grins. "Don't say I didn't warn ya." Then he walks out, closing the door behind him.

Close to three hours later, I sit on my bed so bored out of my brains that I think I might just stub my toe.

You know? For fun.

Tedwood sleeps curled in a ball on my side of the bed, and as I stroke his feather-soft fur, I stare at my phone.

Just call him.

No. He'll think I'm needy.

Send him a text.

Then he'll think I'm sending mixed messages.

Tell him you need to talk to Ceecee.

I smile. I do want to speak to Ceecee. I want to know what she did over the weekend. I want to ask her about her exercises and tell her I hope she's doing better. G.o.d. Is it pathetic for one for your best friends to be thirteen?

Reaching next to me, I grip my pillow, hold it to my chest, and throw myself back onto the bed. As soon as my back hits the mattress, my phone chimes. I reach over and check the display.

Max calling.

Happiness flows through me and I answer with, "Hey. I was just thinking about you."

I'm surprised when Ceecee giggles. "Uh...it's me."

The sound of her giggle makes my heart sing. "Well, I was thinking about you too, young gra.s.shopper. How was breakfast?"

She makes a noise. "It was okay. Because you couldn't come, we just stayed at Grandma's." She asks, "Are you feeling better?"

I hug my pillow and nod, even though she can't see it. "Sure am, honey pie. Turns out, all I needed was a nap." Then I beat around the bush. "What are you guys doing now?"

She states, "Coming over."

I sit up and blink. "Coming over where?"

She giggles again. "To your apartment."

A beaming smile crosses my face. "Really?"

I hear the smile in her voice. "Well, Daddy asked me to check if that was okay. He said we won't stay long. I just wanted to bring you some chicken soup, because you weren't feeling well."

I'm surprised as emotion flows through me, clogging my throat. "You made me soup?"

She suddenly turns shy, mumbling, "Yeah, but Grandma helped." She pauses a moment, then asks quietly, "Is that okay?"

I bark out a laugh. "Yes, it's okay! Just tell your dad to pick up some ice cream and popcorn. We'll watch a movie."

"Really?"

"Yes, really." I decide to go full truths. "Honey, I'm so glad you called. I was bored out of my brains."

I hear the happiness leak out of her as she rushes out, "Okay! We'll see you soon! Bye!"

She hangs up in a hurry and I laugh as I throw my cell down on my bed. I turn to Tedwood and he peeks open one eye. I ask him, "You feel like a cupcake?" I stand and walk into the kitchen, yelling back at him, "I feel like a cupcake."

Twenty minutes later, they arrive, but Max doesn't bother knocking on the door. He uses his key. And I like that in a way that most people would find weird. Ceecee wheels herself in first, holding a dishtowel-covered Tupperware container. She smiles up at me. "Careful, it's hot."

Dressed in black yoga pants, a hoodie, and white socks, I lean down and hug her tightly. As I pull away, I kiss her cheek and utter, "Thank you so much, C. I'm starved." I take the container and place it on the counter as I watch Max struggle with two full grocery bags as he walks into my kitchen.

I also like that super weirdly. I walk over to him and take one. He catches my lips in a quick kiss, pulls back looking apologetic, and mouths, "Sorry." Then whispers, "We won't stay long."

Placing the bags on the counter, I shake my head and utter, "Don't be silly. I want you here."

Ceecee gasps and reaches down. When she turns around, Tedwood sits in her lap and she whisper-hisses wide-eyed, "You have a kitty!"

I smile down at him. Ever since Max gave him that pep talk, he's been acting semi-normal. The worm. Walking behind Max, I open a cupboard and take out a white packet. I hand it to Ceecee and tell her, "His name is Tedwood, Teddy for short. And if you give him a few of his smelly fish treats, he'll let you love him."

She smiles so hard her cheeks are at risk of exploding. I make my way back to the kitchen, where Max stands watching Ceecee. I reach over and place my hand in his, entwining our fingers. He looks over at me, smiling. I smile in return before looking back at Ceecee. I whisper sincerely, "I want you here."

Letting go of my hand, he wraps an arm around me, pulling me into him. I reach up, placing my hand on his chest, mildly terrified of how right this feels. Standing on my tiptoes, I lay a gentle kiss on his jaw before taking my container of soup and moving to the sofa, where Ceecee plays with Teddy. "So, what junk did you get us?"

Max works at putting thing in the fridge and freezer, calling out, "We got everything we need for a banana split, chips, dip, popcorn, and-"

A beaming Ceecee cuts him off with, "We got cupcakes!"

Making a sound of mock-disgust, I raise my hand to Ceecee's and as she giggles, we high-five. Shaking my head, I mutter solemnly, "And may G.o.d have mercy on our souls."

"Amen," comes from both Max and Ceecee.

I blink up over at them a moment before I whisper in admiration, "That was awesome."

I turn on the TV, open the container of soup, and spoon some into my mouth. "Oh G.o.d," I moan out. I smack my lips together and praise the chef. "d.a.m.n, girlie. I'm not even sure you need lessons anymore. You're turning out to be a regular Jamie Oliver."

Her face falls momentarily. "But I like cooking with you."

My heart swells and I reach over to stroke her reddish-brown hair. "You can cook with me whenever you like. Soon enough, you'll be teaching me new things." I eat my soup in record time then stand and take it into the kitchen, where Max opens bags of chips and dumps them into bowls. I steal a handful then sit back down, sharing my loot with Ceecee. "What are we watching?"

Max joins us, bringing the chips and sodas, and then hands me a DVD case. I gasp dramatically. "How did you know?" I turn to Ceecee and beam. "I love Pirates of the Caribbean. In fact, I love anything Johnny Depp. I still have a poster of him in my clos-"

Max's face takes on a look that reminds me of when you suddenly smell someone's fart. "Johnny who?"

Biting the inside of my cheek to hide my grin, I mumble, "Nothing." I slip the DVD into the player and sit back on the sofa. Max lifts my feet onto his lap and starts ma.s.saging them.

Talk about spoiled.

Sitting one bowl of chips on the armrest between the sofa and Ceecee's chair, Max takes the remote, looks me in the eye, and asks, "Ready?"

No. I don't think I am ready for what he's offering.