Ben and I get onto the elevator at the Waterstone Resort without anyone having paid attention to us as we laughed our way through the lobby, holding hands and talking about the weather and how nice it was to get out of Chicago for a change – the perfect image of tourists vacationing. He was more relaxed than I, which I did not expect so I turn and give him a side look.

Taking off Emma’s sunglasses, I smile, “Look at you comin’ outta your shell.”

He chuckles and runs a hand through his sandy-brown hair, emerald eyes dancing. “You kidding? I was tense as hell out there. Thought any second someone was going to point and identify us. I don’t know how you do it, Hannah. I couldn’t take that shit on a daily basis.”

“People looking at me?”

“Yeah. I just want to stay on my little piece of land, be left alone and happy.” He fans both hands out, palms down. “Just livin’ where nobody bothers me.” The doors open and he motions for me to go first.

Here I am in this hallway again, walking to Tobias’s room with my heart pounding with excitement. Only this time it’s different because this isn’t a one-night fling we’re having. He and I are taking a chance on each other, to see where this goes. And I know we both hope it goes far.

Ben’s a few steps behind me. “You didn’t agree with me.”

I glance back, distracted. “Hmmm?”

“Usually when I describe my life, you always say, I wish I could have that. But you didn’t.”

Stopping in the hallway I gaze up at my cousin in wonder. “I do always say that.”

“Yup.”

“I guess I don’t need to anymore.”

He tilts his head a little, not understanding, but wanting to. “What changed?”

Pulling my hair down from the bun, I think about it while finger combing everything back into place and tucking the hair tie in my clutch bag. “I don’t know. No, that’s not true. It was standing up to them and taking my power back.”

“And saying cock on national television didn’t hurt,” he chuckles, knowing he’s not totally wrong.

“Why are people so afraid of sex?”

Ben shrugs and glances to the wall, frowning like he should be staring off into a sunset over tall grass. How many times have I seen him like that, all those weekends year after year as we grew up beside each other. I touch his arm and pull his thoughtful eyes back to me.

“I love you, Ben. I’m glad you’re in my life. All of you. I’m lucky. I don’t think I realized it until tonight.”

He frowns, lost again by the way my brain works. “Us kicking that kid’s ass in Sandy Springs didn’t do it for you?”

“It was Dunwoody.”

“Whatever. You didn’t feel lucky then? We bled for you.”

Smacking his chest I roll my eyes to the ceiling. “You made someone bleed. You didn’t get a scratch. Don’t even!” He grins, but my smile falters to explain, because this is very important to me and I want him to know it. “After hearing how Tobias doesn’t have a family, and how his cousin is screwing him over to get what she wants, it just made me feel crazy lucky to have you guys. Thank you for pretending to be my date to sneak me up here.”

Ben shakes his head, half-laughing. “Hannah, I’d die for you. This is nothin’. Come on. Loverboy’s waitin’.” As we continue to the room he mutters, “And I was pretending to be your husband. When I act, I go for the Oscar.”

Laughing I shoot back, “Oh it was that much of a stretch?”

“Since you’re my blood relation? Hell yes. You’re androgynous to me. All of you.” He meets my look and smirks. “Yes, even Sofia. But don’t tell her that. She needs to be dirty.”

“God, she really does.” My fist rises to knock but the door opens and Tobias pulls me inside, one enormous arm reaching out and swooping me inside like I’m skinny.

Andy greets Ben from inside the room and my cousin passes us to say hi and get a swig of the whiskey they bought for their fake party.

I lean into Tobias as he rests his back against the wall with me in his arms. “Hey beautiful. I missed you.”

“I didn’t miss you.”

His eyebrows twitch on a smirk. “Yeah, you did. But you were surrounded by too many people to notice.” He kisses me once like the debate is over and takes my hand to join the guys. “Andy, I see too much of you. Get out of here.” To Ben he extends his hand. “Thanks for pretending you were me.”

“Would need a few more inches around my biceps,” my cousin mutters on a smile. “I’ve seen you fight before. Saw this last one, too. But I’ve been a fan for a while.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Glad you’re not a dick.”

Tobias laughs. “Big relief you guys didn’t try harder to kick my ass. I wouldn’t want to hurt you.”

Ben laughs then nods with a closed-mouth smile, humming, “Mmhmm.” He believes they were spared. To Andy as they head toward the door, he says, “We’re going drinking. Have plans?”

“Count me in.”

“Sofia will give you a bad time.”

Andy laughs and before the door shuts behind them, we hear him happily mumble, “Can’t wait.”