The bed dipped, and I woke up to Ben sliding in next to me. Within seconds, he rolled me onto my back and hovered over me. In the moonlight, I focused on his face and found weary eyes and a tight mouth.

"How was your night?" he whispered, pulling me close and peppering my jaw with a kiss. "Mine was fucked."

"It was okay. Missy came over and then Gigi saw Missy turn up, so she decided to come over too. We ordered pizza, Gigi decided that we need to organize a trip to Vegas, and Missy and I learned more about her dating adventures. Oh, and apparently Gigi is going to teach Missy how to date."

His face softened as he moved us, so he was on his back and I was tucked into his side. "Tell Missy to run."

I giggled and snuggled into him. He settled into bed and pulled me in as close as he could. I had no complaints. I was a big fan of snuggling now. The tension in his body radiated against mine. I threw a leg over his and began running my nails over his stomach. Slowly, he began to relax, as his fingers ran through my hair.

I couldn't wait any longer. "What happened today?"

"O'Leary made a threat."

"What?" I gasped and tried to pull away from him, but he wouldn't let me move. "What kind of threat?" I asked against his chest.

“He said he has a surprise for you and Drew. He didn’t say what, but he made it appear that it was going to be big.”

“What the hell? What does that even mean?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. He is getting cocky, so it’s only a matter of time until he fucks up.”

“What can I do?”

“Keep being you. He is not going to affect the way you live your life. If he approaches you, walk away, call me, or call 911. Sass's location is perfect because everyone can see in. You are either there or at Missy’s, and when you aren’t you are with me, so he can’t get near you.”

“What about Drew?” I asked, fear creeping into my voice. The thought of anything happening to him was too much to handle. If Ben was protecting me, who was protecting Drew?

“What I am about to tell you stays between us,” he said, and I freaked out.

Oh god.

“Drew has cover,” he continued.

“What?” I gasped, rolling over so I was lying on his chest and we were face to face. “What do you mean?”

He tucked my hair behind my ear and then revealed, “Drew can look after himself. Fuck, he could take out a man with his bare hands, but for you, Austin is keeping an eye on things. Captain, Austin, Carson, me, and now you are the only ones that know. The fewer people to know the better because if he found out, he would not be happy and I’ve got enough to deal with then dealing with a pissed off Drew Hamilton. He has protection like you had when you weren’t with me.”

His words stunned me into silence. I looked at him, and all I could do was stare. This meant the world to me. After losing Dad, the thought of losing Drew terrified me. I refused to imagine the world without him. Now, Ben was erasing my fears. He was giving me strength. He was making promises.

“I like you,” I whispered, closing my eyes as honesty flooded out of me. I needed him to know how much this meant to me. He was offering me even more protection by protecting Drew, Hamilton’s, and the memory of my Dad. No one had ever done anything like this for me before. No one had ever made me feel so special, or worthy before. I felt like the most important girl in the world. “I really like you.”

How I made him feel was shown in the soft kiss he placed on my lips. It was a kiss that told me he liked what I said, it was a kiss that told me he knew he was smashing down my walls at a fast rate, and it was a kiss that told him I was letting him in.

"Is it against the law to tell my detective boyfriend that I want to hurt someone?" I muttered as the thought of what I wanted to do to Edward started circulating in my head. I wanted him out of our lives. “Because I’m sure I could hurt him some way. I may not be as strong as him, but I’m sure I’m quicker.”

He tensed beneath me, and I immediately regretted what I said. Seriously, how stupid could I be?

"Oh crap, it’s against the law, isn’t it? I didn't mean it. I feel bad hurting spiders, so I’m sure I could never hurt a human. Well, unless they did something really bad to people I care about, then I would definitely hurt them. Oh god, I’m digging myself into more trouble. I’d tell the police if he hurt someone, I wouldn’t look for payback. I’m not a looking for payback kind of girl. I promise.”

What he said next was not what I was expecting.

“That's the first time I've heard you call me your boyfriend."

Now it was my turn to tense. What was I doing? What had I done? I was now saying the B word out in the open like I was just saying his name, and I was also telling him that I really liked him. If I was freaking out, I could only imagine how he was feeling. I started to pull away, but he hurled me back toward him.

“Stop freaking out,” he murmured and recommenced playing with my hair. “I like hearing you call me your boyfriend.”

I lifted my head up slightly and looked at him. “Really?”

“Of course, I do. I’m pretty sure I’ve made it clear that my intentions toward you aren’t casual.”

“So, does that mean . . . ”

“That you’re my girlfriend?”

I shrugged my shoulders and immediately felt like I was a teenage girl begging the most popular boy in school to tell me he liked me. “Maybe you’re alpahness doesn’t have that word in your alpha dictionary.”

His body shook with silent laughter beside me. “My alpha dictionary?”

“Benjamin, this is not funny. I don’t say the B word to just anyone.”

“Great, now you are calling it the B word. Talk about being a tease, Sash. You can’t say it and then take it back.” He laughed out loud and hugged me tighter. “You are so fucking worth it, Sweetheart.”

My heart squeezed and burst with happiness.

“And yes, you are my woman, my lady, my girl, my girlfriend, whatever you want to call it. All that matters is that you know you’re mine.”

“I like them all,” I whispered, feeling myself open up like never before.

“And when it comes to O’Leary, you can tell me all the ways you want to hurt him, but in the general population you should probably keep a lid on your violent tendencies.”

“I do not have violent tendencies.”

“Right,” he said, his voice sounding weary. “Now, can we sleep? Or do you have any other personality traits you need to share with me?”

“You are not funny,” I said, trying desperately to hide the fact that I was fighting a smile.

“Time for sleep, Sasha.”

“You’re not just my boyfriend,” I whispered as I snuggled into him. “You’re my bossy, annoying boyfriend.”

“I’ll take it.”

* * *

“Missy! Coffee, two pieces of cake, and girl chat. Now!”

This is how I entered the diner the next day.

I was being downright dramarific.

Ben had woken me up before sunrise with a soft kiss that quickly turned heated, and he left promising to have lunch with me. I rolled over, grabbed his pillow, and went back to sleep for a couple of hours. Then I woke up thinking about the fact that Ben and I had the whole boyfriend/girlfriend talk. Then I started swooning at what he was doing for Drew. Then I started freaking out again. I was someone’s girlfriend. Me? Miss I-don’t-want-a-boyfriend, Miss Relationships-don’t-last-longer-than-a-night, Miss Let’s-build-a-wall-and-never-let-anyone-in. Now, I had a boyfriend, I was spending every night with him, and he knew how to get me to do whatever the hell he wanted simply by giving me one of his earth-shattering kisses.

Who the hell was I?

“This sounds serious.” Missy laughed while juggling two plates loaded with decadent chocolate cake, before sliding them onto the table. “Coffee is on its way.”

"I called Ben my boyfriend last night,” I admitted, getting straight to the point after she took a seat. “And he called me his girlfriend. Well, he actually said his woman, lady, girl, and girlfriend. He said I was his.”

She threw up her hands and cheered right in the middle of her diner. "About time!"

My laugh rang out around us. "You have no shame, do you?"

"Not when it comes to my bestie getting herself a hot as fuck boyfriend. Babe, I am so happy for you. We need to celebrate with an epic Wine Time Wednesday. Let’s buy an expensive bottle.”

I nodded, digging into my chocolate cake. It was good, but it didn’t live up to Gigi’s.

“I freaked out after I said it,” I said, taking another huge bite of cake. “Like starting to rant freak out.”

Our coffees arrived, and I took a huge sip, sighing in pleasure as the caffeine began to take effect.

"Why did you freak out?” she asked after placing her cup on the table and going back to her cake.

"You know I've never wanted this. I've avoided this exact thing for so long. Me and a serious relationship has never been on the cards. But then Ben barreled into my life, and now I find myself with feelings for a man who I can still see myself with in five years, a man that protects me like I am his last breath, and I'm pretty sure he really likes me. What is this life?" I sucked in a deep breath, before looking at my best friend and giving her complete honesty. “Now, I don't think I could handle not having him in my life. I’m scared he is going to leave me like—“

She put her hand up. “Do not even put him in the same category as that woman," Missy warned, her eyes flashing at the mention of my mother. "He is never going to let you go. Look at him when you two broke up, or whatever we are calling it. He was at your house every Sunday because it was your day. He turned up at your house drunk because he had a shit day and he wanted you to comfort him. Babe, that is not a man who is going to leave. I’m surprised he hasn't moved you in yet.” She dropped her fork, leaned over, and grabbed my hand. “Babe, I haven't seen you smile this much since your mother left. He's given you back your smile. This is an amazing thing.”

“I like him, Missy. I really like him.”

“And that is a beautiful thing.”

“You know I love you, right?” I whispered, wanting her to know how much she meant to me.

“I love you too. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to hate you a little when you share your multiple orgasm stories with me.”

I burst out laughing. “I cannot wait for you to find your own Mr. Multiple, although I think you’ll want Mr. Multiple with a side order of Mr. Rough and Wild.”

“I just quivered at the thought. Let’s hope he turns up soon.”

* * *

“Since when have Gigi and Crazy John hung out?” Missy asked, looking toward the door, her face showing the beginnings of a smile.

I shifted in my seat and looked outside. “Oh my God, they are with Ben’s Mom and Dad.”

As soon as I spoke, it was as if they heard me because all four of them looked in. I received four different smiles, then Gigi started pointing, and Ronnie looked highly amused. Next thing I knew they were heading to the door, and I was closing my laptop.

I’d just spent the morning working from the diner after deciding I needed a change of scenery. I’d set my laptop up in my usual booth and spent a few hours ticking off admin jobs and enjoying a bottomless cup of coffee.

“Hey girlies,” Crazy John greeted when they got to the booth. “We were going to take Ronnie and Di out for lunch, but then we saw you two in here and thought we’d come here instead. You got my favorite burger on the menu today, Moo?”

“Do you really have to call me Moo?” Missy said, shaking her head and shooting a fake glare at Crazy John. I knew for a fact she loved that he gave her a nickname.

“Damn right I do. You’re Missy Moo, and my girls, Sassy Sash, so Moo and Sassy. Now, you got the burger on the menu, or do I need to go back in the kitchen and sweet talk the cook?”

“Oh, what burger? Is it meaty? I’m the kind of woman that likes her meat,” Gigi piped up, and because Missy and I both had dirty minds, and had been told way too many stories of Gigi’s dating adventures, we both started laughing and tried to cover it by coughing.

“Yeah, Gigi Girl, it's loaded with meat. But I make it healthy and add some lettuce to it.”

I rolled my eyes, and he shot me a warning look.

“My kind of burger,” Ronnie said with a laugh. “Di’s been trying to get me to eat vegetarian twice a week. That is not going to happen.”

“You and I will come here for burgers when your lady wants her veggie night, or we’ll head to Hamilton’s and watch the game and eat their chicken wings. Have you had them before? They are to die for.”

“Yeah, been known to go there and watch the game.”

“You, me, and a plate or two of wings. Next Patriots game. Di, you can have a veggie night then.”

I had to have stepped into an alternative world, because there was no way I was sitting in my best friends diner, with her, Crazy John, my recently declared boyfriend’s parents, and his neighbor discussing meat. I jumped when someone touched my arm. My eyes met Di, and she gave me a dazzling smile.

“Breathe, sweetie,” Di said, sounding exactly like Ben when he tells me to breathe. She then turned to Missy. “I’m Di, Ben’s mom and recent convert to vegetarian meals two nights a week.”,

“I’m Missy, Sasha’s best friend who makes a mean vegetarian lasagna! I’ll give you the recipe.”

“Hey Darlin’,” Ronnie said, leaning over and kissing my cheek. “Sorry for the intrusion.”

I smiled at him. “You aren’t intruding.”

He turned to Missy. “I’m Ronnie, Ben’s Dad, the non-convert to vegetarian meals two nights a week.”

They all took a seat after Ronnie, and Crazy John placed a table at the end of the booth. Drinks were ordered, conversation started to flow, and I sat taking everything in.

Out of nowhere, Crazy John leaned over, kissed my temple, and whispered, "You doin' ok?"

I nodded and smiled. “I’m doing good.”

“Ben’s good for you,” he said, and moved in closer, dropping his voice so the conversation remained between him and I. “I know I have no right to say this, but I will, just in case you have any doubts. I approve of him. He’s given you back the spark I’ve missed seeing. He has my vote to stick around, plus him being a cop means I can sleep a little easier at night knowing you are protected. First good night’s sleep I had was when I knew you were under his roof. You’ve got yourself a good man, Sassy.”

I blinked rapidly as I tried to keep the tears forming from falling. I loved this man more than he’d ever know. Who would take on the father role for two grown adults when both parents were no longer around? Crazy John would. Who would hold a woman as she completely lost it at her dad’s gravestone in the pouring rain? Crazy John would. And who would treat another man’s daughter like his own and would fit in so perfectly with everyone else in her life? Crazy John would.

“I love you,” I whispered, clasping his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. “And you have more right than anyone to say that to me.”

“It’s a real honor you saying that.”

“You’re going to make me cry,” I warned, giving him a gentle shove.

He gave me a smile and then leaned in and said, “So, Gigi Girl is very, and I mean very descriptive when she gives a rundown of her dates. You should have warned me. I did not want to know that Stan the butcher couldn’t get his old fella up. How the hell am I going to buy my sausages from him now that I know intimate details about his sausage. Fuck.”

I burst out laughing until my belly hurt, and I had tears streaming down my face. Then Gigi asked why I was laughing, and I started laughing all over again.

* * *

I flipped over my phone when it vibrated on the table and couldn’t help but smile at Ben’s name on the screen.

BEN: What do you want for lunch? I’ll pick something up and bring it to you.

After I read his text, I gazed around the people sitting with me. Di and Gigi were in deep conversation about where they thought the best shopping was, Missy and Ronnie were bonding over football, and Crazy John was staring at me and giving me one of the softest looks I’d ever seen him give me. I knew I wasn’t leaving anytime soon.

SASHA: Um, well, I am currently at Missy’s with your Mom, Dad, Gigi, Crazy John, and Missy.

BEN: What the fuck?

SASHA: They were spending the day together (I know, crazy) and I was having cake and coffee and doing some work at Missy’s, and they decided to have lunch here. I don’t think they’ll let me leave if they know I am going to you, and I kind of thought maybe we could all have lunch together.

SASHA: Oh, and I didn’t tell Gigi that I ate cake here. I don’t want her cutting me off for cheating on her cakes. That is a risk I do not want to take.

BEN: Good thinking. I won’t be happy if we lose our cake dealer. I’ll be there in half an hour. Order for me.

I clicked out of my messages and realized the table had gone quiet and now they were all looking at me.

“What’s wrong?”

Missy’s smirk grew. “Texting with Ben?”

“Yeah, he is going to come here for lunch.”

“You were smiling as you were texting.”

I rolled my eyes. “Well, he was saying funny things, which made me smile.”

“I like this,” Ronnie said beside me.

“I’m telling you,” Gigi hooted loudly and gained everyone's attention. “I’m sensing a wedding in our future, Di! Missy, you better start planning an epic bachelorette party. We can get Benjamin’s two friends to be the entertainment. I’ll be on cake duty. There’s a new florist opening three stores down; they can do the flowers.”

“Uh,” I stuttered, still stuck on the thought of Austin and Carson, who I assumed she meant, as being the entertainment at the bachelorette party I was supposedly having. “Gigi, just calm down a little. He only asked me to order his lunch.”

“Gees, Blondie, getting you to order his lunch is the first step,” she said, then she turned to Di and dramatically huffed, “Kids these days. They just don’t get it.”