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I leaned my shoulder against his chest, hands dripping over the sink with soapy bubbles, and lifted my head for a kiss. My heart skipped a beat whenever he gave me affection without hesitation, and my mouth lingered, savoring Graham’s touch.

“I’ll see you in a few hours? They’ll bring me back, right?”

A laugh punched up from my gut, and I nodded my head. “Yes, they’ll bring you back and we’ll have dinner together before they leave us alone for the rest of the night.” I emphasized my suggestion with what I considered a saucy wink, but might have appeared to be an eyelash in my eye.

“Are you flirting with me?”

A sigh escaped my throat. “If you have to ask, I’m not doing it right.”

Before Graham chanced a reply, Ri and Yu grabbed his arms and marched him out of the kitchen, and I glanced at Echo. When I caught her eye, I laughed.

“You think he’ll survive?” Echo asked.

“He’ll be fine.” And I knew he would be. His patience knew no bounds, and although he acted as though the twins scared him, he confided in me how nice it was when they treated him like another big brother. And seeing how protective my sisters were with Graham, I knew they felt the same.

I finished up the dishes and pulled out both the all-purpose and cake flour, and the other ingredients for three cakes and frosting, including a pound of strawberries, several lemons, the poppyseeds, and the cocoa powder.

“What are you doing?” Hensley asked.

“I wanted to surprise Graham with a three-tiered birthday cake with buttercream frosting and homemade lasagna, because it’s his favorite.”

The blank expression on Hensley’s face warmed my heart. Although we’d known each other for a short time, Graham confided in me about things he’d told no one else. Somehow, it also made me sad for Hensley, and I reached out and squeezed her hand.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Yeah, I’m happy that… he’s happy. I’ve never seen him smile as much as I have today. When we broke up, it was sort of cordial. There wasn’t any yelling on his part. I screamed, telling him he was an unfeeling, emotional void, among other nasty things I can’t repeat.”

I pulled her into a hug and when she sniffled, held her tighter. Echo, not able to stand anyone in distress, stood and hurried over, wrapping her arms around both of us as we swayed together.

“He agreed with your assessment and told me so when I met him. You don’t have to feel guilty, Hensley. I know he wants the best for you. Are you happy?”

Rather than my statement being soothing, she sobbed against my chest. I met Echo’s pained face, and without speaking, we squeezed Hensley tighter and I rubbed her back. As she released all the emotions she must’ve been holding in for a long time, she sagged against me and Echo.

“I’m sorry—”

“No, angel, you never have to apologize for having a good cry. I have one of those at least once a week,” I told her.

“It’s just the question, about being happy. No, I haven’t been in a while.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked.

Echo added, “I promise not to judge or be an obnoxious shrew about it.”

“Let me wash my face and then, yeah, I’d love some advice.”

I nodded and led her past the living room and to the stairs. “The bedroom is up and to the right. If you need to shower, towels are in the cabinet behind the door, and you can raid whatever’s in the closet or the drawers.”

“Are you sure?”

“Hensley, you are welcome here. Anytime. I’d like to think we’re friends now and I’d do anything for my friends.” I squeezed her hand and gave her to be what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “Take your time and we’ll be in the kitchen when you’re ready.”

I hugged her for support, before she gave me a watery smile and headed up the stairs. With a heavy heart, I turned and shuffled toward the kitchen. I hoped that whatever bothered the beautiful woman, we could somehow help with.

When I heard the shower turn on, I smiled as I rejoined Echo. “Hey, E, how are you doing?”

“If I haven’t said it in a while, I love being part of this crazy family.”

“I’m glad you chose me to be your friend. Thanks for standing up for me earlier.”