“Yes. I said you were far too busy and important to spend time hanging around here with me. But you probably should lie low for a couple of days, just to be safe.”

Nicole felt a soaring sense of gratitude. “I can’t believe you did that for me.”

“I know, I’m a hero. And I didn’t even get anything out of it for myself because they cut the mention of my book.” Brendan winked at her. “If I’m not careful there will be rumors that I’m a good guy, and I can’t have that. I work hard at making my life seem murky and mysterious, in keeping with my author persona.”

Nicole laughed. “Does this mean that I actually have to set up a production company?”

Brendan helped himself to the last sandwich on Joel’s plate. “I don’t know, but I’ve heard worse ideas in my time. Shame you’re not still in the country or we could have a meeting about it.”

Milly sank onto the edge of the sofa. “So now what?”

Joel picked up the empty plate. “Now I make more sandwiches, given that Brendan has eaten them all. After that, you go back to work and do whatever you do. We don’t want to raise suspicions. Nicole stays here. Brendan goes back to editing his book.”

“You mean I go back to staring out the window. That’s how writers spend their day.”

“Why don’t I cook dinner for us all tonight?” Milly made the suggestion tentatively. “Zoe is spending the evening with my mother and Nanna Peg. I can do it here, so that Nicole doesn’t have to leave the house.”

Brendan looked at Milly, and his expression softened. “I’d rather have you to myself than share you with these two, but I suppose it depends on what you’re cooking. Is it lemon chicken?”

Nicole saw Milly blush.

“It could be lemon chicken.”

“Great. In that case I’ll bring the wine. Tonight will be dinner with friends. Our date can wait until tomorrow.”

Dinner with friends.

Nicole looked at the three of them.

Milly had given her sanctuary, and Joel had done the same. Brendan had willingly stepped in to protect her from the press. And she knew without doubt that she could trust every person in this room.

A lump formed in her throat. “I thought I was going to have to do this on my own. Handle it on my own.”

“No chance,” Joel said, and Milly shook her head.

“We are all in it together.”

“I wasn’t in anything at all,” Brendan said, “until Milly threatened never to make me her lemon chicken again. Now I’m all in.”

Nicole didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.