“The croissants can just be warmed up a little in the oven if she likes.” That was Ev. “Oh, we should pop the juice in the fridge.”

“Good idea,” said Lena.

“Hey.” I raised my hand in greeting. “What’s all this?”

Lena rushed toward me, giving me a fierce hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay. Thank goodness Ziggy was there to stop that lunatic from hurting you.”

“I’m fine.” I patted her on the back. “Really. He’s the one that got hurt. Hi, Ev. Thank you so much for all this, you guys. Is this all from your café?”

Ev smiled, a takeout coffee in hand. “It is. And it’s the least we can do after everything you’ve been through. I’m so glad you’re okay.”

Ziggy stood near the closed door, T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers in place. Along with his professional face. He stood straight and tall, hand hanging loose by his side. No one would suspect a thing. Surely. Not that I was embarrassed by my new relationship with Ziggy. But I wasn’t sure when and how he wanted it to become public knowledge. But also, when something was this new, you kind of wanted to just enjoy it privately for a while.

The phone rang, the little button for reception lighting up. Ziggy answered it in a low voice before putting a hand over the receiver.

“What is it?” I asked.

Something in his jaw jumped. “Your ex is downstairs.”

“My ex?”

His nod was a sharp jerk.

“Huh.” I pondered the situation for all of half a second. It was tempting to send him on his way without giving him a minute of my time. That’s probably what he deserved, but still… “Ask them to send him up please.”

He paused, quickly burying whatever he felt about the situation. “Whatever you want, Miss Cooper.”

Oh yeah. This morning was going just great. But fuck it, it was time to face my demons.

Lena stepped back with a worried frown on her face. “Do you want us to go, or…”

“No. It’s fine,” I decided. “This shouldn’t take long.”

“Whatever you say.” Lena grabbed a coffee too and made herself at home on the couch. Ev soon sat down beside her.

Ziggy hadn’t relaxed any. Guess I could understand that. Maybe he was a smidgeon jealous. I certainly didn’t look forward to ever meeting any of his exes (but you could bet I’d do it wearing Louboutins). Or maybe he’d already stopped one crazy person with a knife from getting at me this week. The ex had done a lot of damage to me without being allowed a second swing now. Though maybe this time things could be different. Thing is, I’d never know unless I tried. And I really wanted to try.

When the knock came, Ziggy opened the door without a word.