Sage had begged Sloane to meet them at the gallery. "My flight doesn't land until after six."

"Come on. Just hire a car to pick you up at Logan. We'll go to dinner after."

Sloane finally relented. It was a girls' night out because Aidan was out of town and Ted had little Ed.

"My sister-in-law is coming too."

"I know Mia's coming. Hey, we may have the same sister-in-law."

"No doubt we will, but I meant Brenna."

Thankfully, her flight was on time. She freshened up in the plane's lav and rushed out to the curb where her car was waiting. It would wait outside the gallery with her luggage.

When Sloane entered the gallery, she walked to her friends. She greeted them with hugs. As much as Mia and Tori looked similar, she and Brenna did, as well. She was tall and would be thin if not for being pregnant. Sloane wasn't a good judge, but she looked further along than Sage.

When she turned for a glass of champagne, she eyed Ben across the room. He wore a suit and looked delicious. She turned back to her friends when her eyes wandered back to him. He shocked her by talking to her ex-sister-in-law, Elaine. She couldn't imagine what Elaine was saying to him. She probably didn't know they played baseball with a ball.

Elaine turned towards her and scowled as Ben glared. She felt sick and took deep breaths when she realized he was walking toward her. She almost gasped when he took her arm and pulled her aside. It wasn't until he began talking that she felt his grip. She didn't think he knew how tight he held on.

"You need to stop following me." His voice was icy.

She tried to step back but couldn't. "What did she say to you?"

"What I already knew. You're a gold digger. I do not know how you know Mrs. Calhoun. Why are you smiling?" Elaine must have been referring to Mia, and he thought she meant her. She wanted to say the only Mrs. Calhoun was her own mother. "Stop following me and stay away from my sister. I have one woman in my life trying to take my money, I don't need another."

When he released her, she smiled and tried to look unfazed, because she didn't want to attract attention.

"What did he want?" Tori looked excited.

"Nothing. I'm not feeling great. I'll see you later."

She left before anyone could attempt to sway her to stay. She was barely holding it together when arms caught her. She turned into Monty and hugged him. "Hi luscious." He whispered in his sexy voice. She should have laughed, but she was losing the battle with the tears.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Monty's voice was gentle as he wiped away her tears.

She shook her head. "I just need to go."

"I was going outside. They won't let me vape inside. Come on."

She left with Monty's arm supporting her. Once he walked her to the waiting car, she slid inside. She watched as he leaned against the wall and dragged on his electronic cigarette. Alone in the backseat, she let the tears fall. Only a part of her felt sad, but she was mostly mad at herself for liking a player who was a jerk. Part of it was her fault because she hid her own identity. She just wanted to be liked or hated for herself not her name. She had to scrounge for attention her entire life and learned to appreciate it when it was genuine. Her friendship with Kenzie was real and other than Dom, she was the first new friend Sloane had made since college. Both friendships were based on lies. Maybe she needed to start telling the truth, starting with Dom.

What did Ben mean by a woman who was trying to take his money? Did he have an ex-wife or girlfriend? Somehow, his last comment left her feeling sorry for him, not mad. If he wanted her out of his life, she would honor his wish.

Thankfully, her parents were out when she arrived at home. She showered and went to bed. Exhaustion ruled over emotion, because she fell right to sleep. She always slept better in her own bed. When she woke, she felt refreshed and had a busy weekend ahead. She could live her life without being obsessed over Benjamin Lynch. After all, she wasn't a teenager and the baseball season was almost over.

Sloane spent the day doing paperwork and planning for the following week. She thought about telling Dom the truth. As she ran through scenarios in her head, each time ended the same. He looked hurt because she had lied to him. Did she ever lie, or did she omit the truth? When he asked about her weekend, she told him she saw some friends when in truth she had worn a designer gown and sipped champagne as she saw her friends. She and the man, she was determined not to think about, were similar. He was afraid people would use him for his money, and she was afraid people would only like her because of hers. Money made life easier, but it caused a lot of problems.

Teddy knew about the problems money causes more than anyone. She remembered Elaine's comments to Ben and knew she needed to tell her brother what his ex was saying. She planned to stop by to see Mia's apartment later. It upset Tori when she heard Ted had offered Sloane the apartment. Their youngest sister hadn't wanted a condo. The complex was too far from her school, but the Victorian was a perfect location for her.

When she arrived, only Mia was home.

"Are you feeling better? Sage felt bad she insisted on you coming."

"I'm fine. I was just tired."

"Who was the guy who was so intense? Truthfully, he looked as bad as your brother when he's Edward."

Sloane laughed. "Edward? I know him. I always disappointed him growing up, but Teddy always loves me."

"They both love me." Mia smiled and blushed. "So the guy. Dish."

"He's the one I gave my condo to."

"No wonder! He has a hot body." Mia looked around after she said it as if she felt guilty.

"I think it's okay. Ted probably knows he can't compete with a professional athlete. Unfortunately, this athlete doesn't like me."

"He's a jerk then. Come on. I'll show you my apartment. I guess it's yours. I'm still moving my clothes over. Ted is regretting not building more closet space."

They walked through the apartment. It looked much like Ted's except it was opposite. She liked the back staircase and preferred using the back stairs in her own home. Ted's stairs took up more room, so she had a bigger living space. Upstairs were two large bedrooms and a huge closet sufficient for her clothes, and she had a lot. Maybe it wouldn't be enough for two wardrobes as they had next door. There was a third, much smaller room that would work for an office.

"Maybe you can use this smaller bedroom for your clothes." Sloane suggested as she peeked in that door.

Mia shrugged. "We'll figure it out. So what do you think?"

"I like it. It's a lot of space for just weekends."

"If you want my furniture, you can have it all. It's cheap, but it could get you started."

She looked at the modest bedroom furniture and thought at least she'd have a bed. When they returned to the other apartment, Ted was home and pouring glasses of wine.

"Are you ready to move in?"

She didn't have many belongings and could easily settle in. She smiled. "Can I move in tomorrow?"

"It's up to you but it's yours, just pay your rent on time. This isn't a free offer."

Mia looked up at Ted. "This will be fun."

"Am I going to lose you to my sister?" He was dead serious and Sloane wanted to laugh. It was obvious Mia only wanted to spend time with Ted.

"Of course, not." Mia leaned into him.

Sloane interrupted. "Just so you know, I don't babysit."

Ted turned to Mia as if he were revealing a secret. "She doesn't like kids."

"I don't dislike them! I just don't feel comfortable with them. I'm not a cold fish like the bitch you married. She was introducing herself as Mrs. Calhoun last night." Ted's face turned stony. "And worse, she called Mia a gold digger."

Ted nodded as he possessively pulled Mia into him. "I'll deal with her." Edward's voice filled the room.

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