The evening finally hit a good grove during dinner. Stories were shared, as was laughter. Sam and Sarah seemed to relax in the group. I knew Billy also sensed it when he caught my eye and shared a wink.

"Okay, someone has to take the old lady home now," Mary announced as the conversation began to die down.

"Well, that's our cue," Tim responded as he stood from the table and stretched. "Billy, thanks for having us over. Sarah, always a pleasure. Sam, good to see you. Lil, you were here," he teased.

"Hey!" I threw my napkin at him in protest. "Don't eat that, by the way," I joked.

"Ha ha, so funny, Lilipop. I'll see you tomorrow, I'm sure," he added through a yawn.

"You better!"

"Why don't you all come to my place for brunch around ten?" Mary offered.

"Don't have to ask me twice," Tim agreed.

"We know, dear," Tess poked.

"Sounds great, mom," Billy added as he also stood and held out a hand to Mary to help her stand.

As often as Billy was a gentleman, it still pulled a smile to my face.

"Mary, it was so good to see you." I stood and hugged her. "I look forward to catching up more!"

"I'm going to walk my mom out; I'll be right back," Billy murmured to Sarah before bending to kiss her cheek.

Once the group had left, Sam, Sarah, and I were left in awkward silence.

"So, Lily, tell me how you and Billy met." Sarah broke the silence.

"Oh, well; he was playing a club in Portland, and I was there," I began.

"So you were a fan?" Sarah prodded.

"Not really. I was there to break up with my boyfriend at the time. I figured a loud concert in a public place would reduce the likelihood of a scene," I explained.

"Wow, no more concerts for us," Sam chuckled.

"I honestly didn't hear a note Billy played at that show. I was out front afterward, and he was there smoking a cigarette. We just got to talking and became fast friends," I finished.

"That's cute," Sarah gave a pinched smile.

"What club?" Sam asked, trying to build on the momentum of the conversation.

"Geno's on Congress," I answered.

"I've never been there," he nodded.

"Really?" I was surprised; Geno's was an institution. "We have to go sometime."

"No way, I hear it's your break-up spot," Sam jested.

"You have nothing to worry about, my love," I offered as I leaned in for a kiss.

"You two are adorable," Sarah noted from across the table.

I pulled away from Sam and mumbled an apology.

"Don't be. It sets me at ease. Billy had tried to explain you two so many times, but I have to admit, I get jealous when he talks about you sometimes," Sarah admitted.

"Same," Sam eagerly agreed.

"It's like they have their own social construct or something. It's so intimidating," Sarah added.

"And that room," Sam continued.

"I know. Have you ever heard them argue?" Sarah asked.

"Yes, they'll cuss each other out, and then the next minute, they're fine. How does that work?" Sam piled on.

"What is happening?" Billy mumbled from behind me.

"Our significant others are bonding over complaints about us," I explained.

"Should we stop them?" He asked.

"I honestly don't know. I mean, we want them to be friends, but..."

"At the expense of us?" Billy whispered.

"They're doing it right now," Sarah pointed out.

"Fuck, I didn't even know he was back." Sam jolted in his seat at Billy's not-so-sudden presence.

"So, are you two mad at us or..." Billy carefully asked.

"He always thinks I'm mad at him," Sarah complained to Sam.

"I have heard that he is quite the martyr," Sam agreed.

"Okay, yeah. I definitely dislike this," Billy declared.

"Billy, let them bond," I chided.

"Oh, don't think you aren't the same shade of weird, Lil. I love you, but tell me again why you've never listened to any of Billy's songs?" Sam prodded.

"What? None of it? But you two have been friends for years." The shock covered Sarah's face.

"Right, but we're friends regardless of the work. I just want to protect my friendship with Billy," I offered.

"Because that makes sense," Sam laughed.

"Okay, yeah. I'm with Billy. I don't care for this at all." I crossed my arms and slumped back in my chair.

"Really? Because this has been my favorite part of the night," Sam offered.

"Agreed," Sarah said as she lifted her glass to Sam.

"Great, now you two both hate us," Billy complained.

"They are so sensitive." Sarah rolled her eyes.

"You know we love you. It's just nice to talk to someone that has the same perspective on whatever the hell you two are," Sam offered as he slung an arm around me.

"Friends," Billy and I said in unison.

"Well, now we're friends too." Sam nodded to Sarah as he spoke.

"Yes, we're all friends, but this friend is exhausted," Sarah yawned.

"Me too," Sam agreed.

"Oh, yeah. I guess it is getting kind of late." The clock was past ten when I looked at it.

"I'll go up with you," Billy offered to Sarah.

"Sweetie, we both know you won't even think of sleeping for another two hours," Sarah teased.

"Yeah, babe, we're only in town for a week. You and Billy catch up," Sam added.

"Are you sure? It won't bother you?" I skeptically asked.

"I've told you before; I trust you," Sam soothed.

"Unless she wants to take you the Geno's," Sarah jested.

"Well then, all trust is broken," Sam chuckled back. "I'll walk you upstairs." Sam helped a hand out to Sarah to help her from her seat.

They headed down the hall, chatting a laughing to each other.

"What the hell just happened?" Billy said in shock.

"I think the phrase is 'be careful what you wish for,'" I joked.

"Couch?" Billy asked as he held out a hand to help me from the table.

We slumped down together, and I slid to his side as he nestled an arm around me.

"So, how bad is the back?" I began.

"Wow, didn't hold back there at all." Billy laughed.

"Don't avoid the question," I stubbornly prodded.

"It's fine. It only bothers me when I stand, sit, or lie down," Billy mumbled.

"Billy!" I scolded. "Have you been to a doctor?"

"I have actually."

"And..."

"They think I should stop writhing around on stage so much. So, basically, he doesn't want me to be me."

"Billy, take care of yourself," I scolded again.

"I know, Lil. I'm trying. I have a masseuse here and go at least once a week, and I'm thinking of getting a hot tub. Sherry, she gives me the massages, thinks it might help loosen things up a bit."

"That's a good idea." The conversation dropped for a minute as we leaned further into each other. Billy's hand rubbed up and down my arm in a soothing manner. "How are you and Sarah?"

"Good. I mean, we have our moments..."

"As do Sam and me," I agreed.

"Yeah, but it's good, really good, actually."

"Really good?" I prodded.

Billy stood up and grabbed a vase from the fireplace mantel. He tipped the contents into his hand and tossed the tiny box to me.

"Seriously?" I said in shock as I caught the box.

"I've had it for about a month now," he noted.

I cracked open the box to see the largest diamond I had ever seen. While it was nothing I would ever want, it screamed Sarah.

"What do you think, Lil? Am I nuts?"

"No!" I immediately said. "Do you love her? Like the rest of your life, love her?"

"Yeah, I mean, she fits. She gets my work and helps me with all the sea of strangers stuff. She just fits."

"And you love her?" I prodded again.

Billy looked me straight in the eyes, and I could tell he was challenging himself. This is what he had been waiting for; if he could look me in the eye and admit he was in love with Sarah, he'd believe it. I played my role and held his gaze.

"Yeah," his voice cracked at first. "I'm in love with her, Lily." He ended strong, and I could tell he was surprised.

"You're getting engaged." I smiled as I snapped the box shut and tossed it back to him.

"I'm getting engaged," he agreed.