“You’re still home?” I ask. “It’s not even curfew.”“Thought I’d grace you all with my presence.” She pauses to smile.”

“You make me proud every day.” Lucy and I start to groan, ready to tell him to stop being so sappy, when he laughs. “And I’m most proud when you’re home by curfew without any boys around.”

“I’ve missed you so much,” I whisper as he kisses my neck. “Even when I didn’t know you, my soul still missed you.”

“To fall in love with him even though I was right here?”“You’re not really my type, Abe,” I say.“I’m too handsome?” He grins.“Too evil.”

“Thought you said this was just dinner?”Abe opens the glass door and holds it for me. As I pass by him, he lowers his head so that his voice is close to my ear. “It’s never just dinner.”

“Harlin needs you,” she whispers. “He loves you too much.”I smile a little. “I know. But I like that about him.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Elise,” he says, a slow, sexy smile pulling at his lips. “I’m Harlin.”