“I just called to ask you for dinner.” I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. “Not to get married.”

“I guess it would be nice to make some new friends,” she said slowly. “If you’re sure you don’t mind having a friend who could be in the loony bin.”

“You’ll fit right in.” I smiled, suddenly happy that we were back on track. “Can you make it tonight?”

“Tonight?” She sounded surprised. “I’m not sure.”

“Please?” I closed my eyes and pictured her face. “It would be nice to see you again,” I said honestly.

“Well, since you ask that nicely,” she laughed, “I’d love to.”

“Great. Shall I pick you up?”

“I can make my way to you. Where do you live?”

“Los Feliz.”

“Oh, fancy.”

“What about you?”

“Los Feliz as well.”

“Oh, well, I guess you’re fancy, too.”

“I’m not sure you could call the apartment complex I live in fancy. Maybe a fancy dump.”

“Well, I live with my brother, and so while his place isn’t a dump, I can’t claim it as my own.”

“I look forward to seeing it.”

“I look forward to seeing you.” I almost whispered into the phone, lightheaded. I was amazed that I was really enjoying the conversation and was anxious to see her again. I hadn’t thought that I could feel so into someone new with the other worries in my mind. A part of me was ashamed that I was allowing light and happiness into my life while Skylar was still stuck in the dark. I shook my head to stop the sad thoughts from creeping in and taking over.

“Well, if you’re a good boy, you may even get a goodnight kiss,” she teased me happily.

“Then I’ll have to be very good.”

“Noah?” Zane opened the front door and stared at me on the phone. “I thought I heard someone outside. You okay?”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I’ll be right in. I’m on the phone.”

He looked at me with an almost accusatory stare and I suddenly realized that he thought I was on the phone with Mom. “A new friend of mine is coming over to dinner tonight. We’re just making plans,” I explained to him, and the wariness in his eyes faded.

“Oh, okay.” He stepped back. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”

“See you in a minute.” I waited for him to go back in before continuing. “Sorry about that, Robin, my brother came outside.”

“That’s okay. I should get going anyway. Text me your address and what time to be there and I’ll see you later tonight.”

“Sounds good.”

“Shall I bring anything?”

“Just yourself.”

I stood outside for a few minutes after we got off the phone to gather my thoughts. I had initially called Robin to soothe Lucky’s fears and worries, but I was genuinely excited for her to come to dinner. More excited than I should be, but I wasn’t really surprised. I had been attracted to her the first time I’d seen her. And now that I was getting to know her, I was even more drawn to her. I liked her honesty and wit. I liked the way she challenged me and wasn’t afraid to say what she felt. She didn’t seem like she was a girl who was into games. What you saw was what you got. And she seemed like a good person. My heart thudded as I thought about Robin and the feelings that were already developing in me. I was scared. I had been wrong once before. I had allowed sex to manipulate my mind and now I was paying the ultimate price. “They’re not the same.” I muttered to myself. I didn’t want to compare them, but I was already doubting my instincts. What did I really know about Robin? Was I allowing sex to guide me again? I had gotten it wrong before. Very wrong. And now I didn’t know what to think. As I stood there, I thought back to the moment in Palm Bonita when I had realized that maybe she was the bad news she had been warning me about all along.

“You coming?” She’d grabbed my hand and pulled me into the small room besides her. “I don’t think this is a good idea.” I mumbled but followed her in. “Let’s go.” I watched as she went through the drawers and pulled out items of clothing and stuffed them into her bag. “Let’s go.” I said louder this time, hoping she sensed my displeasure and the urgency with which I wanted to leave. “This isn’t cool.”

“You thought it was cool when you thought we were going to have sex in here.” She rolled her eyes at me. “So you’re fine with having sex in a stranger’s house, but not borrowing stuff?”

“You’re not borrowing anything. You’re stealing.” I grabbed her arm and pulled her toward me. “I thought it would be kind of kinky to make love in a stranger’s house, I admit it. But it was a bad idea. Let’s go.”

“Hold on, let me see what she has in the closet first.” She pulled away from me, and her voice was harsh. “I heard she had a Chanel handbag in here somewhere.” She threw clothes on the ground and then I heard her take a sharp breath as she stuffed something in her bag. “Louis Vuitton will do.” She turned towards me with a seductive glance. “Now, if you want to get laid, I’m all yours.” I watched her in horror and lust as she pulled her top off and then pulled her bra off as she walked towards me. “Take me, Noah.”

“No, no. I can’t.” I resisted the urge to grab her and bend her over.

“You know you want to.” She pressed her lips against mine aggressively and I pulled away in distaste.

“No. Let’s go.”

“Fuck me, asshole, or I’ll tell Mr. and Mrs. Smith that you broke in.”

“What?” I looked at her in disbelief.

“I’m joking.” She stepped back and slipped her shirt back on. “Let’s go.” And then we walked out of the back door, just as easily as we had entered. “What do you want to do now?”

“I think I’m just going to go home.” I walked away from her without looking her in the eyes. I felt disgusted with myself, and I couldn’t stop the churning feeling of horror that was seeping into my veins. What we had done hadn’t been sexy or fun. It had been invasive and creepy. Who was I becoming? This wasn’t who I was. But now I was starting to wonder who she was.

“Noah,” she called after me and I turned to look at her slowly, trying to ignore the mixed feelings that rushed through me at her face. “Remember what I said before.” She looked at me coldly as she held a finger up to her lips. I turned away from her and walked away quickly with my heart pounding. I didn’t know what to think or say but all of a sudden I wanted to be anywhere but in Palm Bonita. That night I had insomnia and all I could think of was how disappointed Zane would be with me. And so I went to my stash of cash and slipped $5,000 in an envelope and left it in the Smith’s mailbox. Giving them the cash helped to assuage some of my guilt, but I still felt uneasy. That was the day that I realized that she had an evil side. And I was scared that I had gotten her all wrong.

“You coming in, Noah?” Lucky opened the door and peeked out at me with a smile.

“Yeah, sorry. Just got distracted.”

“So what’s this I hear about a dinner date?” Her voice was excited and happy, and I knew that at least I had gotten one thing right.

“Remember that waitress at the restaurant?”

“The one that didn’t like you?”

“Yeah,” I laughed. “Well she’s coming over to dinner tonight.”

“Tonight!” Her jaw fell open and I could see a million questions in her eyes. “Come inside, we need to decide what to cook.”

“I’m sure whatever you make will be good.” I followed her inside and into the kitchen.

“Whatever I decide to cook?” She laughed and shook her head. “You Beaumont brothers are really incorrigible.” She slipped her arm through mine and smiled up at me. “There is no way I’m cooking the whole dinner tonight. But I’ll help.”

“Please, Lucky.” I gave her a pleading smile and she shook her head.

“Nope. Anyways, it will be more romantic if you cook most of it. Right, Zane?” She looked over at him and he rolled his eyes.

“I have no clue.” He shrugged. “I don’t care who cooks the food as long as it tastes good.”

“Zane.” Lucky frowned at him. “So I guess you don’t want me to cook anymore.”

“No, no, no. That’s not what I meant,” he backtracked quickly and I chuckled.

“Now, now, children. No need to bicker.” I looked down at Lucky and saw the mirth in her eyes as she beamed up at me.

“What about steak?”

“That sounds good.”

“Is she vegetarian, though?” She suddenly frowned.

“I have no idea.” I shrugged. “Should I call and ask her?”

“No, no.” She pursed her lips. “I’m sure she would have said if she was.”

“Who is she?” Zane interrupted us with a confused look. “Who are you two talking about?”

“Robin.” Lucky and I said at the same time and laughed.

“And Robin is who?” Zane looked just as confused, and I caught him glaring at the intersection of my arm with Lucky’s.

“The girl from the restaurant last week.” Lucky detached herself from me and walked over and gave him a big kiss and put her arms around his neck. “I would have thought you would have remembered her, the way you were going on about her.”

“The restaurant?” He kissed her back and ran his hands up and down her back. “Oh, the bitch?” He looked at me in surprise. “I know I joked around and told you she wanted you, but I was just joking, bro, no need to follow up on it.”

“I totally asked her out because you told me she wanted me.” I rolled my eyes at him and then looked at Lucky. “How did he get you? You seem like too smart a girl to fall for my dumbass brother.”

“Watch your mouth.” Zane grinned at me. “She recognized an awesome guy when she saw one.”

“I did?” Lucky blinked. “Where is he?”

“See what you’ve done now, Noah?” He tickled Lucky and she squealed as she tried to get away from him.

“Stop,” she cried out as she laughed. “I need to help Noah.”

“See what you have to look forward to?” Zane pulled Lucky towards him and held her in his arms and kissed her head.

“Doesn’t look so bad.”

“It’s not so bad. She’s not so bad. I think I’ll keep her.”

“Really, Zane Beaumont?” She glared up at him.

“Uh oh. I better leave you guys to it, before she decides to call off the wedding.” Zane made a face and I laughed.

“Have you guys set a date yet?”

“No.” Lucky shook her head. “I can’t decide if we should get married before or after the babies are born.”

“I say we fly to Vegas tomorrow and just get it over with.” Zane grinned. “We could have Elvis serenade us.”

“Yeah, why not?” Lucky rolled her eyes. “Idiot.” She mumbled under her breath and winked at me. “Now let’s talk dinner. How’s about steak, herb-roasted potatoes and a big salad?”

“If I get to make the salad,” I laughed. “Or grill the steak. I have no idea how to make herb-roasted potatoes.”

“So do you like Robin?” Lucky looked at me quizzically. “Like a lot?”

“Lucky, he just met the girl. Give him a chance to get to know her before you have us at a double wedding.”

“I do think I like her.” I nodded slowly. “At least, what I know of her so far seems pretty great.”

“So this may be the first of many dates?” Lucky looked excited. “Like we could go on a double date sometime soon?”

“Slow down, there.” I laughed, and watched as Zane gave me a look as if to say ‘I told you so.’ “Let’s get through this dinner first.”

“She’s very beautiful.” Lucky stared at me. “I mean, she was a bit of a shrew, but she’s beautiful.”

“She apologized to me.” I saw them look at me in surprise. “I saw her the other day when I was running. She’s nice, nicer than that day in the restaurant.”

“It’s the waitresses these days. They think they can talk to you any way that they want.” Zane laughed as Lucky hit him in the arm. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Ass.” Lucky shook her head at him. “But I’m glad you like her. I think she seemed pretty nice.”

“Yeah. I think I’m willing to give it a chance. See where it goes.” I was surprised at the words as they came out of my mouth. I hadn’t realized until that moment that I really was interested in seeing how everything went. “I think it’s time for me to move on with my life.” I smiled at them both briefly. “Now, shall we get cooking?”

“Yes, Zane go and get the …” Lucky started talking, but I was distracted by my ringing phone.

“Excuse me.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket. “I hope that’s not Robin calling to cancel already.” I joked and then looked at the screen. All the blood drained out of my face as I saw the name flashing on my phone. It was Skylar. My heart stopped for a moment as I stared at the phone. Questions ran through my brain as I hurried out of the kitchen to answer the call.