“I don’t know what your plans are, but you’re welcome to hang out here,” Lina said. “You can order a movie. We won’t bother you.”

Matt looked down at Katie. “Up to you.”

It was after 1:00 a.m. when Lina followed Knight into her bedroom. She’d spent most of the evening in the family room with Logan, watching a movie and feeling riddled with guilt over her kiss with Nick, while Katie and Matt watched the television in the upstairs rec room. She’d checked on them twice, once when she delivered a bowl of popcorn and a second time when she pretended to be concerned about where Knight ran off to. On the second occasion, it was obvious from Katie’s swollen lips and Matt’s deep breathing that she had interrupted a make-out session, but to her great relief they were both fully clothed.

Lina rolled over in her bed, burying her face in her pillow. She’d dreamt she was having sex with Phil, and it felt so real her body was still in a heightened state of arousal. It was the first sexual dream she could recall having, and she’d had it the night after kissing Nick for the first time. It had to mean something. She closed her eyes and attempted to go back to sleep but couldn’t stop fantasizing about Phil, so she reached for her cell phone and pulled up the images from Kim. As anticipated, her desire for him was extinguished but not her confusion, and it was almost light out before she fell back to sleep.

A low whine and a cold nose ensured that Lina no longer stayed in bed past 9:00 a.m. “Okay, Knight, okay.”

She was in the front yard, bundled in one of the few sweatshirts Phil left behind, tossing Knight a ball, when Phil arrived. Anxiety filled her chest at the memory of her kiss with Nick. “What are you doing here? It’s barely nine.”

“I’m picking them up for church. They didn’t tell you?”

“No.” She reached out to take the ball from Knight’s mouth, but he trotted over to Phil, pushing the ball against his thigh.

To Knight’s obvious delight, Phil threw the ball three times farther than Lina could, and Knight charged after it. “You’re welcome to join us,” he said.

“No.”

“Why haven’t you looked at me since I arrived? What are you feeling so guilty about?” Phil asked.

“Nothing.” She began to perspire despite the chill in the air.

“Dad?” They turned to the door at the sound of Katie’s voice. “Can I just go to a later service? I—”

“No.”

“Why—”