Teri raced over to Aria when she and Eli entered the foyer of the apartment building and threw her arms around her. “I’ve missed you so much!”

Aria stepped backwards with the force of the impact. “Whoa. I’ve missed you too, sweetie.”

Teri leaned closer and muttered, “I’ve been stuck at school for weeks. It’s hell.”

Aria laughed. “You’re out now. We get to dress up and go to a ball together. It’ll be like a fairy tale.”

“I’m just happy to get out of there,” Teri said.

Aria stifled a laugh. “It can’t be that bad. Now, don’t be so gloomy. We’re going to have a good time.”

“Maybe,” Teri mumbled. “But only because you’re here.”

“Thank you.” Aria was touched, and she knew that even if the meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood went pear-shaped, Teri would be on her side. The girl would be a great aunt.

As they entered Eli’s apartment, sunlight warmed his skin, beaming into the living room through the glass walls. He deposited his bag in the bedroom, which boasted a perfectly made bed with hospital corners and the coverlet folded back. When he returned to the lounge, Teri was heading for the exit.

“I’m going to see Kelly,” she said on her way out, referring to her friend who lived down the hall.

“Be back before three,” he called. “You need to be here to get ready for tonight.”

With a quick nod, she was out the door. Eli led Aria, who’d returned from the guest bedroom, into the lounge.

Her eyes were bright and her cheeks flushed. “This place is fantastic. I can’t believe you have a personal spa bath. I’m so jealous.”

“Are you?” he asked, his imagination firing up with pictures of the erotic things he could do with her in a spa.

“It looks wonderful. Can I use it later?”

He smiled. “Absolutely. I’m glad you like it.” He wondered if he could convince her to move into this apartment permanently. It had occurred to him that having Aria in Auckland would be much more convenient than being separated by half the length of the country.

She walked over to the wall where he knew the view over the harbor was superb. “I love it,” she said. “And the view is gorgeous.”

The light played across her curls, and when she turned to smile at him, the air whooshed from his lungs. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Eli crossed the room and slid an arm around her waist, facing the water with her. Dozens of white yachts were floating on the water, and Waiheke Island was green on the horizon.