I sigh and climb out of the car because I know Skye will be meowing. Taking care of her for the past few days has disabused me of any notion about getting a pet of my own. I work too much to spend time with a living animal that expects an owner who will do more than sleep.

“Evie!”

I pause halfway up the driveway and glance over to see Juliet Phillips crossing the thin strip of grass that separates my parents’ property from the mansion next door.

“Hi, Juliet.” I give her a tired smile.

“I was worried I’d missed you! Will you come over for dinner tonight? I made way too much.”

I contemplate the convenient offer. “Did my mom put you up to this? Tell you I can’t cook?”

Juliet laughs. “No. I feel bad you have to stay here because of my silly allergies. You just started your own life here. The least I can do is feed you a home-cooked meal. Take a night off from reheating.” She winks. “Henry tells me things have been hectic at the hospital.”

“They have been,” I agree.

“So… is that a yes?”

“That’s a yes.” I wasn’t exactly looking forward to heating up another frozen pizza.

“Great! Come on over whenever you’re ready.” Juliet smiles, then heads back for the house that towers over the one I’m looking at.

I walk inside, feed the hungry cat, and then climb into the shower. Hot water pounds over me, washing away the remnants of a long day. I turn it to tepid as my skin turns pink before starting to shampoo and soap.

I rinse, towel off, pull on a dress, and comb through my hair. Skye has curled up on the couch, content now that she’s been fed. I grab a bottle of wine from the rack above the fridge, lock the front door, and walk over to the Phillipses’.

Henry opens the door on the first knock. “Evie!”

I smile. “Hi, Henry.” The last few times I’ve seen him have been at work. It’s strange to see him in jeans and a T-shirt instead of a tie and a white coat.

“Come on in.” He steps aside and holds the door open.

The mouthwatering aroma of fried chicken floods my nose as soon as I walk inside. “Wow. It smells amazing.”

“Juliet always pulls out all the stops for special guests.”

“Guests?” I assumed it would just be the three of us.

But I round the corner, and there he is. Leaning against the kitchen island, sipping a beer. My steps stutter. The smirk on Gray’s face tells me he noticed. I hope his parents didn’t.

“Evie!” Juliet rushes over to give me a hug. “You’re here!”

“You said to come over whenever,” I remind her.

She laughs. “I did.”

I hold the wine out. “For you. From my parents.”