“The wholesome part is still true,” she said jokingly.

He cleared his throat. “The normal part isn’t.”

“I typically leave what I say about my past right there for just that reason.”

“You’re hoping people will accept it and not look any closer.”

“Of course. Because that’s when the illusion unravels.”

“I can’t imagine you wearing a long dress with an apron and a bonnet to cover your hair.”

“There’s nothing more American than religious freedom,” she quipped.

“I support that. It’s just strange to think that something meant to be good—religion—can also act like a spider’s web.”

She hugged her towel closer. “That’s a good analogy.”

“Growing up I was jealous of those kids who had the type of family who attended church every Sunday.”

“Religion can be a blessing.”

“But it’s not for you.”

“Not after what I’ve been through.”

“I understand, and I hope you know that I won’t tell anyone what you told me tonight,” he said as he used his flashlight to light the way.

“Except your family?” she teased.

“Including my family. We’ve both seen that they aren’t very good at keeping secrets,” he added with a laugh.

She chuckled with him. “They mean well.”

“They do.” He stopped at the door and turned to face her. “Can I ask you something?”

She seemed startled by the question. “What?”

“What does beauty mean to you?”

Her eyes widened as she groped for a response. “Beauty is...a lot of things, I guess. Is this a trick question?”

“No. I’m looking for your honest opinion.”

“Okay, well...integrity is a form of beauty, I suppose. Sacrifice. Summoning the strength to conquer a big challenge. Fighting to the death and never giving up—for the right reason. Making a difference in the world. How philosophical do you want to get?”

“No need to go overboard. I just want to make sure that...”

“What?” she prodded.

“That you understand it has very little to do with a pretty face.”

“You’re pointing out that those other options are still available to me.”

“No,” he said. “I’m saying you’ve already got those things nailed. So...what happened to your face doesn’t really matter. That’s not what I see when I look at you. And if that’s what other people see—they’re missing out on something even more beautiful.”

He opened the door for her, but the moment he followed her into the house, she turned, slid her arms around his neck and rose on tiptoe to press her lips against his. “Good night,” she murmured as she pulled away.