He started out, then said casually as he walked down the stairs, “By the way, HomeMakers is having a sale on wall treatments—paper and paint—next month. Fifteen to thirty percent off all stock.”

Zoe hurried to the top of the steps. “When next month?”

“I’ll let you know.”

So, she wasn’t going to have sex with him. Brad shook his head as he walked to his car. That had been an unfortunate statement on her part. Obviously, she wasn’t aware that the one thing no Vane could resist was a direct challenge.

His only plan had been to ask her out to dinner. Now, he decided as he studied the windows on the second level, he’d have to take a little time and work out a strategy.

Zoe McCourt was about to go under siege.

ZOE had other things on her mind. She was running late, but that was nothing new. There always seemed to be another flood of things to do or remember or fix right before she walked out the door.

“You give those cookies to Chuck’s mother. She’ll divvy them up.” Zoe turned the car into the driveway two blocks from her own house, then sent her son a stern look. “I mean it, Simon. I don’t have time to take them in myself. If I go to the door she’ll keep me there for twenty minutes, and I’m already late.”

“Okay, okay. I coulda walked.”

“Yeah, but then I wouldn’t’ve been able to do this.” She grabbed him, dug her fingers into his ribs to make him squeal.

“Mom!”

“Simon!” she said in the same exasperated tone.

He was laughing as he got out and dragged his duffel from the backseat.

“You mind Chuck’s mother, and don’t keep everybody up all night. You’ve got Malory’s number?”

“Yes, I’ve got Malory’s number. And I know how to dial nine-one-one, and to run out of the house if I set it on fire when I play with matches.”

“Smart guy. Come over here and give me a kiss.”

He made a show of dragging his feet, keeping his head dipped to hide his grin as he approached her car window. “Make it quick. Somebody might see us.”

“Just tell them I wasn’t kissing you. I was yelling at you.” She gave him a kiss, resisted hugging him. “See you tomorrow. Have a good time, baby.”

“You, too, baby.” He snickered, then raced for the house.

With a mother’s skill, she backed out of the drive while watching her boy until he was safely inside.

Then she headed off to Malory’s, and her first grown-up sleepover.

Chapter Seventeen

MALORY knew what was going on. Nobody wanted her to be alone, and her new friends were worried about her. Zoe had been so enthusiastic about the brainstorm of an all-girl sleepover that Malory hadn’t been able to refuse.

The very fact that she’d wanted to refuse, had wanted to burrow into her cave alone, forced her to admit she needed a change.