“Yes, I know. Thank you for your time.” Brianna ended the call, put her forehead on the steering wheel, and cried. She’d known this might happen, and she’d done her best to prepare herself for bad news. But when it came, it was like being punched in the face. Until now she hadn’t realized how much she’d wanted to go back to Northwestern—and to Liam.

After wiping her eyes and blowing her nose, she started the car and pulled back onto the road. Last year she’d earned decent grades. But then, this fall, she’d done the unthinkable—she’d fallen head over heels in love.

It hadn’t been Liam’s fault. He’d encouraged her to study for exams and get her assignments in on time. But all she’d wanted to do was be with him. And when she wasn’t with him, all she’d wanted to do was think about him.

And then her father had wrecked the Porsche and almost died. She’d had no choice except to come home, where she’d gotten herself arrested. Now she was trying to grow up, repair the damage, and take charge of her life. But it wasn’t going to be easy.

She would wait until tonight to give Liam the bad news. It didn’t make sense to call him now and ruin his day. Her father could wait, too. Meanwhile she would need to start looking at other options. She had to work this morning, but later today it might not hurt to get some advice from an old friend.

* * *

Allison woke to the aromas of fresh coffee and bacon drifting up the stairs. Sunlight was streaming into the room. It had taken her hours to fall asleep last night. When slumber finally came, it had pulled her under like anesthesia.

She wondered who could be cooking in the kitchen?

Swinging her legs off the bed, she stood. Her ankle was still sore, her hands scraped from falling on the rough asphalt. Wincing with each step, she found her robe, slipped it on, and limped out into the hall.

Brianna had already left for work. Her door was partway open, her bed neatly made. The photo of her family sat in its usual place, on the bookshelf. Kate’s sunlit, freckled face smiled at Allison from the frame.

Let him go, Kate! Stop coming between us!

Allison projected the thought, as if it could penetrate the glass and somehow reach its target. But Kate’s smile was unchanging, as if she knew that she’d always be first.

Allison closed Brianna’s door and went on downstairs. She found Burke standing by the stove, tending bacon in a cast-iron skillet. Freshly shaved, dressed in chinos and a long-sleeved polo, he looked fit and healthy. But fixing breakfast? That was something new.

Was this his way of making up for last night?