“We don’t go fast, and Liam always makes me wear his helmet,” Brianna said.

“Then he should take some of that money in the bank and buy an extra helmet for himself,” Allison said, feeling old and wondering if he’d take her advice.

They finished their meals. Allison had planned to pay, but Liam snatched the check from the server and had the cash out before she could argue. Another point scored.

“Ready?” He stood and held Brianna’s leather coat while she slid her arms into the sleeves. Turning, she looked up at him, her eyes brimming with love. They were so beautiful together, Allison thought. But only time would tell whether the magic would—or even should—last.

They walked Allison to her car, and she watched them climb onto Liam’s motorcycle, Brianna holding tightly to his back as they roared away. Had she done the right thing, letting Burke’s daughter go off with a man her father had already judged to be unsuitable? What if they had an accident, or what if they just kept going and never came back?

But they were responsible young people, Allison reminded herself. Liam treated Brianna like a treasure and would die before he let her come to harm. He would have her safely back, as he’d promised, by ten o’clock that night.

She watched them until the motorcycle vanished from sight, then climbed into her car and drove back to the motel.

* * *

They followed the road to Brianna’s favorite place, the deserted beach on the shore of Lake Michigan. The night was unseasonably warm, the west wind blowing clouds across a murky sky, heralding the cold front that was forecast for morning.

They secured the bike, kicked off their boots and socks, and walked hand in hand along the beach. The sand was like cool silk under their bare feet. Whitecaps on the dark water crashed against the shoreline.

“Will I see you tomorrow?” Brianna asked him.

“I have to work tomorrow. And Allison mentioned that you’ll be leaving right after your meeting with the dean. She’s a nice woman, by the way. After listening to you, I wasn’t sure what to expect. You made her sound like the Wicked Witch of the West.”

“I did not!” She swung a playful punch at his chest. “I only said that she was the wrong woman for my father. But I have to say, she’s been pretty decent since my arrest.”

There was a moment of silence. She let him pull her closer, nestling into the curve of his arm. “So I won’t see you tomorrow, will I?”

He shook his head. “It’ll only make saying goodbye that much harder, Brianna. But I want you to call me after your meeting and let me know what the dean says. All right?”