After Troy put the kids down to bed, he went to his bedroom and checked on Monica. He thought he would offer her something to eat, but it was like attempting to rouse Lazarus from the grave. She was in such a profound state of slumber that powers greater than his would have been necessary to wake her. If he hadn’t known better, he would have declared her comatose.

He decided to let her keep on sleeping. He’d experienced a long day, too, but he was far from tired, and had plenty of energy left to burn.

The only question was: how would he choose to exert himself?

A few text messages later, he had his answer. Quickly, he changed into his workout gear: a pair of gray fleece training pants, a matching hoodie, and running sneakers. He kissed Monica on the forehead and left the bedroom. She didn’t even stir.

Grace was coming up the spiral staircase as he was heading down.

“Where are you going, mister?” She blocked his path, glanced at her silver wristwatch. “It’s past nine o’clock.”

For a few years in his youth, Troy had attended a Catholic school. Grace’s suddenly stern demeanor reminded him of one of the most feared nuns on staff, Sister Sweet—the irony of her name was a running joke in the school—who zealously monitored student behavior and was quick to punish the students for even minor infractions.

But that was a long time ago. He was a grown-ass man, in his own house, and he could come and go as he pleased. He didn’t need to offer an explanation to a guest of all people.

“Step aside.” He tried to brush past Grace, but she stuck out her arm to block his passage.

She stared at him, a challenge in her hazel-eyed gaze.

“You won me over with dinner, but now you’re out of line—again,” he said. “Do I have to remind you that you’re a guest in my house?”

“Perhaps you see it that way.” She smiled thinly. “But do you expect me to stand idly by while you violate my daughter’s trust?”

Something in him wilted.

“What the hell are you talking about?” he asked.

“Oh, come now.” Grace chuckled. “I’m wise to the ways of men, dear. Your duplicity has my naïve daughter fooled, but I knew your true nature the moment I laid eyes on you. You’re practically a walking erection, eager to plunge into any warm hole you can find.”

“Listen, you don’t know a damn thing. I love my family. I’m committed to them 24/7. Monica knows that about me.”