Dawn opened her mouth to respond, but Lila forestalled her with a stern look and some advice of her own. “Correct him when he’s wrong and don’t be modest about it. Tell him to smile more. Talk about religion and politics every chance you get, and always act like you’re an expert. Critique his driving. And above all else, never apologize for anything, even—especially—if you’re the one at fault.”

Sophie eyed her oldest sister with a growing sense of wonder. “You didn’t even have to stop and think about any of those.”

“Of course I didn’t.” Lila picked the napkin out of her lap and daintily dabbed the corners of her mouth. “Those are all the things that men do to annoy me. It’ll serve one of them right to have the tables turned for a change. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to run to the ladies’ room.”

Sophie didn’t dare look at Dawn until their sister had woven through the tables and disappeared around a corner. And a good thing too, because the moment their eyes met, they fell into a peal of laughter that drew the attention of every patron in the place.

“Well, crap,” Sophie said. “How long do you think she’s been harboring that particular grudge?”

“Years, at the very least. Poor Lil. She’s too good for ninety-nine percent of the men on this planet. Then again, so are you. The only difference is that you haven’t realized it yet.” The gleam was back in Dawn’s eyes. “Are you sure you’re only interested in driving him the bad kind of crazy? I wasn’t kidding about how attractive he is, Soph. Men like that don’t come around every day—believe me, I know.”

“Um.” She bit her lip. “Maybe you’d better go over that exposed-shoulder thing before Lila gets back. Just so I know I understand it.”

The irrepressible dimple broke out in Dawn’s cheek. “Oh, Sophie. The shoulder is only the beginning. Just wait until we get to the midriff.”

Chapter 7

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?”

At the sound of Oscar’s voice, Harrison glanced up from the kitchen table, a scowl on his face and a sharp pair of scissors in his hand. If it weren’t for the puppy napping blissfully on his lap, he might have jumped to his feet and used the scissors as a makeshift shiv.

Relentlessly. And with absolute glee.

“You heartless bastard,” he said. “I’m surprised you dare to show your face here after what you’ve done to me.”