Graeme opens the heavy front door at the same time my neighbor Sophie walks out. I remember it’s Sophie this time, not Sophia, because Sophie has a longer nose. She flashes me a small smile as she passes.

I step through the threshold, then pause. “Hey, Sophie?”

She plucks an earbud from one ear. “Yeah?”

“What are you up to tonight?”

“No plans.”

“I’m having a party, a celebration of sorts. Do you and Sophia want to come?”

She shrugs, eyes crinkling. “Sure, sounds fun.”

“People are coming at six, but feel free to swing by whenever.”

“Sounds good. Catch you later.” Replacing her ear bud, she waves at me over her shoulder.

“That was nice,” says Graeme.

“It’s about time I made friendly with the neighbors.”

“You know, we have over an hour until your party. Maybe we could get friendly.” His voice drops to a register of pure mischief.

I tilt my head. “But you didn’t say please.”

“You want me to beg?”

I flash him a wide, innocent grin. “Only if you’re on your knees.”

“Henley Rose.” With a growl, he lifts me up and carries me across the lobby. I giggle uncontrollably, even as heat floods my cheeks. An elderly man collecting his mail shoots us a disapproving look, and I sweep an air kiss in his direction. His bushy eyebrows jerk upward.

When we reach the elevator, my heart is hammering and my fingers itch to run over every inch of Graeme’s skin. He pushes the up button before wrapping me in a tight embrace. Diving a hand under his shirt, I let my fingers play along the waistband of his jeans. When my knuckles brush against his stomach, he sucks in a breath.

My phone dings with my daily 5 p.m. task list reminders. Reaching into my pocket, I pull it out.

Task #1: Defeat Graeme Crawford-Collins.

I don’t cross it off the list.

I delete it.

The battles have been waged—some lost, some forfeited, some won. New allies were revealed, an old enemy became a friend and then a lover, and I strengthened the precious bonds of family. A wave of gratitude washes over me that’s so powerful tears threaten behind my eyes.

The elevator doors rattle open and Graeme pulls me inside and captures my lips in a searing kiss. My bones turn to liquid and I sink into his heart-melting touch.

A rush of excitement fills my lungs and my head fills with pure, unbridled bliss. I’m soaring like a sparrow above an eagle. I’m swimming with the sharks. For the first time in my life, I feel like I’ve lived up to my namesake.

I feel like a rock star.

Author’s Note

Dear Reader,