Noelle didn’t need any further reminders of that unfortunate incident. “I broke his heart, too. It was all a misunderstanding.”

“Oh.” Carley clasped her hands behind her back and leaned against the door, waiting. She was certainly in no hurry to leave and seemed immoderately interested in what Thom had to say.

Thom glanced at her sister, who refused to take the hint, and then said, “We need to talk.”

“Now? Here?”

He nodded and touched her face in the gentlest way. “Listen, I’m sorry about this afternoon. We didn’t even talk about what’s most important—and that’s you and me.”

“I’m sorry, too.” Unable to resist, Noelle slipped her arms around his waist and they clung to each other.

“This is so-o-o romantic,” Carley whispered. “Why don’t you two sit down and make yourselves comfortable. Can I get you anything to drink?”

Her little sister was as much of a hostess as their mother, Noelle thought with amusement. “No, but thanks.”

Thom shrugged. “I should leave, but—”

“No, don’t,” Noelle pleaded with him. It might make more sense to meet Thom later, but she didn’t want him out of her sight for another second.

Thom sat on the edge of the bed and Noelle sat beside him. He took both her hands in his. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about us.”

“I have, too,” she said hurriedly.

“I don’t want it to end.”

“Oh, Thom, I don’t either! Not the way it did this afternoon—and for all the wrong reasons.” Noelle was acutely aware of her sister, listening in on their conversation, but she didn’t care.

“Noelle, I know what I want, and that’s you back in my life.”

“Oh, Thom.” She bit her lower lip, suddenly on the verge of tears.

Carley sighed again. “This is better than any movie I’ve ever seen.”

Noelle ignored her. “What are we going to do about our families?” They couldn’t pretend their relationship wouldn’t cause problems.

“I’ve been thinking about that, but I’m just not sure.” Thom stroked the side of her face, and his hand lingered there.

“Oh, this is difficult,” Carley agreed.

Her little sister was absorbing every word. Had Carley left the room, Noelle was sure Thom would be kissing her by now. Then they’d be lost in the kissing and oblivious to anything else.

“Is there a solution for us? One that doesn’t involve alienating our families. Or our mothers, at any rate.” Thom didn’t look optimistic.

“What about the tea service?” Noelle said, mulling over an idea. “You said there’s no replacing it, but maybe if we found a similar one, your mother would be willing to accept it.”

“I don’t know,” he said. “This wasn’t just any tea service. It was a family heirloom that belonged to my great-grandmother. We’ll never find one exactly like it.”