“You’re weird. I don’t remember you being weird. Back in high school, you were the superhot bad-boy-slash-football-captain.”

“And now?”

“You’re still hot, but I don’t believe you’re bad anymore. Now that I think about it, I’m not sure you were ever bad. I think it was just an act. Maybe a way to survive. If you were tough, people would leave you alone. Of course, then you were lonely, but you were willing to pay the price to feel safe.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, that’s what this whole Harrison thing is about. It’s not what you promised him. It’s that you need to keep him safe, at any price. But safe is always a moving target—in some ways it’s intangible. So the whole marriage thing is your way of controlling an uncontrollable situation. Huh. Interesting.”

Her insights slapped him upside the head like a blow from a two-by-four. Mentally he staggered and wondered if he was going down. She was right, of course, but that she’d figured it out so easily stunned him.

He was still trying to recover when she turned and grabbed another tote from the closet.

“Yes, Toby, I’ll have dinner with you,” she said, handing him the container. “I think at the end of the evening, kissing is a possibility, but no on the sex.” She flashed him a smile that was nearly as lethal as the two-by-four. “At least for now.”

Dena tried to lose herself in the chapter on the third month of her pregnancy, but the words simply weren’t gripping. Actually, that wasn’t fair—the words were fine. The problem was her. Specifically, that she couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that Micah had kissed her.

She didn’t know what to make of what had happened. No matter how many times she turned the concept over, held it up to the light, replayed it in her mind, it didn’t make sense.

He’d kissed her. More than once, on the mouth, and at the end, with tongue. Like a real kiss. A boy-girl kiss. Only they weren’t in a boy-girl thing. So why had he done it, and what was she supposed to do now?

She set down the book and reached for her phone.

Are you done with knitting for the night?

Reggie’s reply came immediately. Just wrapping up.

Can you swing by the B and B? I need to talk and I’ll ply you with yummy snacks and delicious wine.

What’s the snack?

Despite her confusion about what was happening with her life, or specifically Micah, Dena laughed. You’re saying I have to lure you with food?

You promised me yummy snacks. I’m just confirming that’s true.

Micah kissed me.

There were several seconds before the three dots appeared. I’m on my way.

Dena grinned.