Except for Julia, who was focused on a page in her copy of News of the World, they were gazing at her in amazement.

Shit. Maggie held her breath and waited to get peppered with questions—waited to be outed.

Ran, poised on the very edge of the rocker and gripping the chair’s arms, broke the silence with a whispered, “Oh my God. That is—by far—the most gorgeous man I have ever seen.”

Maggie blinked.

Colleen murmured dreamily, “He’s like a … a…”—her head lolled back—“a model or something.” She collapsed sideways, over Hope’s legs. “A supermodel.” She reached past Hope to poke Julia in the thigh. “Don’t you think so?”

“I guess,” Julia said impatiently. Irritation sharpened her features. “Why are you asking me? Ask them.”

“Julia’s gay,” Ran explained to Maggie.

“She’s got eyes, doesn’t she?” Colleen insisted from Hope’s lap.

“Get off,” Hope ordered. “You’re squashing me.” After Colleen sat up, Hope confirmed matter-of-factly, “But yes. Supermodel hot.”

The gushing over Sam made Maggie anxious. Uncomfortable. She didn’t like thinking of him in this way. Of any guy in this way.

Ran smiled. “How do you know him, Marge? You and he aren’t…?” She wiggled her eyebrows.

“No!” she shouted, and pressed the book against her pounding heart. Can we change the subject? Please?

The girls gaped at her.

Ran gave her head a shake. “Are you okay—”

“Oh, hey,” Sam said.

There was a trio of screeches from Ran, Colleen, and Hope.

Sam sauntered into the reading nook again. He still carried the hardcover book, but this time, he held it in both hands so that the cover was visible. Masters of Earth and Fire the book was called. “Forgot to show you this. It’s your aunt! On the cover. Isn’t that amazing?”

She swallowed a moan. First he spilled the beans with her name, and now he was revealing her relationship to Wren Heed, an artist clearly famous enough to make the cover of a book? For the love of God, what was next? A copy of Maggie’s birth certificate? Christ! She glared at him. Shut up.

But he was busy admiring the cover. “I think I’m going to buy this.” He opened the book and cringed. “Though it costs a fortune…”

“It’s half off,” Ran said quickly.

“Wow, really?” His smile widened.

Julia rolled her eyes and mouthed, No. Not really.

“Just let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll check you out,” Ran said, nervously glancing toward the front of the store, probably plotting how to finagle Sam’s discount without her dad’s noticing.

“That means I have enough to buy Kate a book, too.” He looked over his shoulder. “Where’s the children’s—”

Colleen bounded off the couch. “I’ll show you!”