James was a tall man, which only made the fellow he was helping along seem even thinner and frailer byparison.


    At the moment, the drunken man was draped over James''s shoulder, blubbering and wailing, "You don''t love me, why don''t you love me anymore?" in a pitiful tone.


    Lorna arched an eyebrow, her red lips curving in a sly pout. Before she could stop herself, she let out a sharp, teasing wolf whistle.


    James halted mid-step and looked up.


    Their eyes met. A scowl creased James''s brow-his annoyance with Lorna was written all over his face, in as day even in the dim light.


    But Lorna noticed and was utterly unfazed.


    Her gaze drifted from the tear-streaked man to James''s face.


    With a provocative lift of her elegant brows, she shot James a wicked smile. "Well, well, Mr. Dney-seems like you''re irresistible to both men and women, huh?”


    James shot her a re. "Get lost."


    "Ooh, touchy!" Lorna whistled again, then opened her car door and slid inside with a flourish.


    Rolling down the window, she leaned out, belting in a melodramatic sing-song, "Love really takes courage to face all those rumors—"


    James just stared, speechless.


    Insane. Absolutely insane.


    Lorna fired up the engine, slowly backing out of her parking spot.


    Through the rearview mirror, she nced at James onest time, lips curving into an impish grin. She stuck a delicate hand out the window. "See you around, Mr. Dney-if fate allows!"


    With a roar, her luxury car darted onto the main road, vanishing into the night faster than you could blink.


    James muttered under his breath about Stewart''s terrible taste in friends as he helped Joseph into his own car.


    After dropping Joseph at home, it was nearly one in the morning by the time James returned to Skybreeze Retreat.


    The estate was hushed in the deep hours of night. James made his way straight to his room, washed up, and fell into bed.


    ...


    At six the next morning, the soft cries of a baby drifted from the neighboring room.


    Motherhood was a powerful thing.


    Ste,


    Once


    the queen of


    oversteeping, now had her internal clock firmly set by little Aster.


    She opened her eyes and nced at Briony, who was still fast asleep beside her, then slipped quietly out of bed.


    She eased open the bedroom door, stepped into the hallway, and gently closed it behind her.


    Only after the faint click of the door did Briony slowly open her eyes.


    Truth was Briony hadn''t slept well at all-she''d finally drifted off after three, only to wake from a restless dream before five. But she''d


    pretended to sleep so Ste wouldn''t worry.


    Since there was no hope of more rest, Briony got up to wash and dress.


    She stepped out of her room just as James wascing up his sneakers, ready for his morning run.


    James looked up, surprised. "You''re up early today."


    "Been awake since just after five," Briony replied.


    "Got somewhere to be this morning?" he asked.


    She shook her head, pressing her lips together. “No, it''s just... I guess I''m not


    used to having Little Nina away."


    James nodded in understanding.


    It was Little Nina''s first night staying over at Stewart''s, and of course Briony was feeling uneasy.


    It would just take time to adjust.


    After a moment''s thought, James


    offered, "How about joining me for a run? The morning air''s perfect eget some exercise, and maybe you''ll sleep better tonight."


    Briony considered, then nodded. “Let me change. Wait for me?"


    "Sure."


    She changed into workout clothes, and together they headed out to the nearby park for a morning jog.


    James usually kept a brisk pace, but today, with Briony by his side, he made sure to slow down and match her stride.