"Leave it to me," Brandon said with a nod as he helped me into the car. "Drive safely, and don't hesitate to call if you need anything."

His soothing, clear voice had a magical calming effect on me.

As I exited the parking lot, I paused to pay. In the rearview mirror, I caught a glimpse of him still standing there—tall and elegant, his gaze seemingly fixed on the direction I had gone.

If I hadn't known that he had been infatuated with someone for years, I might have ...