The shrill ringtone of Desiree’s phone buzzed across the nightstand, pulling her from a half-doze. She groaned, stretching an arm out and fumbling for the device. Lucas’s name flashed on the screen. She sighed before answering, pressing it to her ear.

“You’re late,” Lucas said, his tone carrying that mix of teasing and worry he always used with her. “Don’t tell me you overslept again.”

“I didn’t oversleep,” Desiree replied quickly, even though she had. Her voice was ...