Allie jumped and turned to look at him. He stood with his arms crossed, watching her with amusement. She dropped her hands where they had been fussing. Jay held his hand out to her. Allie looked down at his long fingers for a moment and considered not taking his invitation. She knew what it meant. It was time for them to talk about their altered relationship.

With a shaking hand Allie placed her palm in his. He wrapped his fingers around hers and tugged her gently out of the ...