“Forget about her,” Gaara cut in abruptly. Esther Rodrigo was nothing but a weight on his mind, a labyrinth of complications he had no desire to keep wandering. The more he thought of her, the more lost he felt. “What’s your real reason for barging in here, Amber?”

“Oh right! I almost forgot!” Amber smacked her own forehead theatrically, then burst into laughter. The sound was light, teasing, and left Gaara staring at her, confused as to what could possibly be so amusing.

“Good ...