After my mom went to bed, I checked on Ken and then headed to my own bedroom. Ellis was standing by the window, looking out at the city. I took a deep breath and closed the door behind me, wondering what he expected to happen.

I could see how deep his eyes were as they looked out the window, the firm set of his jaw and his strong fingers as they gripped the curtains framing the window.

My mind spun suddenly with all the memories of the nights we’d spent together. ...