"Who says the offer is still on the table?" Lilith had accepted my container of red velvet cupcakes from the finest cupcake store in town as her due. She licked the last of the frosting off her fingers. "Especially with your new condition on the agreement."

A light breeze provided relief to the evening heat, teasing the strands of her hair and the hem of her coral sundress. White-capped waves danced under a brilliant blue sky, and the beach-goers here at English Bay were in a ...