She walks to the counter and I smile at Charley. “So. Tell me about your school. What’s your favorite class?”

Charley launches into detailed explanation of her computer classes that she loves. “My dad taught me how to code, so I’m way ahead of all the other kids in the programming class.” She pauses. “You knew my dad, right?”

“Yeah. I did.” I keep my voice neutral even though the thought of Wesley and his secret double life still affects me. “He was a coder?”

Something sad flickers across her features only for a moment. Then, it lifts. “Pft! He was the best one around. There’s the guy in my programming class who looks exactly like Harry Styles.”

“Who’s that?” I grin at her.

“You don’t know.” Her lips quirk. “One Direction?” She grabs her phone and searches for something to show me.

Just like that, her focus changes from talking about her dad to a cute boy she has a crush on. When Isabella returns with the drinks for her and Charley, I can’t stop smiling.

I’ve done the right thing. Revealing the truth would only hurt an innocent girl. Maybe someday, Isabella will tell her. I don’t know. But I’m glad it’s not for me to decide.

I drive to my parents’ house with the lightest feeling in ages. Pulling into the driveway is surreal. It’s a modest neighborhood with houses lined in a straight row. It’s the house I grew up in. A massive oak shades the front lawn and there’s still a bare spot where the grass doesn’t grow.

The curtains of the front window pull back and Mama’s face appears. She waves and the curtain drops.

My belly does a nervous flip as I park the car. I’d hoped she would run outside and greet me.

Although we’ve been cordial on the phone, I know they’ll never forgive me for running off with Wesley and only leaving a note to explain.

I get out of the car. Baby steps.

Mama opens the door and waits for me. Her smile is huge. “Where have you been? We thought your flight landed at two-thirty.”

I can’t stop myself from running to the door and hugging her. “Mama, I’ve missed you so much.”

I feel like I’m back with my best friend, my confidante, my mentor. I swallow the lump in my throat.

She hugs me back and pulls me inside. “It’s so good to have you home.”

The minute I walk inside, I glance around and my throat tightens. Maybe my homecoming isn’t going to be easy after all. “Where’s Daddy?”

I search my brain for all the reasons he’d be missing. Maybe he had a church function he couldn’t miss. Or someone is in the hospital.

“He’s in the kitchen.” Mama takes me hand. “Come on. He’s watching the oven. Cookies are almost done.”

“Oh. OK.” I walk with Mama through the house and into my favorite room. It’s the one I’ve thought about the most when I missed home. The aromas of chocolate and vanilla hit me. And a different scent drifts through the air.

I turn the corner behind Mama and all I see are flowers. Flowers everywhere—on the table, on the counter beside the oven, on the rolling cart with the microwave. There are roses and lilies and sunflowers.

“Has someone died?” I mumble. There has to be a dozen arrangements scattered around the room.

She grins at me. “They’re all for you.”

“You didn’t have to do that. This must’ve cost a fortune.”

Daddy pulls a pan from the oven and tosses the mitt aside. He holds out his arms, waiting for me. “Sweet Angel. It’s about time.”

I fling myself into his arms. “Daddy.” His arms close around me in a tight, comforting hug. He smells of the same aftershave he’s worn since I was a kid. It’s as though I never left.

“It’s good to have you home,” he says. He releases me slowly. “This young man sent all the flowers.”

My head jerks up. “What?”

Daddy takes my shoulders and turns me. “Leo. He sent them.”

Leo sits at the far end of the table. “Hi,” he says softly.

My heart lodges in my throat. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“Yes. I know.” His intense gaze studies me. “I’ve been telling your father that you may throw me out. But I wanted to meet your parents in case you decide to forgive me. Actually, Josie scared me pretty bad. She didn’t tell me you were only visiting. But that doesn’t matter. I still would’ve come.”

My mouth tips up at one corner. Oh, interfering Josie. You’ve gotta love her. “You need to do something about your sister.”

“Yeah. I’ve been trying for years. There’s no stopping her.” He grins. “I’m going to a hotel room. You should spend time with your folks. But I have more to say to you. If you’ll let me.”

I only nod, overwhelmed and conflicted. Leo shakes Daddy’s hand and Mama walks him to the door. Then, he’s gone.

I sit at the table and scoot a vase of pink roses to the side so I can see my parents. “I…um…dated Leo, and we broke up. That’s what all this is about.” I wave my hand at the flowers.

“He seems like a very nice man.” Mama smiles. “He told us he lives next door to you. He also told us about his parents and twin and his writing. Oh, and that online thing. Blog?”

My mouth drops. “He told you all that? How long was he here?”

Daddy takes the seat next to me. “Maybe half an hour.”

I stare at Daddy. “And he just started giving his whole life history?”

Daddy chuckles and shakes his head. “He said he wanted us to know everything about him. That boy sure is over the moon for you. I like him all right, and he’s a talker. The gift of speech. Has he ever thought about the ministry?”

“No, Daddy. He’s really not a talker. He’s more the introverted type.” A buried part of hope leaps out of my heart, screaming at me to see what he’s done.

Daddy nods, thoughtful. There’s a long silence. “You must be very important to him, then. Men like Leo don’t just spill everything to strangers on a whim. He’s committed to you.”

I gulp, my skin hot and my nerves tingling. There’s a reason I ran off with Wesley as an eighteen-year-old and didn’t give my parents a chance to talk sense into me. Deep down, I’d known something was wrong. They would’ve known it and told me so.

They don’t even hesitate with Leo. It’s clear he’s not hiding anything. When I was eighteen, I was sure they were always wrong. At twenty-two, I know they’re right.

“Do you mind if I call Leo really quick? I know I just got here, but…”

Mama places her hand on top of mine. “Angel, he’s on the front porch. He called a cab and he’s waiting outside.”

I rush to my feet so quickly, my head spins. In another two seconds, I’m out the door and running to the steps. I knock into Leo, who sits on a step. He catches my legs before I can tumble down.

“Whoa.” He releases me.

I suck in air. “Why are you here?”

“Cab. I called—”

“No.” I shake my head frantically. “I mean, tell me why you followed me.”

“Can you sit?” He shifts over to make room on the brick step.

I sit next to him, sticking my shaky hands between my knees. Leo turns his indigo gaze on full force, dangerous as radiation. I feel myself melting.

“Because I can be as stubborn as you are.” He grins. “I never wanted to get back together with Tori. But I wasn’t letting her go either. I kept thinking about what she’d done to me and how it could happen again. And then you came along and wrecked all my intentions to stay unattached. I lied to myself, saying my life would be less complicated that way. But it was just that. A lie.”

He reaches across and takes my hand in his, linking our fingers. “If I thought I could forget about you, I would. It’s what you’ve asked me to do. Leave you alone. But I can’t.”

Leo brings my knuckles to his lips and kisses them. “So, I sent flowers and tried to win over your parents and I’ve written a post on Mr. Expose about my identity. About not hiding behind a facade with the people who are important in my life. I’m playing all my cards. That’s why.”