Jenner drove the Bentley back to Stella Maris, taking it slow more to make the drive last than for fear of damaging the quarter-million-dollar car. Maggie sat next to him, while Craine, subdued and quiet, rode in the back.

She asked Jenner to wait while she took her father inside. He watched her support Craine as they walked up the path to the side door. He waited by the fountain, sitting at the wheel of the beautiful car in front of the beautiful house, looking at the beautiful grounds.

After a quarter-hour, he walked down to the house parking lot; he’d just opened his car door when Maggie appeared again at the gap in the hedge. She’d let her hair down, and had a pale blue wrap around her shoulders.

“Thanks again, Jenner.” She shook her head. “I’m really sorry you had to see us like that. He’s better than that—we both are.”

She walked down the steps, and this time didn’t stop at the Craine halfway point. She stepped quickly up to Jenner, and he held her head and kissed her mouth as she pulled him close. He wrapped her in his arms, stroking her back through the thin cashmere.

Jenner pulled back and kissed her lips, then her cheek, then her forehead. Her eyes were soft and dreamy, green and infinite.

“You must think I’m crazy—I was upset. You do understand, don’t you, Jenner?”

He shook his head. “You’re not crazy. You’re just in a tough spot.”

“Oh, I’m crazy alright.” Maggie gave a wan smile. “Jenner? Promise me we won’t fall in love? It’ll hurt too much when it ends.”

He hushed her, but she pushed him back, eyes dark and serious. “I mean it.”

So he promised, smiling. She kissed him again, and he felt the press of her lower lip between his teeth as she ground her hips against him.

There was the quiet clearing of a throat, and over her shoulder Jenner saw a uniformed member of the Craine house staff standing on the walkway, hands folded in front of him. “Excuse me, Miss Craine? Your father asked if you would stop by his study for a quick word.”

Maggie nodded; the attendant disappeared. She pulled away from Jenner, kissed the palm of her hand and brushed her kiss onto his cheek.

He climbed into his car; as he reversed, he looked for her on the steps, but she was already gone.