Serenity used her index finger to gently caress Luis’ soft lips, her eyes focused on his pink tongue as it darted out to taste her salty skin. She smiled, raising her eyes to his and reading lust and wanting there. Luis wanted her, maybe even as much as she wanted him, but she knew it was too soon. That morning a one-night stand with Luis had seemed like a premium option; a chance to sample exactly what he had to offer. However, now she wanted and needed more. She wanted to build a relationship with him and jumping into bed when he had just recently come out of a bad relationship would never get her into his heart and she wanted that: a lot. She knew she needed to be strong and despite the fact she was burning with desire, she had to gain control of the situation.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled back slightly and shivered at the lack of warmth that his body had once provided. She placed her palms gently against his chest but maintained the eye contact they shared. “Luis,” she whispered, licking her lips unconsciously. “I think we need to go to our separate corners before we do something we regret. If you’d like me to lend you my car…”

“No,” he cut her off, not wanting his time with her to end already. Serenity’s power over him was addictive and he knew that leaving her now was going to be impossible. His overwhelming need to protect her was getting the better of him and he knew she was right about going to their corners. He didn’t have one-night stands and he wouldn’t have one with her. He didn’t treat women that way. “I promised to make you something to eat while we had a good time on our own, remember?”

“I have nothing in the kitchen, Luis, except some peanut butter and crackers that I picked up in a gas station in Boston. I love peanut butter,” she giggled, sounding so much like a child that even he had to laugh a little.

“Well, then I know exactly what to do to take your mind off of every negative thing that has happened today,” he took her hand and pulled her towards the door. He momentarily had to wonder what her reaction to his suggestion would be.

“What’s that?” she asked, following behind him closely. “We’re not going out for dinner, are we? I don’t think I’m in the mood for a large crowd and I’m definitely overdressed for most of Harmony’s restaurants.”

“Oh no, Ms. Winters, we are not going out to eat. I promised to cook and I intend to make you something you’ll never forget. But first we are going out for food.”

“What?” she was confused, watching as he grabbed her keys from a table by the door and tugged her onto the porch. After locking the door, he led her down the steps and to her convertible. She couldn’t believe how he was suddenly a man on a mission when just moments before they were silently wrapped in each other’s embrace.

“I’m going to take you grocery shopping,” he told her as if it were no great deal.

“Are you insane? I haven’t stepped foot inside a grocery store in over twenty years, Luis! I don’t know the first thing about shopping for food! I usually have the merchants bring the food to me! You know, delivery?”

“Then, Serenity,” he stopped her beside the car, opening the door and helping her in. “I believe it’s time for you to learn and I am an expert at shopping at the Shop Rite,” he closed her door after wiggling his eyebrows playfully.

“Why do I have this feeling this is going to be an interesting experience?” she asked herself as he climbed into the other side of the car. Somehow she just knew this would be something she would never forget.

Luis parked at the entrance closest to the door, which was easy to do in the nearly deserted parking lot. After meeting Serenity in front of the car, he linked their hands and walked along with her to the mechanical doors of the Shop Rite. Stopping just outside the door, he pulled a shopping cart from the long line of attached carts and motioned to it. “This is lesson one: choosing the correct grocery cart. You cannot merely pick the first cart your hands land on, despite what you might have been told.”

“And this is important?” she asked, looking at the basket. Who would have known there was a science to selecting a basket to put your food in? Better still, who would have thought you needed to be so selective during the process?

“Of the utmost importance,” Luis replied seriously. “If you choose one with a broken wheel it might jostle your food around and break something and if it goes sideways, it might crash into someone and injure them.”

Serenity looked around the empty parking lot finding maybe one car besides her own. “Why do I find that hard to believe?”

“Don’t be such a smart ass,” Luis laughed, pushing the shopping cart forwards and backwards a few times as a test. “This basket is just perfect. The wheels are balanced, it doesn’t pull to one side and it moves fluidly.”

Serenity just shook her head. Was he talking about the latest sports car or this piece of junk cart? “All right,” she slid her arms through his tuxedo jacket so she could stay warm. “Now what do we do, oh guru of the shopping center?”

“We go inside,” he stepped forwards, letting the door open completely before starting through. Serenity followed behind him, her heels clicking onto the tiles of the store as the door swooshed shut behind them. “Welcome to shoppers' heaven. This place has the finest deals in town. My mother personally recommends this place to anyone that has to do food shopping.”

Serenity’s eyes searched the store in child-like wonder. This place was like having an entire shopping section of Paris tucked inside an impersonal, somewhat sterile concrete building. The rows of food supplies, both perishable and non-perishable, seemed to almost twinkle in the florescent lighting of the gigantic store. Right inside the entrance were paper circulars, one of which Luis grabbed the second he noticed them, and above that a poster that said “Can-can sale.” It portrayed a line of can-canning cans dressed in frilly French costumes and Serenity’s eyebrow rose in query. “What is that?”

“Oh, some of the canned foods are on sale two for one or discounted somehow. Why?” Luis began to peruse the circular for anything that they could possibly need at her house. It struck him suddenly that it was very intimate how they were shopping for things together when the house was hers and not theirs.

“No reason,” she shrugged. “So how do you know where to start in this place, Luis?”

“Well, I guess we should decide what we’re making tonight and what necessities you need to last for your entire trip here. Usually you bring a list so you only buy what you need and don’t go over your budget but we can’t do that tonight. So what do you like to eat?”

“Chocolate,” she smiled. “And lots of it.”

“Helpful,” he responded sarcastically. “Well, we don’t want to eat something heavy this late in the evening, so why don’t we agree on what we’re making tonight. How does eggs sound?”

“Oh! I know how to make the greatest French omelet! Well, it’s more like a cross between and omelet and a soufflé.”

“You mean with the jam in the middle?” Luis inquired, pushing the wagon towards the produce aisle, which was of course closest to the door.

“Yes, you know how to make one?” Serenity questioned, walking along beside him for a moment before spotting a flat of perfectly ripe, end of the season strawberries. Without even noting the price, she swept up the flat and placed it gently into the cart.

“Yes, I do. What are you doing with those?” he stopped the wagon and looked at her.

“Buying them. Strawberries are my absolute favorite food on earth! Well, after chocolate of course. I have to have them, Luis!”

“Serenity, out of season produce is nearly twice the price. Don’t you even care about how much you spend in a super market?”

She paused, looking at the beautiful red fruit sitting in the wagon. “They’re only strawberries,” she felt terrible being so willing to spend a sum on just strawberries. For a moment it reminded Serenity that despite the fact she was raised in a home where both parents worked for what they had, she was still very different from Luis. The years of being an heiress had made money no object to her. “I can put them back.”

Feeling guilty for snapping at her, Luis caught her hands. It was her money and he had no right to tell her how to spend it, especially not when he had no claim to her or the money. “There’s no reason a person can’t splurge once in a while if it is something they really want and need. Besides, at least they are something healthy you can pick on besides chocolate.”

Her blue eyes shimmered happily and her smile blew up to cover her entire face. It wasn’t until that very moment that she realized how important his opinion was to her. “So I can get the strawberries?”

“Of course,” he returned to pushing the cart and she continued to walk beside him. “Now we definitely need eggs, milk, cream of tartar, and some blackberry preserves,” he steered the carriage along the back wall where the refrigerated cases were, ignoring the stares of the few patrons inside. He hadn’t even thought about the way they were dressed until now: she in her gown and his tuxedo jacket and he in his tuxedo pants and white shirt.

“And chocolate, cookies, potato chips, soda, orange juice and coffee,” Serenity finished off the list with her own personal desires. “I had the house stocked with non-perishable items for the bathroom at the start of the summer, but I didn’t consider coming so I had no reason to ask anyone to stock the kitchen.”

“Do you have cutlery?” he questioned, wondering if they would have to find an open Wal-Mart. They might have had to settle for something from a drive-thru if she didn’t have cooking supplies.

“Yes,” she smiled. “Monsieur had the house cleaned and refurnished with whatever it was missing. The kitchen is fully ready to be used with some of the best cookware on earth. He knew I loved to cook.”

“You cook?” Luis was surprised.

Serenity nodded. “I have never had a cook on staff in my entire life. I hated living in boarding school where I couldn’t cook. In fact, I opened a small restaurant in Paris and I headed the kitchen staff. My manager is handling the business now and will be until I return...if I return. I’m starting to like it here.”

“Wow,” he shook his head, marveling over how someone like Serenity could possibly have found anything in common with someone like Sheridan. They were as different as night and day in most aspects with only one glaring similarity: the loss of people they loved at a young age. He could see why the two would have bonded over something like that, but pondered how Serenity could have been the outcast in boarding school. Still lost in his thoughts, Luis pushed the cart up to the section of eggs, avoiding the yellow sign that read Caution: Wet Floor and passing it by without a second thought. He turned to the cartons of eggs with his mind still elsewhere.

Unfortunately, Serenity did not notice the water spill in front of the refrigerated foods as her eyes scanned the shelves for something that caught the attention of her appetite. Her eyes were focused on a six-pack of pudding far ahead as she stepped into the puddle, loosing her balance because of her heels and starting to fall. Luis noticed the movement out of the corner of his eye and spun around, pulling her into his arms before she could hit the floor. Pressed against his chest, breathless from her near fate with the hard tiled floor, Serenity looked into his worried brown eyes. He pulled her closer, their lips mere inches apart as he held her tilted body in his arms. His breath tickled her lips and her eyes fluttered shut, lashes grazing his skin. Slowly, almost painstakingly so, their lips brushed against each other in another sweet kiss.

“Are you all right?” he asked as an afterthought, the woman still wrapped in his powerful arms. He looked her face over, trying to gage her reaction to both the kiss and the near fall.

“Fine,” she whispered breathlessly, her hands clutching his shirt tightly. “Just fine,” she kissed him again, this time more deeply than before.

Pulling away slowly, reluctantly, Luis swallowed hard. The taste of her lips against his filled his senses with an overwhelming desire for more than what he had a right to. Carefully, he helped her back to her feet, placing her hands against the cart so that she could keep her balance while he put the food in the wagon. “I think it might be best if we just finish getting what we need now and leave.”

Pain flashed in her eyes before Serenity lowered her head. She knew the second the kiss had happened that she had crossed the line and now there was no going back. Inside she scolded herself for being so stupid. How could she have missed the bright yellow caution sign? She should have been paying more attention, shouldn’t have clung to Luis the way she did and definitely should not have kissed him. Now he thought she was too forward and was going to leave and never look back. She had practically pushed him back into Sheridan’s arms! Such a foolish display!

“I’ll drop you off at the Bed and Breakfast on the way back to my house. In fact, we don’t even have to finish shopping. I can just pay for whatever is in the wagon and then take you home...or whatever it is you call it,” she stated softly.

“Who said I wanted to go back to my room?” he asked, his hand cupping her face and raising her chin so she would look into his eyes. “I just think that kisses like those belong somewhere more private than the dairy aisle of a Shop Rite,” he smiled gently.

“You’re not angry with me?” she questioned, surprised at just how much it seemed to bother her that he could possibly go back to his ex-fiancé or be disappointed in something she did. Serenity had never cared what a man thought of her until she met this man.

“Not at all,” he shook his head. “I just want to get our food, go home, make you a fabulous meal and then perhaps talk for a while. You know, get to know each other a little? There is so much I have to learn about you.”

“I’d like that too,” she smiled brightly. “And there is certainly much for me to learn about you as well.” She paused a moment. “Luis?”

“Yes, Serenity?” he put his arms around her and on the carriage, starting to push it along with her. It was complicated, but they managed to fall into step and make it down the aisle.

“Do you think there is any chance that you will fall in love again?”

Hesitating for only a second, he replied, “Yes, Serenity, I think there is. In fact, I know there is,” he kissed the top of her head. Not only was there a chance, but Luis started to believe that he already was falling in love again: with her.

Luis and Serenity worked together to make their dinner. While he beat the egg whites and cream of tartar, she was busy whisking the yolks with a dab of milk. He was in awe of her talent, watching as she easily whisked the eggs until they were lemony yellow and waited for him to finish beating the whites. She took control, dipping the puffy whites into the yellow mixture and placing them in the pan she had greased earlier. It seemed like mere seconds as she cooked the omelet, popping it minutes later into the preheated oven and waiting just the right amount of time before removing it. Together they spread the rich black preserves into the center and Luis watched as she folded it without causing the slightest crack in the eggs. They set the table together, placing a small bowl of strawberries between the two chairs they chose to sit in. He smiled at her as he took a fork full of the delicious smelling omelet and held it to her lips.

“Ladies first,” he urged, hoping that he hadn’t ruined the egg whites like he had Sheridan’s eggs Benedict.

Laughing slightly, her mouth closed around the omelet and she sighed contently, closing her eyes as she savored the taste of the egg and fruit mixture. “Mmm, sheer perfection. You did a wonderful job on the whites, Luis.”

“Thanks,” he chuckled, taking a bite. “I’m amazed at how easily you find your way around a kitchen. Sheridan burns water sometimes.”

Sighing, Serenity realized just how impossible it was for Luis to get over his true love. Despite the fact that the other woman had chosen his brother over him, Luis was still clinging to the memories they had made and, as she could see in his eyes, a hope that one day she might return to him. “You still love Sheridan, don’t you?”

“I think part of me always will,” he replied honestly. “I can’t say Sheridan was my first love, because she wasn’t. Beth and I had been in love as teenagers, if you can call what we had love. Part of me honestly things we mistook it for a real love when it was merely our friendship turning into something slightly more. But with Sheridan I knew it was love the second she almost died in New Mexico. It took me so long to admit it to myself that I almost stood a chance of losing her. We had our problems, of course, but when it came right down to it we were meant to be. My sister said it was fate and I’m inclined to believe her.”

“So Antonio is just another problem waiting to be solved?” Serenity asked, picking at the omelet that was sitting in front of her. So much for having his heart. Now he was going to let her down gently and say that despite his attraction to her they could be nothing more than friends.

“No, well he started out as one. I had hoped that Sheridan and I would be able to work through this, but I started to realize that she truly did have feelings for my brother. They may not have been as strong or as deep as the ones we shared, but they were there. I wanted to tell Antonio the truth and time after time she stopped me from doing so. Then, one day she started to tell him. She told him all about our love and how wonderful it was and in the middle of the story he started to complain of his headaches and his heart rate rose drastically. Sheridan was terrified that she was about to kill him and when he asked who the man was, she said her dead lover: Jean Luc.”

“She didn’t!” Serenity gasped. “How could she even compare what you two had to that two timing scum bag? I had warned her about that man but she insisted that Jean Luc was a saint! To think she would say you were like him!”

Luis smirked slightly at her obvious hate of Sheridan’s dead fiancé. “I don’t know. That was the final straw and I told her it was over. I mean that too, Serenity. She can do whatever she wants now but she’s proven that Antonio is her top priority and I am just the runner up. She’s never even said she didn’t love him only that she does love me. Hard to believe when actions tend to speak louder than words.”

“I’m sorry it happened, Luis. I can promise that Sheridan did love you and she probably still does. She just truly has no intention of ruining your family and she believes that by loving you and admitting that to Antonio, that’s what she’ll be doing. She really is in between a rock and a hard place, as much as I’d hate to defend her.”

“I know that’s her excuse, but I really do believe she’s not telling the complete truth. I’ve seen how she looks at him, how she reacts to him. The only time she looks even remotely upset over the whole thing is when I get angry. Maybe she loves him more than she realizes.”

“Maybe you love her more than you care to admit,” she countered.

“Touché! But I don’t want to talk about her anymore tonight, Serenity. I’m ready to move on, as hard as it is going to be. Sheridan chose my brother; she had her chance to tell him and she opted the take the easy way out. We both did. Now it is time for both of us to move on. I know that if a I really was her soul mate and if I really loved her the way I claimed I’d work this out and wait it through, but I’m going to let her go. I do love her, Serenity, and all I want is for her to be happy. She hardly looks miserable with Antonio.”

“I’d hate to say that she isn’t when I don’t even know if she is. But you’re right. Let’s forget she exists for tonight, Luis. Let me help you move on,” she offered him another bite of the omelet, which he accepted. “To a new life.”

He smiled. “With new friends.”

Serenity beamed. ‘And perhaps a new romance,’ she thought as they finished their meal.

Luis filled half of the sink with sudsy water, placing the dishes inside and starting to clean up the mess they had made. Serenity sat on the counter top beside him, taking the dishes one at a time as he rinsed them in the clean water on the other side. He washed each and dish with painstaking care, gently handing them to her after he rinsed them clear. She watched as he picked up the final fork buried beneath the water, cleaning the tongs with care.

“If you make love as meticulously as you wash dishes, then Sheridan is a fool to let you go and it’s a miracle Beth hasn’t come crawling back into your life,” she teased, reaching over for the fork and nearly falling into the sink. He barely caught her in time.

“Are you always such a klutz?” he laughed, rinsing the fork and handing it to her to dry.

“Who are you calling a klutz?” she gasped, scooping up a handful of suds and placing them atop his head. “My, my, my. That look certainly does you no justice!”

“Oh! I’ll get you for that,” he grabbed her arm, holding her in place as he splashed the warm water onto her dress. She splashed back, soaking his dress shirt and causing it to cling to his tanned skin. The duo continued their soap war, laughing loudly as the suds settled in their hair, on their faces and clothes.

“You’re a mess,” he lifted her down from the counter, her damp body brushing against his. “Look what you’ve done to the kitchen.”

“You started it when you called me a klutz,” she defended playfully, still laughing.

He turned serious for a moment, looking into her twinkling blue eyes. “Do you know how beautiful you are right now with the suds in your hair and your face glowing the way it is?”

She blushed, turning her eyes away meekly. “I’m not that beautiful,” she mumbled, honestly believing what she had been told time and again in her past: that she was ugly.

“Oh, but you are,” he brushed a wet brown curl behind her ear. “I think you’re stunning, Serenity, and I wouldn’t lie about something like that,” he kissed her lips gently, lovingly.

Her heart stopped at his first initiation of a kiss; one that had come totally unexpected. She reeled over the emotions she felt yet again when his warm lips meshed against hers. How she loved his kisses! “What was that for?” she breathed as they parted.

“A kiss goodnight. It’s getting late and you must be tired from your flight.”

“Oh, right,” she looked disappointed. “If you’d like I can give you as ride back to your hotel now. I’m sure I can make it back and forth before totally succumbing to sleep.”

“Actually,” Luis looked at the clock. “If you don’t mind I was thinking of staying here, on the couch or something of course…in case you need me.”

“You don’t have to…”

Placing his finger against her lips, he silenced her. “I want to.”

“I have a guest bedroom you’re more than welcome to then,” she stepped back, taking his hand. “Follow me.”

Serenity led Luis up a carpeted flight of stairs, stopping at the first room they came to. “This was once my room. Monsieur D’Artigny had it refurnished into a guest bedroom,” she pushed open the door. “You’re more than welcome to spend the night in here.”

Luis scanned the room; the rich dark oak furniture was much like the bedroom set he had owned before the house burned down. It was almost ironic how comfortable the room seemed to him: the gray-blue paint, the wood floor and the rough, wooden furniture were welcoming to the lighter oak of the Bed and Breakfast. “Thank you.”

“No, thank you. You’ve been wonderful to me tonight. I cannot thank you enough for saving me from Julian or for being so welcoming to me. You’ve made Harmony feel like home, Luis. No one has ever made me feel like I belonged.”

“You do belong here,” he told her. “Now get some rest. We’ll talk more in the morning.”

She nodded. “Goodnight,” she kissed his lips softly.

“Goodnight,” he closed the door.

Serenity headed down the hall to her room, undressing and slipping into one of her silk gowns. She sat on the edge of the bed, unconsciously brushing her hair as she thought about Luis. Something inside her had awoken that night, something that had been missing a very long time. She had never felt more at peace or more comfortable with a man than she did with Luis and she wanted that honesty and harmony to continue for the remainder of her stay, however long that may be. “Maybe forever,” she sighed contently as she thought of Luis one day falling in love with her and asking her to be his bride.

Some minutes later, she listened to the silence in the hall and walked on bare feet to his bedroom. Pushing open the door silently, she watched as Luis slept beneath the pale blue sheets of the bed. Tiptoeing further inside, she knelt beside him and watched the moonlight illuminate the chiseled features of his handsome face. Brushing her fingers through his short hair once, she whispered. “I think I love you, Luis.”

He shifted slightly, mumbling something incoherent other than her name. She waited, her breath held, to be sure he was still sleeping. Once she was positive he was asleep, she smiled and kissed his forehead. “No, Luis, I know I love you. I wish you’d love me too.”

She rose from beside the bed, heading for the door. Her hand was on the knob when she heard him say, “I love you too...”

She spun quickly, noting that his was still asleep and assuming he was dreaming of Sheridan. With tears in her eyes, she quickly left the room to return to her own, missing his subconscious admission of just whom he loved…

“Serenity.”

Chapter Six

Through the parted red, cotton curtains, Serenity watched the powdery white snow blanket the earth. In the hearth, a fire crackled making the living room cozy and warm. Her hands rested gently against the swell of her stomach, the baby inside sleeping peacefully and safely within her womb. The smell of pine filled the air from the Christmas tree in the corner, the glittering lights twinkling in the dimly lit room. It was a picture perfect beginning to the Christmas holiday season.

Somewhere in the back of the house she heard his deep voice begin to hum Christmas carols, probably as he checked the meal he was preparing for the night. Her eyes lowered to her budding stomach and her hands moved in gentle circles as even the baby reacted to the sound of its father. “Hello, baby,” she whispered with a smile.

She didn’t hear the kitchen door open or his footsteps as he neared her, but she knew he was there by the smell of his cologne in the air. His hands slid around her waist, joining hers on the top of her stomach and stilling them against the mound. Sighing contently, she rested back in his arms with her head on his chest and her fingers entwined with his. His lips immediately found the soft skin of her neck, placing a gentle kiss there. He smiled against her skin and whispered, “Hello, Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald.”

“Hello, darling,” she grinned. “I was wondering how long it was going to take for you to join me in here. I was starting to miss you terribly.”

“I always miss you when I’m away from you, Sere,” he murmured in her ear. “I love you so much, sweetheart. This has been the best time in my life. I have never loved anyone the way I love you.”

“You’re just saying that because I’m pregnant,” she teased. “You probably tell that to anyone carrying your child.”

“No, only you. I’d want no one else to have my babies,” he knelt beside her and came face to stomach with their child. “Hello, peanut,” he kissed her stomach. “Daddy can’t wait to see you and hold you and love you. He’s going to show you off to everyone: Uncle Tony, Aunt Sheridan, Nana, Aunt Theresa…well, everyone.”

Serenity caressed his cheek. “How did I ever live without you, Luis? You are everything I have ever dreamed of in a man. You’re too perfect for words.”

“Not perfect,” he told her, meeting her eyes. “But I do love you, Serenity. Forever.”

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Serenity groaned, slamming her hand against the top of her alarm clock in frustration. The shrill beeping ceased and she squinted against the bright morning light inside her bedroom. She hadn’t remembered setting the alarm the night before, but she regretfully had and now she had to get out of bed and face the fact that Luis was not in love with her, as opposed to her wonderful dream. She sighed, replaying the vision in her mind and wishing for just one moment that it could be true. Without a doubt she would love to see it come true with Luis, but she knew it could never be. Luis was never going to be over Sheridan and she was never going to force him to be. She was just going to pack up and leave before he knew she was gone so she didn’t have to have a long goodbye with him. It was better that way.

The smell of food cooking wafted in on the air and Serenity quirked an eyebrow in question. She knew they had bought a few things at the store the night before, but she had assumed that Luis was still asleep. Rising, she grabbed her robe off the end of the bed and softly padded down the hallway towards the stairs. The scent was overwhelming and she could feel her mouth watering at the thought of Luis’ marvelous cooking skills once again at work. She quickly made her way down the stairs and towards the kitchen, pausing at the door when she heard Luis singing. It was deja vu.

“Must I prove to you how good we are together? Do I have to say the words? Rescue me from despair; tell me you’ll be there. Help me please, darling rescue me,” Luis sang as he flipped the French toast that was cooking on the stove.

Serenity covered her mouth, trying not to giggle as she witnessed his stage act. He when he wasn’t flipping the toast, he was singing into the spatula and dancing along to the radio that was playing beside him. Shaking her head, she wondered how she could possibly fall more in love with this man than she already was. He continuously surprised her in their twenty-four hours of knowing each other and he was just as Sheridan promised: perfect. Looking at the table, she noticed a tray with one single late blooming rose sitting in the middle. It was then that she realized what he was planning for her: breakfast in bed.

“You ruined the surprise,” Luis spoke, his back still to her as he continued cooking. “I was going to bring your tray up in a few minutes. I thought that after French omelets for dinner, it would only make sense to have French toast for breakfast.”

She laughed, stepping further into the kitchen and wrapping her arms around her mid section. “The thought itself is touching, Luis. You really didn’t have to do that. I guess last night I set my alarm so I could get you to work in time, wouldn’t want you to be late.”

“I have an hour or so,” he told her, shutting off the stove and placing the food on a dish. “I honestly thought you might have needed something like this after the night you had, but you seem refreshed this morning. Did you sleep well?”

She nodded, settling at the table. “Some of the best dreams ever last night,” she told him, her eyes focusing on the tines of the stainless steel fork on the table. Serenity didn’t have the nerve to look at him and see that he really didn’t care what she had dreamed about. She remembered the way his voice sounded as he mumbled ‘I love you’ in his sleep and then the pain that tore through her body when she realized the woman he loved was Sheridan.

“I see. So, what are your plans for today? You know, there’s this great old lighthouse up on the hill, it’s has a great view of the entire town from there…”

“I was actually considering going back to Paris today,” Serenity responded silently.

“What?” Luis nearly dropped the dish as her response shook him to the core. “But you only just arrived in town, don’t you want to stay a while? I mean, sure you had a bad night yesterday, but it can only get better, right?”

She shrugged. “I really don’t have a reason to stay in town any longer. Sheridan no longer needs me to bring you back to her, Luis. You don’t want to go back and I honestly have no reason to force you to and she is probably quite angry with me for my behavior last night,” her saddened tone surprised even her. It wasn’t until that very moment that she realized just how much she wished she had a reason to stay or even had her best friend behind her.

“What about me?” Luis asked, trying not to show his emotion. “You have me, Serenity. I thought we had a good time last night. I loved every moment we had together and your friendship means a lot to me.”

Her eyes teared, but Serenity refused to show him her pain. The last thing she needed was his sympathy to rub salt into the open wounds. Friendship! She should have known that Luis would never have fallen in love with someone like her. “We can keep in touch. I enjoy receiving letters,” she stated flatly.

“I see,” he was pained and his heart constricted in his chest at the thought of seeing her get on a plane and flying out of his life like Sheridan once had. “Isn’t there any way you can stay just a little longer, Serenity? You’ve only been here one day and I’d hate to see you go so soon.”

“I’ll think about it,” she commented. “But I really don’t think there’s any reason to.”

“Who knows,” he sat down beside her and served some breakfast to her. “You might just find one if you stay a little longer, Serenity. Just because the reason hasn’t appeared in the twenty-four hours you’ve been here doesn’t mean it won’t sometime today.”

He had no idea that the only reason worth staying was already sitting at her kitchen table serving her breakfast. She loved him and it was for her own sake that she had to leave Harmony before she fell even harder than she already had. She refused to let him break her heart.

“I can only hope,” she met his eyes for a brief moment. “I would love nothing more than a reason to stay right here, Luis. I’m just waiting for the words that I have to hear to know that it’s even worth my time and effort.”

“What words are those?” he asked her, starting to eat his cooling food.

She quickly looked away from his questioning eyes and replied, “You’d know them the moment they were said, Luis, and I’ll only believe them if they come without persuasion.”

Their breakfast hadn’t been quiet, but even they had sensed the somber mood that had settled since the moment she mentioned she was considering leaving Harmony. They hadn’t done the dishes like the night before, instead leaving them in the sink so she could drop him off at the Bed and Breakfast in time to get to work. Serenity hadn’t even gotten out of the car when they pulled up to the quaint little building. Instead, her eyes remained on the seat beside her as he climbed out and she said something that sounded like goodbye before the door closed. Once she head the click of the metal letting her know it was shut, she zoomed off and didn’t look back as tears slowly spilled down her cheeks.

For some reason she couldn’t go home after that, pulling into the parking lot of the much more crowded supermarket they had gone to last night. She parked her car as close to the door as she could and walked slowly to the entrance where the carts stood in two straight rows. She placed her hands on the first one, intent on using it when she remembered what Luis had told her the night before about choosing the proper one.

Stopping just outside the door, he pulled a shopping cart from the long line of attached carts and motioned to it. “This is lesson one: choosing the correct grocery cart. You cannot merely pick the first cart your hands land on, despite what you might have been told.”

“And this is important?” she asked, looking at the basket.

“Of the utmost importance,” Luis replied seriously. “If you choose one with a broken wheel it might jostle your food around and break something and if it goes sideways, it might crash into someone and injure them.” He pushed the shopping cart forwards and backwards a few times as a test. “This basket is just perfect. The wheels are balanced, it doesn’t pull to one side and it moves fluidly.”

Pulling the cart from the row, she gently tested it and noticed it wobbled a little in the front. Returning it to the other row, she tested the next four baskets before she located one without a wobble or a curving problem. Resting her arms against the carriage, she pushed it towards the electronic door and then stepped inside. With no purpose for being at the store, Serenity decided to simply walk down the aisles until she noticed something that struck her fancy. Luis had shown her the location of all the really important things: the chocolate, potato chips and strawberries. He had also helped her locate those other things he insisted she eat like fish and vegetables, neither of which she couldn’t live without. He had been such a kind teacher the night before, showing her the ins and outs of a grocery store, educating her on the value of using coupons and making her realize that it never hurt to save some money as long as the product was just as good.

When she passed the section where she fell into his arms by sliding on the wet floor, Serenity blushed and fought the tears that had been threatening since she dropped him off. She could remember how wonderful his lips felt against hers and how safe and loved she felt in his arms. Luis made her feel as if she were the only woman in the world; his concern easily winning him a place in her well protected heart. Never had she been willing to let her guard down so quickly and never had she wanted to, but last night she had. She loved him and as much as it hurt her to admit it, she knew nothing would ever change. Serenity Winters was through trying to seek a revenge on people; all she wanted was a true love.

Deciding that staying around in the store was foolish, Serenity immediately stopped and grabbed a few chocolate bars to get her through the plane ride home. She wasn’t going to spend time in a town where she wasn’t really wanted and had to face the chance of Julian showing up and trying something stupid again. Sheridan sure as hell didn’t want her around and Luis was too busy trying to make it through the day that he wouldn’t even know she was missing in a few hours. It was best that way she supposed and headed for the checkout. In a few hours she would be back in Boston and on the way back home where she would return to being her old self –if she could even find that person again.

Time seemed to slow down suddenly to Serenity and everything around her was like watching a movie in slow motion. Just as she placed her purchases on the conveyor belt so she could pay, the sliding doors opened and a gunshot went off. The cashier ducked down, but Serenity was frozen in panic as four men dressed in black entered the store. They were tall, muscular men and the weapons they carried made Serenity’s stomach knot in fear. Quickly the men locked the door and demanded the nearest cashier get the manager. She barely overheard one of the men say they were only going to get what the needed and leave, but as they neared her she shivered. The man that had fired his weapon as he entered the store had his eyes pinned right on her and while the other men continued on towards the booth where the manager was, he stopped beside her.

“Well hello beautiful,” he snarled, the evil smirk on her face reminding her of the one Alistair wore all those years ago. “What’s your name?”

“Like I’d tell you,” Serenity tried to be braver than she felt.

“Oh, I like that fire,” he grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him. “You know, I might need a little insurance on the way out of this place. You’d be more than a welcome addition to what we take.”

Serenity swallowed hard and her eyes betrayed the strength she was trying to convey. The man’s laughter filled the air and he pressed his gun into her side. She closed her eyes, wishing she had just gone home and packed instead of coming here. How foolish she was to think she was ever going to see Paris again. Now she was just going to die, just like her parents. A life shortened by some bastard that thought only of themselves!

“Yo, Billy, come on man. The manager’s gonna meet our demands. Leave the chick alone,” one of his buddies called from the other end of the store.

“No,” Billy replied, his breath brushing against face. “I don’t think I’m ever going to leave this one alone,” he chuckled. “She’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Serenity turned her head away and a tear slid down her cheek. Last night she thought she was going to have everything in the world and she was going to spend the rest of her life with Luis. Now she knew it was a foolish dream and it was never going to come true. The gun pushed further into her side as he started to drag her towards his friends. If he didn’t kill her now he would eventually and the only thing she had to look forward to was seeing her parents again.

Luis sat at his desk, fiddling with a pencil as he waited for something to do. Sam had said the day was slow and the only case worth following was a robbery up in Castleton that could send the thieves right into their hometown. He wasn’t so sure. Harmony wasn’t exactly far enough away from Castleton that the thieves would be protected from the law. They would probably hit Boston before they stopped for even gas in the car.

Leaning back in his chair, Luis thought back to Serenity’s behavior in the morning. Last night had been wonderful and the kisses they shared had really made him feel something he hadn’t in over a year. He wanted her to stay in Harmony so they could be together and spend time together. Deep down he needed her friendship and her love to keep him from doing something stupid like going back to Sheridan and being her toy while she feigned interest in his brother. The realization that she was willing to leave frightened him and he couldn’t bear to say goodbye now that he had tasted what she had to offer.

Sighing heavily, he tossed his pencil onto the desk and closed his eyes. What had changed between last night when they went to bed and this morning? When he fell asleep, he vaguely remembered dreaming of her and when he woke he knew that he couldn’t wait to see her beautiful face. But then she had come downstairs and pushed him away, just like Sheridan had years ago after the imposter fiasco. The change was instantaneous to him and he needed to know why her feelings had changed.

“Thinking about your girlfriend?” one of the other officers asked as they poured a cup of coffee at the nearby maker. “She was a beauty, Luis. I’m not surprised you left with her. I probably never would have made it to the party with a woman dressed like that.”

“She’s not my girlfriend,” Luis replied, crossing his arms and glaring at the cop. No one had the right to talk about Serenity the way he was. “We’re only friends and she needed a shoulder to cry on.”

“And who better than Harmony’s resident hero,” his friend teased.

“Are you trying to start with me, Bridges?” Luis started to get up from his desk, but Sam stepped into his eye line. “Something up, Chief?”

“Yea, you can say that,” Sam sighed, dropping a tape onto his desk. “We were just sent this feed from a surveillance camera over at Shop Rite. The four perps from the Castleton robbery have taken the store hostage and there are patrons inside. So far there has only been one shot and we believe it’s been into the ceiling, but there are several people inside including a manager and two cashiers.”

“All right,” Luis popped the tape in. “Let’s see what we’re dealing with,” he hit play.

“Luis, before you watch that,” Sam started, but it was too late. No sooner had the footage began than the thug on the screen had grabbed Serenity. Luis could feel the tension and fear in her body and he immediately balled his hands into fists. He would kill that scumbag for laying a single finger on his…

His what? Girlfriend? Serenity was supposed to be just a friend but the primal rage and instinctive need to protect her overwhelmed Luis. Maybe he was wrong when he thought that they were nothing more than friends. After all, friends didn’t share kisses in public. They didn’t hold each other the way he had held Serenity last night. Luis gritted his teeth as the tape went black. “Do we know the status of the hostages?”

“No. We’ve had no contact with anyone on the inside besides this tape and by the time on the bottom it’s been nearly an hour since then.”

“What’s the plan of action, Sam? I want in on this one.”

“Luis…”

“Don’t,” he put his hand up and spun his chair back around to face his boss. “I’m in on this case whether you like it or not, Sam. I can do this as a cop with directions from his superior or I can do this as a man going in on his own. Now tell me, Sam, what’s the plan?”

“That’s the problem, Luis. We don’t have a plan of action right now. There are too many people and those men are armed and dangerous. We can’t go in without trying to make contact with them first.”

“Bull,” Luis stood up, grabbing his gun. “You waste your time trying to plan nice-nice with the thugs holding my--holding those people hostage. I’m going to do something about it,” he started to walk by.

Sam grabbed his arm. “We’re going to get her out of there.”

Luis saw her panic stricken face on the screen when the man pulled her against him. “But you can’t promise to do it alive and I’m not willing to play a game with her life. We have to do something, Sam.”

“We’re going to, buddy,” Sam promised, realizing the depth of his friend’s feelings for the new girl in town. “And I promise she’s going to make it through this.”

Luis nodded but he wasn’t so sure and he knew his heart wouldn’t be able to take losing her too. Not now that he was willing to admit that he cared.

Twenty minutes later, the Harmony PD SWAT team took their position outside of the grocery store with one of their more capable negotiators on the phone with Billy, the leader inside. He said he had nothing he really wanted; they were stopping for food and a little cash and now all they needed was a clear escape and they weren’t afraid to use a hostage as protection. For a moment, Billy had put Serenity on the phone to tell the police that no one was hurt and that everyone had been safe so far. She begged them not to be stupid and when Luis heard the panic in her voice over the speakerphone, he had had enough.

“We have to do something, Sam. Now!” Luis paced like a caged animal. “She’s terrified.”

“Luis, you’re not thinking straight. There are about fifteen hostages in there and four men with loaded weapons. We can’t do something stupid and run in there with their lives on the line.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” Luis screamed, glaring at Sam. “Don’t you think I know that I can’t just go rushing inside and trying to save her? This isn’t like Sheridan with two members of a drug cartel. The odds were a little better then. I feel so helpless knowing she’s inside.”

“You know, buddy, for a man that’s not in love with her and sees her as nothing more than a new friend, you sure seem to have a lot at stake here. Are you sure you’re not hiding something or at least denying something?”

Luis started to protest, but he shook his head. “I don’t know, Sam. All I know is I haven’t been this afraid of losing someone since I was Sheridan’s bodyguard. I keep seeing the way that man was touching her on the tape and the terror in her eyes. I don’t know what’s going on in here,” he said, pointing to his heart. “But I know that I want to explore my options with her.”

Sam shook his head. “You’re falling, Luis, and the faster you admit it the better it will be for both of you.”

“It’s only been twenty-four hours,” Luis insisted.

“It only took me twenty minutes with Ivy,” Sam told Luis. “Sometimes you can’t control how fast you fall in love, Luis, but that doesn’t change the fact that you are in love and that you can build the world’s best marriage on it. Sometimes you just have to be willing to say the words and they have to come from the heart without persuasion.”

The negotiator joined them. “They make no demands except that we back off. They’ll be taking one hostage with them, then female from the call, and promise to leave her on the outskirts of town if we let them make a clean break.”

“No!” Luis demanded. “She’s not going with them, Sam. We’re not sacrificing her!”

“He’s right, Jamie, we can’t do something stupid and let them take even one hostage. One unarmed female and four known felons with loaded weapons is not a good combination and it would be stupid to make that kind of concession. We have to insist they go alone.”

Jamie sighed. “Then we’re going to have to make a move, Chief Bennett. They refuse to agree to anything less than what they offered. They don’t trust that we’re going to let them out if they don’t have a little insurance.”

“So what do we do, Sam?” Luis looked at his boss.

Sam looked back at the building. “We go in quietly,” Sam replied. “A few agents at a time and as cautiously as possible. We need to make sure we’re not seen before the agents can strike. It’s the only other option beside agreeing to their terms.”

Luis checked his gun. “I’m going in.”

Sam nodded, slightly reluctant to agree. “Let’s get you ready to move.”

Serenity wrapped her arms around her knees, watching as the men paced the length of an aisle. They were growing antsy waiting for a response from the negotiator they had spoken with. She had promised that their terms would be passed on and she would reply as soon as she possibly could. That had been nearly forty minutes ago now and they were starting to think that the police were messing with them. Serenity closed her eyes. She should have told the negotiator she would leave with these guys. There were so many other people here, including a mother with two small children and a pregnant schoolteacher who had stopped by only to grab some last minute treats for her class. These women had a right to go home and be with their families. Serenity was the only one that didn’t have anyone.

Finally, she stood up and faced the ringleaders. “I’ll go with you, even if they aren’t going to guarantee that you’ll get away. They’re not going to do something stupid and open fire if you take me with you, just let these other people go first.”

“No way,” Billy replied, pushing Serenity back. “We don’t leave until they promise not to do something stupid. I’m not going to take a chance and not get away. I want to be able to enjoy you and all the money we stole.”

Serenity shuddered. “I’m offering you a way out. With the money I have I can get you a plane out of the country and all you have to do is take me to an airport! Just let these people go and I can get you out of here.”

“Stop trying to be a heroine and sit your ass back down,” Billy pushed her down.

“Billy, man, she’s got a point. If we let them all go and use her as a shield the cops aren’t gonna start shooting! She’s got a plane, Billy! She can get us out of here a hell of a lot faster than that stupid truck can move!”

Billy shot another bullet into the air, the arch causing it to land on the other end of an aisle near Luis, who had been watching for about five minutes. He noticed how the other men were growing tired of listening to one man’s rules and just wanted to get out with their lives and what little cash they had taken from the bank in Castleton. Motioning to the other men that had come in with him, they started to fan out and prepare to make a move.

“Listen, I’m the one in charge here,” Billy grew angry. “If we give them any room to send some coppers in here, we’re never gonna make it out alive. So just drop it, Steve!”

“No!” Steve insisted. “We’re letting these people out, Billy. We only need one!”

Billy knocked over a nearby display and growled. “Fine! Let them out, but not her,” he pointed to Serenity. “She’s mine.”

The three men scurried to let the other hostages out of the building, opening the door and shooing them out two by two. Once they were done, the door shut and they watched the hostages run across the parking lot to police protection. They were so busy they didn’t hear the cops sneak up behind them or the click of guns cocking in their ears until it was far too late.

Meanwhile, Billy pulled Serenity up off the floor and looked into her eyes. “I’m going to have a lot of fun with you, especially once we’re on that plane. My guys and I haven’t had a pretty lady in a long time since we were in jail for a long time. We’re going to enjoy having you around.”

Serenity felt her heart drop into her stomach. She had never been one to be very giving, especially when it involved something like her life and yet she had begged her captors to release the other victims and keep her. Thinking back to the night before with Luis, she knew that she was doing the right thing. She had no one waiting for her on the outside; at least those people were going home to their families.

“Nothing to say, gorgeous?” he asked, his hands started to caress her curves. “In a little while you’ll be screaming my name.”

She had to control herself so she wouldn’t loose her breakfast all over him. Closing her eyes, she resigned herself to the fate that she was going to be bedded and killed by the scum of the earth and there was nothing she could do about it.

“She isn’t going anywhere with you,” Luis growled, pressing the gun into the man’s back. “Drop your weapon and put your hands on your head. Screwing with me right now would be the stupidest thing you could do.”

Billy tossed his weapon to the floor, putting his hands in the air. “I’m surprised you’re being so gutsy considering just ten feet away are three more men with weapons who don’t like heroes.”

“Not really afraid of them,” Luis cuffed the man and spun him to face the doors where his partners were already cuffed and being led out. “Your guys aren’t too bright and I brought friends of my own. You have the right to remain silent anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney, if you can not afford an attorney one will be provided to you,” he read the man his right before shoving him over to another cop. “Get this scum out of here.”

The officer nodded and led Billy away.

Serenity’s eyes fluttered opened when she heard Luis tell his co-worker to take Billy away. She looked around and realized they were completely alone. After hesitating a moment, she picked up her purse from the floor, looking down at the tear in her blouse and the stain on her jeans from the filthy man touching her. She shivered slightly, and clutched her pocketbook close. “I thought I was dreaming when I heard your voice,” she whispered. “I was afraid to believe I wasn’t leaving with those men.”

“I heard what you told him, Serenity. How stupid could you be risking your life for those people? They would have killed you if they made it out of here!” he scolded her.

She scowled. “And what the hell do I have to live for, Luis? Those women had children and families to go home to! Even that young man on the register has a fiancée. It was them or me and seeing as how at least they had a reason to survive I figured I could sacrifice myself, just like you do every day.”

“You have a reason to live, Serenity. I don’t want you saying something like that. You’re a beautiful woman with a heart of gold and you’re everything a man could possibly want!”

“Yea, a rich bitch that will take care of any man who doesn’t want to work. I’m perfect for every lazy bastard on earth and that’s the only people I ever attract. Decent men like you don’t want a girl like me, Luis, and even when I fall in love with them I have to compete with something like their exs. So you know what, I’m willing to do something unselfish.” She shook her head. “Look, I’m going to just go home. I’m getting out of Harmony before I do something stupid.”

Luis caught her arm. “Please, don’t go.”

She looked into his eyes. “Why, Luis? What reason do I have to stay here?”

“You have me…”

She rolled her eyes. “We can be friends with an ocean between us, Luis. My life is too short to waste away here where I’m unwelcome.”

“You’re very welcome here, Serenity,” he paused, pulling her closer. “And I don’t want to be just friends with you. I realized something when I heard you were being held hostage in here and it only deepened when I heard you willing to give up your life for those other people.”

“What’s that?” Serenity asked.

“I love you, Serenity. I don’t know how it happened so quickly and I don’t know where these feelings came from, but in the hours I spent with you I’ve been happier than I have been in over a year. I don’t want you to go back to Paris and walk out of my life forever. I want you to stay here where we can be together.”

Serenity’s eyes widened in shocked and she dropped her arm from his hold. Her mind was unable to register just what he had said to her. “Wh-what did you say?”

“I said I love you, Serenity. I’ve fallen in love with you like I never would have believed possible. I want you to stay here where we can be together.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks. “You’re only saying that because you don’t want me to leave and you were afraid of losing me…”

“I truly mean it,” he vowed. “I’ve fallen in love with you.”

Releasing a sob, Serenity fell into Luis’ arms and kissed him more passionately than she had ever kissed any man in her life. She clung to him as if everything depended on staying in his arms for all of eternity. Pulling back slightly, she cried against his lips. “I love you too, Luis. I have since the moment you danced with me last night.”

Luis held her close, reveling in the feel of her in his arms. “I don’t want you to leave.”

“I’m never going to now,” she promised, resting her head against his shoulder. “I’ll never leave you. Not in a million years.” She closed her eyes and thought of her dream from last night. It didn’t seem so impossible now, even if her best friend was going to try her best to ruin this happiness. Serenity didn’t care anymore; she had the one thing she wanted more than anything in the world: love.

Chapter Seven

His fingers gently ran through her soft brown hair, caressing her scalp with long, fluid strokes. Serenity’s head remained on his shoulder and Luis kept his other arm around her waist, hugging her closely. Placing a gentle kiss to the top of her head, Luis inhaled the scent of her hair. She smelled like roses and strawberries; two scents that blended together to form the identity of the woman he loved. “Are you all right, Serenity?” he whispered gently in her ear, his breath teasing the skin of her neck.

Serenity couldn’t find her voice as a tear rolled her cheek and she sniffled. Clinging to Luis’ body with her eyes closed, she nodded slightly. She felt his hand begin to trace soothing circles on her lower back in an attempt to calm her. Sniffling again, she felt herself begin to gain strength from his love.

“That’s good,” he told her, placing another kiss in her hair. “I hate to bring this up when I know you’re still very emotional, but I’ll have to ask you to come down to the station so we can fill in some reports and have you ID the perps. Do you think you feel up to that?”

Knowing that Luis had to do his job and that her statements would help put the crooks behind bars, Serenity nodded and pulled away slowly. “I’m fine, Luis. Really. I know this is a necessary step in the process of justice and I’ll be a willing participant. Besides, the faster I get this done, the faster those bastards get locked behind bars again.”

Luis pecked her lips softly, stroking them only for a moment. Resting his forehead against hers, he watched as a small smile spread across her face. Lifting his hand to cup her cheek, he used his thumbs to brush away the tracks of her tears. “No more crying, sweetheart. I’m here now and I won’t let another person hurt you ever again. Do you know why?”

“No?” she whispered. “Why?”

“Because I love you, Serenity, with all my heart,” he spoke sincerely.

Serenity’s eyes teared from the joy she was feeling and her lips twisted into a bright, shining smile. She hugged him gently and kisses his lips softly. “I love you too.”

“That’s good to know,” he rocked her slightly. “When we’re done at the station I think we have some talking to do, don’t you?”

“I agree that we do,” she admitted.

“Then when we’re done we’ll go have some coffee at the Book Café and have a nice long chat about everything, especially your sudden decision to leave this morning. I’m dying to know what possessed that change in you.”

Serenity simply nodded, taking his hand and following him out of the store. Her trust in him overwhelmed him and she knew he meant what he said: he’d never let anyone hurt her again, not even himself. With that kind of love and trust in her heart, Serenity climbed into Luis’ squad car and went along with him to station.

Though never nearly as hounded by the media as Sheridan, Serenity had learned through her friendship with the Crane heiress that the paparazzi were everywhere and always waiting for a story. With her monetary inheritance, Serenity had acquired an outlet into the public eye and often would find herself heading a Parisian news story. With her fortune came fame and she had learned to keep a cool head when her dirty laundry was aired for the world to see. Surprisingly enough, that calm head aided her in reliving the crime during her inquisition and when it came time to ID the men that had held her captive, she was able to do so without even a quiver in her voice. Her bravery, however, was little more than a façade and the moment the officers left the room after her identification of the criminals the tears started. Luis found her sitting in the ID room, her head in her hands as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Sitting on the cold chair beside her, Luis placed a hand on her back and rubbed soothing circles. “Let it out, sweetheart,” he whispered, moving as close as the chairs permitted. “You don’t have to be so tough all the time, Serenity. It’s all right to let down your guard.”

Serenity shook her head, thinking back to the time when she lost her parents. At night in the orphanage she often cried in bed clutching the one toy they allowed her to keep with her during her stay. It was a small stuffed cow that her parents had purchased for her at some toy store. She had named her Milk and never went anywhere without her. But at night, Milk would provide little comfort in the dark room she shared with several other girls and the women that worked at the orphanage grew tired of her tears, scolded her for crying. ‘Big girls don’t cry, Serenity Joy. Your tears won’t bring back your parents and your cries are unwelcome here.’ Then they would isolate her in a dark room or take away her things. She learned never to show emotion in public and until the prior evening with Julian, she had never shown fear before anyone.

“I take your silence that you don’t agree,” he murmured. “Want to tell me why it isn’t all right to show some emotion sometimes? I cried openly at Sheridan’s funerals.”

Serenity released a soft chuckle at his use of the word funerals in relation to Sheridan. “When I was in the orphanage I cried for my parents quite often. They taught me not to cry by punishing me for my tears. With the media following my every move now, I’ve learned that keeping a clear head and hiding my emotions is my best option.”

“You’ve had such terrible times in your life. No one should have to go through what you did, but, Serenity, I think that you should feel free to open up to me. I love you and I won’t judge you for crying when you’re hurting or screaming when you’re angry. What happened to you today is almost as bad as what happened yesterday evening. You’ve had a traumatic experience and keeping the feelings bottled up won’t make them go away.”

“I wish I could forget all the bad things, Luis. I wish I had never lost my parents,” her eyes took on a far away look as her tears pooled. “I can remember their funeral so clearly. Their caskets were black and my mother’s was covered in yellow roses. She loved roses so much,” closing her eyes, the tears rolled down her cheeks and Serenity made no move to brush them away. “I would take back every bad moment in my life if I could, Luis, but then I might never have met you. I thank God for leading me here.”

“So do I,” he wiped away a tear. “Let’s get out of here. I’m not fond of sitting around this station with you right now. I think we both need someplace more private to talk.”

“All right,” she sniffled, standing up and looking around the empty room.

Luis followed suit, sliding an arm around her waist and leading her towards the door. Taking her hand, he walked her through the main offices of the department and out a side door to avoid the one local news team that had arrived to report on the arrest of the men from the store. They quickly walked the short block to the Book Café, their hands linked even at the counter where Beth and Chad waited to take orders.

“Hi, Chad. Beth,” Luis greeted the pair.

“Hey, Luis,” Chad smiled. “What can I get for you today?”

“I’ll have my usual and Serenity will have,” Luis paused, looking over at the woman with him. “Order anything you’d like. Chad makes some of the best mocha blends.”

“I’ll have an iced mocha, please,” Serenity told Chad, her grip tightening on Luis’ hand. She noticed how the woman Luis called Beth was watching their every move. In fact, if looks could kill, Serenity was pretty sure she would be dead the moment they walked in. Beth didn’t look pleased to see Luis with her and it made her nervous. She had enough trouble with Sheridan against her seeing Luis; she didn’t need more competition.

“Have a seat and I’ll have someone bring them over when they’re done, ok?” Chad told Luis as he paid, handing him his change a moment later.

“Sure,” he tugged on Serenity’s hand and led her to a corner booth where they could have some privacy. Part of the table was against a window they could both look out and the other half was tucked away against the wall. Luis let Serenity slip in first and then settled in across from her. Both fell silent for a while: Serenity to collect her thoughts and Luis to find a gentle way to pose the questions that he had for her.

From the other side of the Book Café, Antonio and Sheridan studied Luis and Serenity at their table. Sheridan’s eyes darkened with anger as she witnessed her ex-fiancé take Serenity’s hand and links their fingers together. When Luis raised Serenity’s hand to his lips for a kiss, she nearly lost it and was only settled when Antonio’s arm tightened around her. She couldn’t believe that in twenty-four hours her former best friend had managed to steal Luis away from her. All her plans to be rid of Antonio and have Luis were being ruined by the one person that was supposed to help her. She couldn’t believe her luck!

“Luis looks so peaceful today, more so than he has since we’ve returned from Bermuda. I was starting to worry about him. He was also so tense when I was around him. He needed a good woman in his life and he seems to really care about her. I can’t wait to meet her.”

Sheridan didn’t reply, her eyes pinned on Luis as his spoke softly to Serenity and then rose, kissing her before taking his cell phone outside. Observing her friend as she watched Luis through the window, Sheridan became tempted to cross over to where her former best friend sat. Antonio’s hand continued to rub circles on Sheridan’s shoulder and he kissed her ear.

“She looks so in love with him, doesn’t she?” he asked, breathing in her ear. “The way you look at me when we’re together.”

Sheridan flinched and tried to hide her reaction to the question from Antonio. Serenity could be in love with Luis, it was possible, but the woman had never been in love with any man before. Sheridan had witnessed time after time how Serenity would party all night and throw caution to the wind. But never in all the years she knew Serenity had she seen her looking the way she did right now, the smile playing on her and the twinkle in her eyes. “She does, but if Luis is off a bad relationship with someone else I doubt she’ll be able to win him over. He’s very strong willed and he believes in taking things slowly.”

“Wow, you really do know my brother very well, Sheridan. But then again since you’re from here you probably knew him already. I should have thought of that,” Antonio kissed her cheek. “Oh look, Luis is back; she’s practically glowing from his arrival!”

Sheridan attention returned to Luis and she felt her stomach knot when he kissed Serenity yet again and then sat across from her. Part of her believe Luis knew she was here and this was all some act that he was staging to get even with her for choosing Antonio. While Luis had never been one to use women, she considered the fact that he might have asked Serenity to play along with his ruse. The other part of her was already finding a way to face the truth: Serenity and Luis were beginning a relationship and there was nothing she could do about it. Closing her eyes, she tried to push away her rage and focus on the fact that she would get Luis back if it was the last thing she ever did.

Luis smiled at Serenity, using his thumb to caress the top of her hand. Their eyes met and she blushed, looking away slightly embarrassed though she couldn’t pinpoint why. He chuckled softly and toyed with her fingers as he soothingly rubbed the skin of her knuckles. Just their touching soothed the questions and concerns both had, making them feel as if they were the only two people in the world. It felt amazing just to be near each other.

“Who was on the phone?” she attempted to make small talk.

“My mother, she was wondering where I was last night. She tried calling me at the B and B and of course I didn’t pick up. I told her I was with you and explained it was necessary. She understood and hopes that we’ll stop by to see her sometime soon. She wants to get to know you better, she said.”

She nodded slightly, a little upset that more people now knew of the occurrences of the prior evening. The news about Julian and Alistair was bound to get out eventually in a town like Harmony and that worried her more than she was willing to admit.

“I don’t know where to begin,” he admitted, watching Serenity. “So much has happened over the last twenty-four hours that I don’t know if my life will ever be the same.”

“It probably won’t be the same, but that doesn’t seem to be so terrible to me,” she shrugged. “Why don’t we start with what happened last night?” she questioned, stilling his fingers by placing her other hand atop his. “Last night was wonderful, Luis. I had so much fun shopping and cooking with you. When we kissed, I felt amazing and I thought that everything was really heating up between us. I don’t know about you, but I thought we had a real connection.”

“I thought so too,” he admitted. “I really believed that something was starting between us and when I woke up this morning I couldn’t wait to see you again. I dreamed about you last night and the dream felt so real that I couldn’t wait to make it happen. That’s why I couldn’t understand your insistence to leave for Paris again.”

“You dreamed about me?” Serenity was surprised.

“Yes,” he responded, blushing slightly. “I dreamed that we were out on a picnic and I told you I loved you. It felt as if you were really brushing your fingers through my hair as you told me you loved me too. It was very odd.”

Serenity blushed, feeling amazingly foolish for everything that happened. “I was in your room last night, Luis, I heard you say ‘I love you.’ I was watching you sleep and I ran my fingers through your hair. I told you that I loved you and when you said it back I thought maybe you were awake but then I realized you were dreaming. I assumed the dreams were of Sheridan. That’s why I was ready to leave this morning, Luis. I couldn’t fight with your love for her and I couldn’t stay here when I love you so much and knew I couldn’t win you over.”

Luis shook his head, laughing slightly at the revelation. His chances with the woman he loved were almost destroyed by a misunderstanding that she was too afraid to ask him about. He knew that had the situation been reversed he wouldn’t have been able to ask her either, afraid of learning the truth that she might love someone more. “I was racking my brain this morning trying to think if I crossed the line somewhere. I finally considered the fact that you might have regretted kissing me.”

“Never,” she answered sincerely, looking deep into his eyes. “Even when I was in the store today the one thing I knew I would never regret was kissing you. It was the one thing that kept me holding on when that man said he was going to take me with them.”

“You were so brave today at the store, Serenity,” he shook his head. “I never met a woman so selfless that she would risk her life for total strangers. It really makes me realize that you have a heart of gold.”

“You’re the person bringing that out of me, Luis. I’m not sure it was always there.”

Their conversation was interrupted as Beth arrived at their table, their coffees in her hands. Putting Luis’ on the table in front of him, she smiled and winked. “Your usual. Chad even added the sugar for you,” she straightened up and the smile faded as she turned towards Serenity. “And I assume you ordered the iced mocha.”

“Yes, thank you,” Serenity waited for Beth to put the coffee down.

“No problem,” she grumbled, starting to put the coffee down but ‘accidentally’ spilling it into Serenity’s lap. Serenity jumped up as the cold fluid hit her lap and Beth feigned sorrow. “I’m so sorry; I’m such a klutz today!”

The cold liquid started to seep into her clothing, chilling her skin and making her shiver. Serenity scowled, grabbing some napkins and trying to pat off the drink before it stained her clothing. Luis was mopping up the mess on the table and Beth was smirking as she cleaned the floor. Angrily, Serenity threw her used napkins on the table. “Excuse me,” she stormed off to the bathroom.

Luis looked up at Beth, frustration dancing in his eyes. “You did that on purpose, Beth! You’ve been working here for years and I know you can put a cup of coffee on a table! How could do that to her? She hasn’t done anything to you!”

“I-I’m sorry, Luis. It really was an accident,” Beth tried to cover her actions, standing and looking at him with as much sorrow as she could muster. “I honestly meant her no harm! I’ll pay for any damage to her clothing.”

“Forget her clothing!” Luis growled. “What you’ve ruined is something that can never be repaired. I don’t even know who you are anymore!”

Beth’s eyes teared and she rushed off, disgusted that her plan hadn’t necessarily worked the way it should have. The sight of Serenity rushing from the room covered in coffee, however, was enough to make her feel a little better. She hummed as she stepped behind the counter to take another order.

Luis finished cleaning up the coffee on Serenity’s chair and the table, waiting for his girlfriend to return. It felt good for him to think of her in those terms. He loved her and more than anything he wanted to be with her. Antonio took this time to join his brother and crossed the extent of the Book Café, pausing at the side of Luis’ table. “Hey, bro,” Antonio smiled, slipping into Serenity’s evacuated chair.

“Hey,” Luis sighed, realizing that if his brother was present so was his ex-fiancée. Looking around, he spotted Sheridan in the corner of the room looking absolutely infuriated and wounded that Luis was with someone else. Turning back to face his brother, he smiled. “What can I do for you?”

“Well, I noticed that you have a new girl. I saw her last night and I was very interested in meeting her but Sheridan said she wasn’t feeling well and that you two decided to leave the party early. So, I was wondering if you and your girl…what’s her name?”

“Serenity,” Luis supplied.

“Right, Serenity. I was wondering if you and Serenity would like to join Sheridan and me for dinner tonight. We were planning on going out and I thought it might be nice to go out together and have a chance to get to know the women in our lives. What do you say?”

“I don’t know,” Luis hesitated, not really wanting to be trapped in a restaurant with Antonio and Sheridan, even if he had Serenity at his side. He wasn’t entirely ready to face the fact that Sheridan had so readily given up their love and romance for his brother. Luis might have moved on, but facing the truth of breakup was more than he was ready for.

“Come on, Luis, it’s one evening. You only have to stay long enough to eat. I want to get to know the woman that could possibly be my future sister-in-law. Hell, until a few minutes ago I didn’t even know her name! How can you deny me that one pleasure?”

“I know, but Serenity had a rough morning and I think I might just join her for a little dinner at her house. I’d invite you over but she really needs to relax and I just want to take care of her instead of making her meet a bunch of people. I’m not so sure she’ll be in the company mood and if we do go out I want to be able to focus just on her. You understand, don’t you?”

“Completely,” Antonio nodded. “Sheridan and I are the same way. We love being able to have time to ourselves without other people around and I love being able to give her my undivided attention. We’ll do it another night.”

For a fleeting moment, Luis felt the slightest tinge of jealousy at the thought of his brother and Sheridan having any type of romantic time together. As soon as it appeared though, it vanished and from the corner of his eye he noticed Serenity walking from the restrooms towards the table. He couldn’t control the urge to smile, so he didn’t, and his face lit up when she arrived at the table and slipped into the booth beside him.

“I don’t believe we’ve met,” she said to Antonio, offering him a friendly smile. “I’m Serenity Winters, Luis’ girlfriend. You are?” she asked, feigning ignorance.

“Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald, Luis older brother. I must admit, you are much more beautiful than I realized last night,” he grinned, laying the charm on thickly. “I was just telling my brother, here, that Sheridan and I were interested in having dinner with both of you.”

Serenity looked at Luis and realized that he had no interest in having dinner with his ex-girlfriend and his older brother. “Oh, well Luis and I haven’t discussed our evening plans, but I’m sure it involves something quiet and leisurely. Thank you for the invitation, though.”

“No problem,” Antonio stood. “If you change your minds, call us.”

“We’ll do that,” Luis told his brother as he left the table. Shaking his head, he turned his attention to Serenity. “Look, if you want to go out…”

“I do, actually, because I would like to treat my hero to dinner tonight. You’ve done nothing but save me repeatedly over the last twenty-four hours. It’s the least I can do for you, Luis. Please,” she begged.

Luis started to protest but he recognized the look in her eyes as a stubborn, strong will that would not back down to even the best of arguments. She was determined to take him out and he wasn’t going to ruin her request by arguing about it. “All right, but I want you to know I’m agreeing under protest. I don’t believe I did anything any decent man wouldn’t have done.”

“I’m not so sure,” she laid her head on his shoulder. “Not only did you lay your life on the line to save me today, but last night you consoled me as if we had been friends our entire lives and not mere acquaintances. I think I’ll make reservations for seven o’clock at the Seascape. What do you think?”

“Whatever you want,” he told her, kissing the top of her head. “Anything to make you happy, Serenity. That’s my only desire right now.”

“We’ll you’ve had a good start,” she whispered against his neck.

Both were so lost in their own little world that they didn’t notice Sheridan and Antonio walking past them as they left the Café. Sheridan, having overheard their plans, decided to make similar arrangements for that evening so she could continue to observe the interaction between Serenity and Luis. She had to find their weakness before it was too late and she lost the man she loved to the woman she considered a friend.

Luis escorted Serenity into the Seascape, his hand on the small of her back as they neared the coat check. He had been quite surprised by the long white coat she wore when he picked her up. The coat was trimmed in a powder blue silk with a matching silk belt that she allowed to flow loosely at her waist. However, the knee length jacket was shut, hiding her outfit from view. Stopping at the coat check, Serenity placed her purse upon a little table and started to unbutton the material from the bottom up. Slowly she revealed the dress she was wearing beneath, finally slipping out of the coat and handing it over to the girl. Luis’ gasp of appreciation made her blush and she gave him time to look her over.

What she had been hiding was a powder blue, spaghetti strap dress that hung perfectly against her slender form to her knee. To accentuate the dress she wore silver and sapphire jewelry: a pair of dangle earrings, a simple pendant and a watch. The pendant rested just above the valley of her breasts and drew Luis attention to the smooth, tanned skin of her chest. The top of her hair was pulled into a ponytail and was curled around the clip that fastened it into place; the rest hung loosely, curled around her shoulders. With her naturally done make up and old-fashioned silver purse and sandals, Serenity was absolutely stunning.

“Wow,” he gasped, taking hold of hand and lifting it to his lips. “You look absolutely beautiful, Serenity, not that you aren’t always the most beautiful woman on earth. There’s just something about the way that dress brings out your eyes that captivates me tonight.”

She blushed, chewing on her lip nervously. “I wanted to make sure the dress I wore tonight was burned into your memory for the future,” she winked, stepping towards him and grabbing her purse. “Do you think I did a good job?”

“Heck yes,” he chuckled, offering her his arm. “Shall we?”

She nodded, sliding her arm through his and walking with him to the maitre d’s stand. Calmly, she smiled at the gentleman behind the podium and was about to mention their reservation when she heard a voice she thought she would spend the evening without. Closing her eyes and counting to ten, she took control of her emotions and plastered on the friendliest smile she could muster.

“Serenity! Luis!” Sheridan called as she and Antonio entered the foyer from the bar. “I didn’t expect to see you here this evening. Antonio insisted that you would be staying in tonight. I’m so happy we caught you!”

“I’m glad you both decided to go out this evening,” Antonio added. “I was telling Sheridan that Serenity wasn’t feeling well and she seemed very concerned about your well being. We were just about to call you but Sheridan left her phone in her car.”

“Surprising,” Serenity mumbled, tightening her hold on Luis. “We decided there was no reason to waste a perfectly good night by staying inside. I offered to treat my hero to dinner and I was delighted that he accepted so here we are..”

“Sounds like a wonderful plan,” Antonio grinned at his brother. “I know that you said you wanted to have some alone time and I really do understand that,” he started, “but I really do want to get to know the woman that could be my sister-in-law one day.”

Sheridan grimaced at the use of the term ‘sister-in-law,’ but managed to force a polite smile to her friend and Luis. “We’ll have such a wonderful time,” she tried to gush but failed miserably. “I’ll change my reservation to four and we can all sit together.”

Luis glanced over at Serenity, “The choice is up to you, darling. If you don’t mind the company then we’ll join them otherwise we’ll just ask for the table you reserved earlier. I’m happy if you are.”

“It would be rude to insist on privacy,” came Serenity’s hushed reply. “I wouldn’t mind having dinner with your brother, Luis. We can’t avoid Sheridan and Antonio forever. He’s related to you and bound to be at family events. Besides, we can always have some private time later at my place once this dinner is behind us.”

Luis conceded to his girlfriend. “Serenity and I would love your company tonight, Antonio. You two are more than welcome to join us for dinner or whatever the plans are to be.”

“Good,” Sheridan smiled. Turning to the maitre d’, she pointed to the reservation book. “Sheridan Crane, except you’ll need to make it a party of four and not a party of two. We had a last minute change in plans and Ms. Winters and her date will be joining me.”

“Right away, Ms. Crane,” he nodded, rushing off to find an open table for the heiress and her guests. In no time he returned and bowed slightly before Sheridan. “This way Ms. Crane,” he picked up four menus and scurried towards their table.

Sheridan smiled slightly at Serenity and took hold of Antonio’s hand as they headed for the table. The power behind her name always did make her feel superior when it came to Serenity. She put an extra sway in her hips as they walked along, the short dress she wore riding up her thighs with each step. Luis and Serenity followed, though his eyes were only on his date and not his former fiancée. Covering Serenity’s hand that rested on his arm, he gave it a reassuring squeeze in hopes to calm her.

They were seated at a table off to the side where they could have some privacy. Luis and Serenity sat side by side with the ladies across from each other. Luis and Antonio immediately opened their menus, but Serenity stared at the name of the head chef on the inside of the menu. Chewing on her bottom lip, she tried to remember why she recognized the name. Realizing that Sheridan was watching her, Serenity quickly opened her menu and scanned the plates. Before long, a waitress took their orders, leaving the four alone.

As their waitress left the table, Serenity snapped her fingers. “Now I know why the name was so familiar to me!”

Luis quirked an eyebrow. “What name, sweetie?”

“The name of the head chef, Jean Bonnot. He and I went to culinary school together in Paris. He’s an amazing chef and we used to practice cooking together. You know, Luis, how would you like to meet him? I know you love to cook and Jean has always been very friendly. I bet we can even watch him prepare our meal.”

“I would love that!” Luis was genuinely excited about the prospect of meeting such a well-known chef. “I’ve actually seen documentaries done on his cooking. He’s won many awards before and after his arrival in Harmony.”

“Come then,” she stood, offering his hand. “I’ll show you one of the best kitchens in Harmony run by the finest of chefs.”

He stood, taking her hand. “Excuse us for a few moments, would you?” he asked Sheridan and his brother.

Antonio nodded and watched them leave silently, though Sheridan was digging her nails into her palms to control her anger. She could have easily taken Luis on a tour of the kitchen during their many dates at the Seascape. She knew so many people in Harmony and her name was like a skeleton key opening any door she wanted to go through. Never had she even considered making such an offer to Luis; she had always been about making Luis feel comfortable and had never used her name after they became a couple.

“I didn’t realize Serenity was a chef or that she was trained with some of the finest Europe had to offer. You said you two were friends, did you know she cooked?” Antonio asked now that they were alone.

“Yes, Serenity attended a culinary arts college after high school. While I was taking classes at one of the best universities, she was majoring in cakes and cookies,” Sheridan responded sarcastically. “She’s actually a decent chef and she owns her own restaurant in Paris. I’ve had the pleasure of eating at the opening with my deceased fiancé, Jean Luc.”

“Oh, so she’s from Europe? Do you know if she has any intention of staying in Harmony? I would hate to see her leave and break Luis’ heart.”

Sheridan shrugged, unsure of her friend’s plans. “You’ll have to ask her when they return but if she’s made any kind of commitment to Luis I’m sure she’ll stay in town.”

Twenty minutes later, Serenity and Luis returned from the kitchen laughing and smiling. Luis held out Serenity’s chair as she sat and then returned to his own seat. After taking a sip of his wine, he apologized to his brother and Sheridan. “We didn’t mean to be gone so long. Jean was actually a very funny man and he was showing us how they prepare some of the dishes. He mostly oversees, but he is actually going to prepare our table’s dinner.”

Antonio was impressed. “I’m glad you two are having fun after the mishap at the Book Café. I’m very sorry about Beth’s clumsiness, Serenity. I hope nothing was ruined.”

“No harm done. My jeans weren’t stained,” Serenity sipped her wine.

“Good. You know, Sheridan and I were talking while you were gone and I realized I didn’t know very much about you,” Antonio stated, sipping his own drink. “If you don’t mind telling me, I was wondering if you could regale me with tales about yourself.”

Serenity laughed. “There isn’t much to tell, really. I’m originally from Harmony but after losing my parents in a tragic accident I was taken in by a benefactor from Europe. He sent me to the finest boarding school where I met Sheridan and we became the best of friends,” Serenity couldn’t even meet Sheridan’s eyes. “After high school, I became a chef and opened a restaurant in Paris where my home is. I inherited quite a sum from my benefactor and that included my childhood home here in Harmony. Sheridan phoned me two days ago to tell me she was engaged and there was to be a party in her honor so I flew in and here I am.”

“Wow, so you’ve only been in town for twenty-four hours. How did you manage to meet and win over my brother?”

Serenity looked at Luis, their eyes locking. “It’s actually rather funny. Luis caught me speeding on the Coast Road and pulled me over. I had recognized his name from a letter Sheridan once sent me about being pulled over on the same strip by him. I mentioned her and the party and he and I talked for a while. He let me go with a warning and that evening I stopped by the Bed and Breakfast with some beer as a peace offering. Luis was actually kind enough to change his evening plans to join me at your party and the rest is just love at first dance.”

“Is that so?” Sheridan asked, crossing her arms over her chest. She found it hard to believe that Luis had fallen in love so quickly with Serenity. He never seemed the love at first sight kind of man.

Luis cupped Serenity’s cheek, caressing it slightly. “That’s so,” he replied. “This morning Serenity was in a bit of danger and it made me realize I was trying to hide the truth. I am madly in love with her and I confessed as much.”

Sheridan’s teeth grinded together and she had to fight the urge to kick Serenity under the table. She couldn’t believe how easy it was for Serenity to win Luis’ affections. The look on Luis’ face was sign enough that he had not only moved on but fallen in love. He had warned her that he wasn’t going to wait around for her to give up Antonio.

“Look, here comes our meals,” Antonio practically salivated, interrupting Sheridan’s thoughts and breaking into Luis and Serenity’s love spell.

Serenity turned her attention from Luis to the waiters, who placed the dishes in front of the correct people. Sheridan and Antonio began picking at their food, but Luis and Serenity both eyed each other’s dishes. Chuckling, Luis lifted a forkful of his dinner to Serenity’s lips and she tasted it, closing her eyes and reveling in the delicious meal.

“Excellent. I knew Jean wouldn’t let us down,” she sighed contently. “Want to try mine?”

“Of course,” Luis seemed like an excited little boy on Christmas.

Serenity giggled and lifted her fork to his lips. Luis shut his eyes and opened his mouth, taking the bite and savoring the taste. Giving him nearly a minute, Serenity asked, “Good?”

“Sheer perfection,” he replied.

“I can tell,” she leaned in closer. “You’ve got…” she faded off, kissing the juice of her dinner from his lips. Pulling away, her eyes twinkled as she returned to her own meal and left Luis to finish his.

Over dinner the foursome discussed many topics including Serenity’s plans for staying in Harmony and Antonio’s future nuptials with Sheridan. Luis didn’t even worry about the thought of Sheridan marrying his brother anymore; his mind was focusing on Serenity’s stories of shopping the flea markets in Paris where she would find items like her purse. She admitted that she couldn’t believe how people could sell their links to the past when all she wanted was one thing that represented the family she had never had the chance to know. The more Serenity spoke, the more passionate she became and therefore the more Luis fell in love with her.

They ordered dessert, Serenity and Luis ordering a peanut butter bombe, which was chocolate cake with peanut butter mousse coated in a chocolate glaze. The couple only ordered one with two spoons and the moment it arrived, Luis stilled Serenity’s hand and lifted a spoonful to her lips. She accepted, allowing him to feed her dessert. They took turns feeding each other and totally forgot that they had company.

Meantime, Antonio sipped his coffee and Sheridan found herself unable to touch her favorite dessert: Crème Brule. She was so incensed by the time dinner was over and dessert had begun that she barely heard Antonio ask Serenity to dance and her friend accept. Sheridan had been alone with Luis for nearly two minutes when she finally realized that Antonio and Serenity were on the dance floor.

“Where did they go?” she glanced around.

“To dance. Antonio said he wanted to have one dance with my girlfriend,” Luis sat back and drank his coffee, leaving the remainder of their shared dessert. “How did you know we were going to be here tonight, Sheridan? I find this too odd to be a coincidence.”

“I didn’t know your plans, Luis,” she lied, drinking her coffee. “Antonio and I had intended to have a quiet dinner here for nearly a week now. We were pleasantly surprised to see you walk in, though, and Antonio mentioned wanting you two to join us.”

“I’m sure,” he grumbled.

Ignoring his comment, she decided to continue. “Since we’re both asking questions,” she leaned back in her chair. “How could you possibly move on with my best friend, Luis? How could our love have fallen apart so easily? How could you fall in love so quickly? I thought you loved me and that we really meant something to each other.”

“I could ask you the same,” he wasn’t holding back any anger though his tone was low. “You managed to cover our love with lie after lie for the sake of my brother, Sheridan, and yet you ask me how I could move on with a beautiful woman that honestly loves me back. You want to know how I fall in love with her, Sheridan, think about how you could turn your back so easily on the man you loved and a girl that was your best friend. She told me what happened at the mansion when you were teenagers, Sheridan.”

She blanched, remembering the same night that Luis mentioned. It had taken her years to realize that Serenity hadn’t lied about that night, despite the fact that they had never discussed it again. “One mistake, Serenity and I continued to be friends despite it. But she’s not the type of girl you think she is, Luis. She’s a playgirl, Luis. She doesn’t actually love you; she doesn’t even know the meaning of the word. Serenity has played men like you before in her life. She uses them for a good time and dumps them. But I won’t do that again, Luis. I’ve made a huge mistake and I want to go back and fix what I’ve done. If you’ll tell me that it’s what you want, I’ll tell Antonio the truth tonight and we can be together again.”

Luis shook his head. “The only thing I see about Serenity is the woman I adore and want to be with more than anything in the world. I love her, Sheridan, and nothing is going to change that. You were the one that wanted to lie to Antonio for his sake, now you’ll have to deal with the repercussions from it.”

“Nothing will ever change your mind, Luis?”

Looking up and seeing Serenity heading their way, he shook his head no. “Nothing,” he said honestly. “She’s all I need right now, Sheridan, and she doesn’t lie to me.”

Sheridan swallowed hard, determined not to give up. “Why don’t you take her home, Luis? I’ll cover the bill tonight. Consider it my contribution to the start of what I hope will be a wonderful relationship, one the two of you can share for the rest of your life.”

Wondering what Sheridan was up to, Luis eyed her suspiciously. “What game are you playing, Sheridan? You know I don’t appreciate having money throw in my face.”

“No game, just go and enjoy the remainder of the evening.”

Luis stood, meeting Serenity. “Sheridan offered to pay for dinner tonight, since she’s your best friend I thought I’d let you argue with her.”

Serenity laughed. “Sheridan, don’t be absurd. I can cover dinner for Luis and me. We don’t need a handout. Thank you anyway.”

“It’s simply my treat for the newest couple in Harmony,” Sheridan told her former friend, offering the best smile she could. “Come on, let me pay. Antonio and I have some wine and dessert to finish and I know how eager you two are to get home. Consider it the first of many dinners the four of us shall have together.”

“Well I wouldn’t mind getting home more quickly, Luis,” Serenity told her date and he seemed to agree. “All right, fine, but next time it’s my treat. No arguments.”

“None at all,” Sheridan’s eyes darkened.

“Thank you, Sheridan,” Serenity took her date’s hand and tugged him towards the exit. She wanted to get away from Sheridan as quickly as she could. They stopped at the coat check to retrieve her jacket, which she decided not to put on, and then stepped outside to wait for the valet to bring Serenity’s convertible. Of course, she had offered Luis the chance to use her car again and they opted for her sleek convertible over his older car. Luis was becoming quite fond of Serenity’s rental car.

As they stood outside, waiting for the teenager to fetch the Mercedes, Luis pulled Serenity into his arms and kissed her passionately. The kiss lasted for several moments, his lips and teeth massaging and caressing her soft lips. They kissed until they were breathless and pulled away only for air.

“I want you to know,” Luis told Serenity, “how much I love you. I love no one else, Serenity, only you. Neither Sheridan nor Beth nor any other woman in this world will come between us. We’re going to be together forever.”

Serenity smiled brightly, her eyes tearing from joy. Forever seemed like the perfect amount of town to be with the man she loved more than anything else in the world. “The feeling is completely mutual, Luis. I love you and I’m not going to let anyone ruin what we have.”

“Good,” he caressed her cheek and hugged her. Looking back at the restaurant he noticed Sheridan’s eyes pinned on him and his grip tightened. He didn’t trust Sheridan and he knew she had something up her sleeve. The only thing he had on his mind was protecting Serenity and her heart and he swore that he’d never let anyone hurt his love again: not even Sheridan.

Part Three