Julian forced a nervous smile and said, “I went to the gym, and Quinn mentioned she had something to do and went out. I thought she went home.

“Anyway, is there anything I can help with?”

Zoey sat on the couch, and as she turned on the TV she said, “We’re having Italian tonight, and all the ingredients are ready. You don’t need to do anything else. Julian, come over and chat with me.”

“Oh, sure.”

Julian was happy to chat with Zoey. He believed that the better he behaved, the more his future