Michelle knew that Luke had been looking at her rather a lot throughout the morning, and it made her feel even more conspicuous than she already did, his assurances that she looked beautiful not withstanding. She watched his arms as he slid them around her waist, loving the feel of them and also vaguely wondering if a public street corner was the right place for it.

"I almost feel a bit like a bum standing next to you all dressed up in your dark dress with the sexy red heels, ya know. Not that I'm complaining, mind."

Michelle looked up in time to receive his soft kiss, and smiled as she threw propriety out the window, kissing him once more in return and sliding her own hand in a slow caress against his stomach. You are a bum, she told him. But a cute one. She drew a little circle with her fingertips over his waist. I know you dont get to see your sister very often, she said. But Im glad you wanted me to come along today. Thank you.

"For the millionth time, you're welcome."

Startled at this pronouncement close by, Michelle jerked her hands back to herself in an instant, taking her purse from her shoulder into both of her hands as she looked around for the speaker.

A good-looking couple was approaching them, and the very first thing that Michelle noticed was that the woman was wearing lovely red heels. There was no doubt in her mind that this must be Plum, and a warm smile spread over Michelles face as she took in her gorgeous spring colors and excited demeanor.

The man Plum was clinging to must be her boyfriend, Michelle thought, and as she looked up into his exceptionally handsome face, she was struck by how familiar it was. Her smile faded as she stared at him in what she would have considered a very rude manner had she been paying attention to herself. Shed seen him somewhere, she was sure, somewhere that she really ought to recall easily. In an unexpected place, though, it was hard to remember. Wait. The newspaper. Shed seen his little winking picture all the time in the sports section. But not only that. Hed been a player, too, hadnt he? With some brilliant stats, andoh! And then his name sprung on her.

Youre Josh Cloud!

She snapped her mouth shut as her cheeks filled with color, and she clutched her purse against her stomach as she turned her eyes down. Theyd barely arrived and Plum, as well as her boyfriend, was already going to think she was an idiot.