It was nearly midnight when they got back, and there was a light on in the living room. Seth swung easily out of the cab and then registered surprise when Embry parked the truck and followed him up the walk. He was carrying the silly stuffed unicorn he'd insisted on winning, spending more than $40 before he finally got all the baseballs in the basket. Seth raised an eyebrow. "Please tell me that's not for my sister."

Embry grinned. "Don't tell me; let me guess. She doesn't do unicorns."

Seth stopped and turned to his friend, suddenly serious. "She doesn't do boyfriends, Embry. You know that, right?"

Embry's smile never dimmed. "She said she doesn't hate me, Seth. From Leah - that's practically a marriage proposal!" Seth shook his head and they walked in together to find Leah on the couch in flannel pants and a tank top, reading. She didn't look up, though with her powerful hearing she might have heard their banter. Seth clattered up the stairs, and Embry lifted Leah's bare feet and sat, placing one of her feet on the unicorn's horn of golden felt - which happened to be on his lap.

Without looking up from her book, Leah deadpanned, "Is that a unicorn in your lap, or are you just really happy to see me?"

Embry started to laugh, and before long Leah cracked a smile. She closed the book and smacked him on the arm with it, laughing along with him. Setting the book on the floor, she reached for the unicorn and looked it full in the face. "Embry, this is the ugliest thing I ever saw! What game did you lose that they stuck you with this beast?"

He tried to look insulted, but he was still snickering so it didn't really work. "I'll have you know I spent a small fortune to win him for you, Leah! Now you have to name him."

She didn't hesitate. "Spike. It's the only name that fits his...um...personality!"

Embry laughed again. "Spike it is. Well, it looks like my work here is done. Good night, Spike. Good night, Leah." He blew a kiss in Spike's direction, and then one in Leah's. She smiled and shook her head, then reached for her book.

Just before he closed the front door, Embry turned around. "Leah? I was wondering. How about coffee, tomorrow after school?"

She sighed theatrically. "Okay. But it's not a date."

He grinned. "Right." He locked the door and closed it behind him, whistling as he walked down the path to his truck.

They sat in a booth and sipped their hot coffee. Embry looked at Leah, took a deep breath, and ventured, "Did you ever think about forgiving Sam and Emily?"

She blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

He sighed. "It's just...it seems to make you sad. More than anybody else, I mean. Do you really need to carry all that around?"

Leah reached for her purse. "Look, Embry, next time you plan to psychoanalyze me, you need to make that clear. So I can say no thanks."

He caught her hand. "Look, I'm sorry. Please sit. I won't bring it up again." He looked so sincere, she slumped back in the seat, crowding into the corner of the booth. She snatched her hand back.

"Just what is it you want from me, Embry? Did Sam send you to lower my defenses?"

He shook his head, looking pained. "I really am sorry. It's just I think about you. A lot. And I like to see you smile. You have a beautiful smile, Leah."

"Bite me, Embry." Leah was no expert at accepting compliments, but the corners of her mouth turned up just enough so a dimple appeared in her cheek. It was adorable, but Embry knew better than to point that out.

Embry paid their tab and opened the passenger door of his truck. "I realize you're perfectly capable of opening the door, but I'm a gentleman. Okay?"

Leah grinned. "You're learning. I gotta hand you that." She climbed in and he closed the door, then hopped in the driver's side. He put the key in the ignition but didn't start the engine.

"Out of gas?" she quipped.

He shook his head. "No, but while I have you captive I just thought I'd ask if you'll have dinner with me tomorrow." He looked at her, his eyes pleading.

"Hmph. Sounds like a date," she grumbled. "But...sure. Why not? Just keep your hands to yourself."

He grinned and started the engine. "I'll try, but it won't be easy. I've gotta tell you, Leah. I'm smitten."

She sighed loudly, but there was that dimple.

Embry stood just inside the door, and he whistled when Leah came down the stairs. She was wearing a powder blue sweater and a short skirt that showed miles of tanned, shapely leg. He reached for her hand, but she pulled back. "Hands...remember?" Okay, she was skittish. Hands clasped behind his back, he bent down quickly and brushed his lips against hers - a brief, flirtatious butterfly kiss. He smirked at her look of surprise.

Sue peeked in from the kitchen, drying her hands on a dish towel. "Have fun, kids. Charlie's taking me out for dinner too - maybe we'll double date one of these days." She laughed at Leah's horrified expression, winked at Embry, and went back to the kitchen.

Leah touched the small of Embry's back to push him out the door. When they got to his truck, she stepped back and let him open the door. "See? I can be a girl!"

His eyes swept over her and he grinned. "I sort of noticed that."

Leah found him easy to talk to. It had been a long time since someone had paid rapt attention to her every word, and she was enjoying it in spite of herself. They had so much shared history - had known each other all their lives. They'd been to the same school, knew the same people, even had some relatives in common. Distant relatives, Embry assured her. They lingered over coffee, and Leah whispered, "If you could change one thing about our wolves, what would it be?"

Embry didn't hesitate. "Mind reading. I know it's necessary, but I believe some things should be private. And that's not aimed at you, Leah. I know you've been hurt and you were lashing out. But it's the reason some of the kids at school think I'm gay. I don't go around bragging about my conquests."

Leah interrupted with a smile. "You do have conquests then." It was not a question, since she knew his mind and knew his heart.

He smiled. "A few. And the whole pack knows how I feel about you. What would you change?"

"Imprinting," she answered automatically. "To be honest, it's why I'm afraid to let myself...to return...to be close to you," she finally finished lamely. "What if we were together - even married - and you imprinted on someone else?" Her eyes filled with tears and she wiped at them angrily.

"I mean no disrespect to our Alpha, Leah, but I'd handle it differently. No voodoo power, in heaven or on earth, is gonna tell me who I can care for. Sam has a lot of responsibilities, a lot of pressures. But I wouldn't cave."

They talked softly until the waiter stood nearby and tactfully cleared his throat. They looked around and realized the place was empty. "Oops." Embry laughed. "I guess we'd better go and let them lock up."

On the drive home, Leah scooted over to the middle of the seat. She tried not to be obvious about breathing in his masculine scent, but it was nice. She had to admit, if only to herself, that she was enjoying the attention of a good-looking, intelligent, and kind young man. He turned off the ignition in her driveway but didn't move right away.

"I had a great time, Leah." He turned to look at her, and he lightly touched the side of her face She was so beautiful, her dark eyes sparkling in the moonlight - her lips slightly parted. He warned himself to take it slow, give her time. There was plenty of time to soothe the aching in his heart - as well as his other parts. Leah surprised him with a chaste kiss. She leaned in and touched her lips to his for just the briefest moment - sparks flew, leaving both of them unsatisfied and yearning for more. But the moment had passed, and he walked her up to the porch and said good night.

They both lay awake for a long time, reliving the evening and promising themselves to be more assertive tomorrow. But tomorrow seems always to have a mind of its own.