Author's note: Aaaand I'm back! Hi everyone! It's so nice to be living in a house again. I've had enough hotel-living for a lifetime. Thank you to NotMarge, NicoleR85, partygirl98, KEZZ 1, StarlitStar, and simmari for the reviews! It's good to be posting again. I hope my faithful reviewers haven't deserted me :-)

A Heated Exchange

Chloe Grey's face, arranged into a welcoming smile, froze at the sight of her sister on my arm when she opened the door.

"Hel- what are you doing here?"

I almost laughed at her consternation, which was rather comical. Zoey's mere presence set Chloe on her back foot already.

Does she ever greet Zoey with a smile when she answers the door?

"Hi, Chloe. Hank said we got invited to dinner," Zoey said brightly.

Now the older sister looked like someone had told her she needed to squish a bug with her expensive shoes.

"'We?'" she whispered faintly.

"I thought that's what your husband meant when he invited me," I explained innocently. "A double date of some sort."

I held out the carnations I'd picked for Chloe. "These are for you."

Her cheeks got pink as she accepted the flowers, and I couldn't help feeling a swell of pity for the poor woman. I had a suspicion that Nicholas Grey put forth little effort towards romancing his wife anymore, if he ever had at all.

Did Chloe regret her choices now? Did she wish that she had listened to her father and left her husband years ago?

It was hard to imagine that the woman in front of me, who gave off an air of being rather downtrodden and depressed, was the same age as I was. Sadness and care made her seem much older.

"Come in," Chloe finally said. But her tone told me that she truly wanted to tell us to go away.

What followed was probably the most uncomfortable meal I'd ever sat through, and that conviction is coming from a man who regularly had someone (Alex) throw food at him during dinner.

The closest second most awkward meal I'd ever been through had to be that first night after Moira found her way back to the mansion. All the unresolved issues and silent accusations hung so thickly in the air that it could choke you.

"Livie's doing wonderfully at Xavier's," Zoey gushed over baked chicken and green beans, which didn't taste all that bad. Chloe was obviously a much better cook than her younger sister.

Don't worry, Zoey. I still love you.

"She's making friends already, isn't she, Hank?"

"Yes. And Mrs. Hopkins, her teacher, has nothing but praise for her," I agreed.

I almost added "you should be proud of her," but made the prudent decision not to. This audience wouldn't exactly approve of such a comment, so I left it at that.

Zoey chattered away about inconsequential things over dinner, ignoring her sister and brother-in-law's true motives for inviting me over. She pretended to be oblivious to the looks on our dinner mates' faces because of her very presence. Their expressions were rather reminiscent of a person sucking on lemons.

I tried to offer replies as best I could, but the atmosphere was much too oppressive and uncomfortable for me. I lacked the indomitable spirit Zoey so obviously possessed. I admired her ability to soldier on in such disagreeable circumstances.

Who knows? Maybe she's used to this by now.

"How'd you two meet?" Nicholas asked after a rather awkward silence, gesturing between us.

"At Marcy's shop," Zoey replied.

Rather charitably, she didn't tell them how I'd watched her for months without taking action.

Actually, maybe I should thank Nicholas Grey. Without his chauvinistic opinions I might've never started buying Zoey's mochas for her- or even revealed myself- and then where would we be?

I momentarily mused over the irony of the situation before Grey's question brought me back to earth.

"What does Rivers think of you?" he demanded in an accusatory tone.

Excuse me, when did I get on the witness stand?

"He doesn't mind me, I suppose," I said calmly. "I'm a good customer, at least."

And an excellent tipper to boot.

"So good that he sold you the richest thing in his shop," Nicholas muttered- a comment obviously meant to rattle me. His eyes were cold as he watched me for a reaction.

I stiffened and immediately felt the heat rise in my veins because of the implied jibe at Zoey. My inner beast bristled at the thought of her being "sold" to anyone- let alone the idea that I had entered into an agreement with Billy to get Zoey's attention for our mutual benefit.

It was exactly what Grey had intended for me to do with him. He was a despicable man who could only assign the lowest motives to others because he was too terrible to see anything else.

Don't give in. He's not worth it.

The words became a mantra I sternly repeated to myself until the shimmering film that had begun at the edge of my vision- a sure sign I was about to lose my head- faded away to nothing.

"That sponge cake is rather rich, yes," I noted mildly.

Zoey had to turn a laugh into a cough at her brother-in-law's befuddlement. He looked like someone had just thrown a nasty spider on the table, because I refused to rise to his bait.

"You alright, sweetheart?" I asked in an innocent tone, patting Zoey's back gently as her attempt at subterfuge became a full-on coughing fit.

"I'm fine," she replied breathlessly, though her shoulders were now shaking with suppressed mirth.

Needless to say, we didn't stay for dessert.

Zoey invited me into her apartment when I drove her home, and of course I accepted.

I thought I'd done a decent job at subtly making my opinions known during that incredibly uncomfortable dinner. Nicholas Grey knew not to trifle with me now- I had no interest in anyone's schemes. I was clearly on Zoey's side, and no one else's.

But one notion preyed on my thoughts, gnawing at me until I couldn't bear to keep silent anymore. I waited until we were sitting on Zoey's comfortable sofa with tea in hand and surrounded by cats before speaking.

"You don't believe what Nicholas tried to imply, do you?" I blurted out.

"What? That you and Billy are in cahoots to get my money? Just like Nick wanted to become friends with you to do the same?" Zoey retorted, with raised eyebrows.

"Yeah. That," I muttered. The words left a bad taste in my mouth.

She shook her head. "Not for a second. Billy wouldn't do that to me, and I believe you wouldn't either. Why would you think I would be suspicious?"

"I was thinking about how bad it looked- the day I actually started to try to speak to you was also the day I found out that you're very well-off. Even though finding that out almost made me want to turn around and give up," I admitted. Zoey looked confused, so I elaborated. "You're beautiful, intelligent, kind-hearted, and rich on top of it all, Zoey. You deserve much more than a science geek who turns into a monster."

Zoey was quiet for a long moment, obviously contemplating that.

And then suddenly she straddled herself across my lap, with her face only inches away from mine. Her fingers traced along the back of my neck, and her heavenly scent filled my nose and wreaked havoc with my mental facilities.

Hands. Where do I put my hands?

"I get to decide what I deserve. Not you," Zoey whispered. "Ok?"

"Ok," I agreed reflexively.

She could've asked me to sell my kidneys on the black market at that moment and I would have agreed. Her close proximity turned off my higher brain function, I guess.

Then Zoey kissed me, and I forgot about everything but how good it felt to be this close to her. Her hands started to wander, and so did mine- threading through her hair, tracing down her back, brushing along her silky-smooth legs.

I was so grateful, and honored, that she was letting me touch her like that.

I love you so much. If you let me I'll worship the ground you walk on.

It was the same as before, when we were outside her apartment. I got swept away in the sensations and completely lost myself in Zoey. My self-control rapidly drained away as she opened her mouth to mine and our kisses deepened even more.

Zoey bit my lip, and I let out a low growl of appreciation.

Oh no.

She giggled at the sound, but I immediately pulled away and opened my eyes. My vision was shimmering again, my breathing too fast. I was much, much too close to the edge.

What if I hurt her when I change? No, I can't-

Zoey's eyes opened too, all hazy and beautiful. I could hear her heart pounding in her chest- the sound matched my own. She was breathing heavily, and her cheeks were slightly flushed.

She wants me, too. She really wants me.

Somehow that made it even more difficult not to dive back in for another kiss.

"Your eyes look like sunsets," Zoey murmured. She stroked my cheek tenderly. "They're beautiful."

It was worse than I thought.

I was hanging onto the edge of a cliff with my fingertips.