Chapter 1

Leah sighed, listening to the ringing of the phone, praying no one would pick up.

"Hello?" A male voice asked.

"Oh, Hello. I'm looking for Toby Isaccs. Have I reached the right number?"

She heard him catch his breath. He obviously recognized her crisp English accent. "This is Toby. Is this…?"

"Leah," she said. "Sorry to catch you off guard."

"Leah," he repeated, his voice soft. But it suddenly got colder. "What do you need?"

"Um. Actually, I'm heading the class reunion, and you're on the list. I don't expect you to come from clear out in Canada, but if…if you'd like to…" she sighed. "We're meeting at Jeffie Park, out by the old school on Friday, the 6th, around 5 for a barbecue. Maybe we'll see you there."

"Probably not." He said shortly. "Leah…How—How've you been?"

"I'm good. And you? Married with kids, I assume."

Toby gave a small chuckle, and Leah could imagine him giving off that small sideways smile. "Gosh, I wish. No, I was engaged, but we called it off. Other than that, though, I'm doing well."

"Aw, I'm sorry. I'm glad that you're good, though." She smiled and tried to sound happy. "Hey, sorry to cut this short, Toby, but I still have half of the class to call. Call me one day, and we'll catch up, right?"

"Right. Later, then." He hung up, leaving her hanging to the dial tone.

She sighed and curled up on the couch. Why had she even called him? Of course he would refuse—after the horrible break-up they'd had…

Toby sighed and looked at the caller ID. He could call her back later, talk more. She hadn't said whether she was married with kids, he realized. A pretty girl like her, he thought, of course she's married and living a happy life.

He picked up the phone and called his best friend's familiar number.

"JT here?" he asked when Liberty picked up the phone.

"Hang on Toby, of course he's here." He heard her smile and go to give the phone to her husband. "James! Toby's on the phone!" An eruption of babies crying at the sudden noise came through the speaker.

"Yo." JT answered coolly.

"Hey, buddy. You want to go to England?"