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“He’s yourfather.”

“And I’m an adult!”

“After he cools down and comes to terms with all this, I’m confident he’ll change his mind.” He gives me a lopsided smile that’s tinged with sadness. “I can be pretty charming when I want to be, don’t you think?”

“Stop being adorable. I’m not happy with you.”

He laughs a little, incredulous. “Because I want your parents to like me?”

“Because you’re willing to bow down to my father’s ridiculous demands.”

“Piper.” His face goes solemn. “They’re not ridiculous. If I had a daughter, I wouldn’t want her dating a vampire either.”

I growl at him, unable to find the words to respond. Because the rational part of my brain knows he’s making sense. But it doesn’t matter.

I want Noah.

“Idon’t care that you’re a vampire,” I say.

“I know.”

Tears sting my eyes, making me angry. “I hate this.”

“I do, too.” Noah steps forward, pulling me into a hug. But being next to his warm, safe chest isn’t helping the crying situation. “But it’s just for a little while, okay?”

“Are you going to move out, too? What if Larissa was right and someone is watching the house?”

He rubs my back. “Maybe you should move in with Max for a while.”

I pull back just enough I can look up at him. “Do I need to remind you I work from home? My flowers are here. I can’tleave.”

He frowns at my silent tears, and then a smile tugs at his mouth. “Stop it.”

“Being frustrated?” I ask incredulously. “Beingsad?”

“No.” He swipes the pad of his thumb across my cheek. “Being adorable.”

“You stole that from me.”

“I’m so gone for you, Piper,” he says.

His words hit me right in the heart.

“I don’t want to break up on Day Two,” I whisper.

“We’re just going to take a step back, that’s all.”

I shake my head, refusing.

“Just for a little bit,” he says softly.

“I have a better idea—let’s run away to Fiji.”

“You’ve been talking to Cassian.”

“He has a place there, you know?”

“I’m aware—I’ve been there.”