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Elberto returned with Sydney’s leftovers in a box. There was no way she could have finished the big portion. She might even get two more meals out of it.

After handing her the box, he clasped his hands behind his back. “Can I interest you in some dessert? We have a delicious tiramisu, a refreshing lemon cake, and a decadent chocolate mousse served with fresh berries.”

Adam nodded, looking at her. “You want to share one?”

Sydney would have loved to share a dessert with him, but as much as she enjoyed being in Adam’s company, it was also torturous. She’d let herself fall for a man without knowing if she could actually have him.

Her mistake. One she’d never make again.

She smiled as she shook her head, trying to soften her answer. “I don’t have room. I’m sorry. But you go ahead, if you want.”

“No, it’s fine.” He glanced at Elberto. “Just the check, thanks.”

“The meal has been covered as part of the auction package. There is no bill. Enjoy the rest of your evening.” Elberto left them.

Adam dug out his wallet. “I’m still going to leave a tip.”

“That’s nice of you.” She set her hand on the box of leftovers. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow to take the dogs to the park?”

It was going to be strange to be around him after this. No two ways about it.

He dropped some bills on the table. “Hang on. I’ll walk you to your car.”

“You don’t have to.”

He shot her a look. “I want to.”

“Okay.” Doing all the nice, gentlemanly things that a romantic partner would do was not helping the situation, but she still appreciated it.

Maybe when she got home, she’d soak in a nice hot bubble bath and eat some chocolate ice cream. Which she’d have to buy, because she didn’t actually have any. It was that or she’d binge some more K-dramas, maybe have a good cry after watching the big heartbreak episode.

If this situation didn’t warrant a few tears, then what did?

They headed out. Adam opened the restaurant door for her. “What time do you want to go to the park?”

“I’m flexible.” She pointed down the street. “I’m right there.” She got her keys out as they walked.

“How about three? Or is that too late? I have to be at work by seven, so I’d like to do it before I leave. That way Sugarbelle will hopefully just sleep after.”

“Three is fine.” She unlocked the car and got in. “Come over when you’re ready.”

“Okay.”

With the door still open, she pressed the ignition button. The engine tried to turn over, but nothing happened. “Uh-oh.”

Adam, who’d started to leave, stopped. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. Won’t start.”

He came back. “Try it again.”

She pushed the button. Nothing. She shook her head. “I have no idea. Sounds like it wants to turn over, but it’s not.”

“You mind if I?—”

“Be my guest.” She got out, leaving the key fob in the console.

He got behind the wheel, a bit cramped, even though it was set for her tall frame. He pushed the button, eyes on the dash. Again, no response. His eyes narrowed, and a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Um, Syd?”

“What?”

He cut his eyes at her. “You’re out of gas.”

“What? How…” She sighed. “I feel like an idiot. I’m still getting used to driving everywhere. Looking after a car is kind of new to me.”

He nodded, a slight smirk on his face. “I get it. When you live in the city, you don’t think about a car in the same way as when you use one every day.

You must have coasted here on fumes. Look, it’s no big deal.

I have a gas can in my garage. We’ll fill it up and bring it back here in the morning. You’ll be good as new.”

“I still feel dumb.”

“Don’t. It happens to everyone sooner or later. Come on, I’ll drive you home.”

“Thanks.” She made herself smile. It was very kind of him, but it meant spending more time with him. In a small space.

All she wanted to do was sit in a hot bath and mope and feel whatever way she needed to. Basically, she needed to mourn the loss of this potential future. Maybe that was silly, but she didn’t care.

She’d get over it. She just had to get through the emotions of the whole thing. She locked up her car, and they walked to his.

“If you want, we could get the gas tonight. You know, if you don’t want to leave your car there.”

She shook her head. “It’ll be fine there overnight, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, this is a safe town. Nothing to worry about.”

“Then tomorrow is fine. And I appreciate the help.”

“No problem.”

At his Bronco, he got her door for her. She slid in and put her seat belt on, holding her leftovers on her lap.

Ten minutes and she’d be home, her beautiful green dress back on its hanger.

Another ten minutes after that, and she’d be neck-deep in bubbles.

Maybe she’d set up her laptop on a chair and watch her shows in the tub.

Sad that she wouldn’t have ice cream now.

“It’ll be okay,” Adam said.

She snapped out of her thoughts. “What? Oh, the car? I know.”

“You just looked worried.”

“I’m fine. Just thinking.” Which made it sound like she was thinking about him. “Lots to do in the house still.”

He nodded. “I bet. My place was mostly furnished.” He turned down their street. “Are you still unpacking boxes?”

“I am. Trying to be methodical about it.” She looked down the street. “It’ll be nice to take the dogs out tomorrow. I bet they’ll have a blast.”

“I’m sure.” He turned onto their street.

As he approached their houses, a little movement caught her eye. “There’s someone on your porch.”

He turned his head to look, and a low growl vibrated out of him. “You have got to be kidding.” He slowed the car as he reached his driveway, giving Sydney a better view.

There was a woman sitting on his front steps, an icy, Nordic-looking blonde in a black, belted jumpsuit and cropped gray linen jacket. Her cool gaze pinned Sydney as Adam pulled into the driveway. The woman got to her feet, brushing herself off.

She had to be Adam’s ex. She practically radiated possessive vibes.

Maybe this woman had more to do with Adam returning to Chicago than Sydney realized. She really didn’t know him that well. Just because he said things were over with his ex didn’t mean they were.

“Is that …”

“Yes. Veronika.” Adam shoved the car into Park and unsnapped his seat belt in one quick move. “I have no idea what she’s doing here.”

He got out. Sydney unbuckled her belt, grabbed her leftovers, and prepared to retreat to her house. This wasn’t her business, and she was zero percent interested in getting involved.

“You didn’t waste much time, did you, Adam?”

Sydney tried not to listen as she cut across her lawn, but the woman’s voice carried. She wasn’t shouting. Her voice just had a weird presence.

“You there. Ms. Marlowe. Please, join us.”

Sydney hadn’t even gotten a foot on the porch steps yet. “That’s okay. I’m sure you two have a lot to discuss.”

“Leave her alone, Veronika.”

“I’d love to, Adam, but you brought her into this. You ignored me for her . You think I haven’t seen the pictures online?”

What pictures? Sydney wasn’t sure, but they could be from the auction.

Veronika snapped her fingers. “Now, Ms. Marlowe. Don’t make me compel you into obeying.”

“Veronika, don’t .” Adam’s voice held a warning Sydney had never heard before. “She’s not one of us.”

What did that mean? And how exactly did Veronika think she was going to compel Sydney to obey? Sydney snorted at the thought as she took the first step.

“ Sydney Marlowe, come to me .”

“I will do no such—” Sydney turned and walked back toward Adam and Veronika, her body moving as if someone else was controlling it.

Which someone was. And her name was Veronika.

Fear swept through Sydney. She had no idea what was happening or how this was possible. She stopped beside Adam, looking at him in hopes of finding some answers.

“What’s going on?”

“Quiet,” Veronika sniped. “Adam, get the house unlocked.”

“Veronika, this is a bad idea. Stop this now, and it’ll all be fine.”

She leaned in toward him. “A bad idea was you leaving me. But we’re going to fix that now, aren’t we?”

“This isn’t going to fix anything.”

Veronika ignored him to smile at Sydney, a strange light in her eyes. “You should be on your best behavior, because I still haven’t decided what I’m going to do with you.”