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damaging. How much? Who knows?”
    Haley felt an inexplicable lump in her throat at his answer. This is what she needed to hear no matter how much it hurt. “So image is more important.”
    â€œI guess it is,” he conceded just as the buzzer went off and he began pulling food out of the oven.
    â€œHaley, why did you ask me to help you with your fantasies? Not that I’m complaining.” He placed the hot dish on top of the stove and transferred the meat to a plate.
    â€œI asked you because, to tell the truth, I’ve always wondered what happened on graduation night, and somehow I felt cheated that I can’t remember.” She realized that it was the truth.
    He pulled the potatoes out of the oven, walked to the kitchen table and set the dish down on a hot pad. He put his hands on his hips and slid her a sidelong glance. Finally he spoke, his tone soft and seductive. “I wanted to call you.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you?” She picked up the basket of bread and the cooked zucchini on the counter and walked over to the table.
    They sat down and dished out the meal. Dylan took a bite of steak and chewed. When his mouth was empty he spoke, “The way you left made a clear and direct statement.”
    Haley swallowed a bite. “What kind of statement?”
    â€œWhen you bolted I thought you wanted to get out of there because you thought you’d made a mistake.”
    â€œIt was a mistake. I let myself get carried away.” Suddenly, she didn’t feel very hungry. She rose to put her dish in the sink, but Dylan was out of his seat and blocked her way.
    He stared down into her eyes. “So you didn’t think about me?”
    Haley was beginning to get nervous about the late hour. It was getting dark and the discussion was getting too personal. She avoided his gaze. “No.”
    â€œNot ever?”
    â€œNo.” She walked around him and went to the sink to rinse off her plate and set it in the drainer.
    â€œI think you’re lying.”
    â€œDylan, it’s getting late. I’m on a tight deadline.” She didn’t want to have this personal conversation with him. It would be harder and harder to get back to a neutral area. This wasn’t about yearnings and dreams, even though she’d had so many. This was about her goal and she had to keep that uppermost in her mind. Yet, she couldn’t help feeling guilty when she considered how many times she’d thought of Dylan when she’d been dating Sean.
    â€œBack to business?” he asked, sounding disappointed. He was standing close to her at the sink. He nudged her shoulder and cupped her face, his thumb caressing her cheek. Liquid heat radiated from that soft, insistent touch, seeming to melt her bones. Was she still standing? “Okay, back to business. But I think we should spend the night,” he added softly.
    He pulled her away from the sink and directed her toward the living room and the tantalizing smell of raspberries.
    Haley didn’t like the thought of spending the night in Dylan’s arms. She wasn’t sure what that would do to her heart, although he did know this area, thesemountains. “I have to get to work on this column. I think we should leave as soon as we’re finished.” As they reached the fireplace and the throw pillows, his mouth captured hers, dragging her into a deep, drugging vortex.
    â€œThe roads can be treacherous to navigate in the dark,” he said, his lips barely touching hers.
    She’d agree to anything to get him to kiss her again. “If you think that’s best,” she murmured, with her eyes on his mouth. She reached up and traced his bottom lip with her thumb.
    He smiled. “Want some wine?”
    Haley shook her head. This time she wanted to be stone-cold sober and savor every single breath he took, every single caress, every single movement, sensation, sound.
    â€œIs there anything you need to do?