“Marcus is in rehab,” Celine admitted. “He checked in a week ago after I threatened to leave if he didn’t get help. Nothing else worked. I begged, pleaded, and tried a healthy dose of guilt, but it took me packing a bag and opening the door before he caved.”

Without thinking, Crystal leaned forward and placed a hand on Celine’s. “I’m so sorry; I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been.”

“It was horrible,” she shuddered. “He started crying when he knew I was serious. I told him that he either got the help he needed and learned to be a father to his son or we were over. As hard as it was, I meant it and he knew that. He checked himself into rehab the next morning in Charleston. I just drove up today to tell you in person and also to talk to Mark.”

Before she could say anything, there was a knock at the door. It seemed as if this was the day for unexpected visitors. She knew Ella was planning to come by later that evening, but figured she might have gotten away earlier than she thought. The last thing she expected when she opened the door was to see Mark standing there looking like some kind of Armani dream in his dark suit. She knew she was gaping at him, but she couldn’t seem to find her voice.

“Angel,” he said in that soft, sexy voice that enchanted her. “Oh, baby, I’ve . . .”

“Mark?” She heard from somewhere behind her. He gave her a questioning look before gently tugging her aside.

“Mother?” he muttered in shock. “What’re you doing here?” Crystal took the hand that was still holding on to her arm and pulled him gently forward so that she could shut the door behind him.

“Come in and sit down with us,” she invited. In a testament to how stunned he was, he did as he was told, settling beside her on the sofa while Celine took a nearby chair. Unable to stand the silence that had fallen over the room, Crystal turned to Mark and made a full confession. “I went to see your parents a few weeks ago while they were still in town. Your mother and I ended up talking alone, and I told her how much I loved you and that I was miserable without you.”

The day just kept getting stranger, because instead of anger, a smile played around his full lips. He reached out to run a hand over her leg, before giving it a squeeze. “You’ve been a busy girl, haven’t you, Angel? I should have expected something like this, since I just left your mother’s house with similar intentions in mind.”

“Wait—what?” Crystal gaped at him. “You went to see my mother? Are you nuts?” Dear Lord, was the man suicidal? Of course, he had no way of knowing that she had already poked the dragon with a stick before he’d walked into her lair. The poor guy.

“I don’t know,” he replied, while darting a look toward his own mother, “are you?” So possibly, we have both lost our minds a bit, Crystal wryly acknowledged to herself.

Probably feeling a little lost over their conversation, Celine sat forward in her chair and blurted out, “Mark, I came by to tell Crystal that your father has entered a rehabilitation facility.”

This time it was Mark stammering out, “What are you talking about?”

At that point, Crystal decided that mother and son could use some alone time together. Mark was so riveted by his mother’s explanation that he didn’t appear to notice when she slipped away to her bedroom, closing the door behind her. She kicked off her shoes and relaxed back on her bed, content to wait for him to find her.

She had no idea much time had passed when something jolted her awake. She jerked as a shape beside her took focus. “How long have you been there?” she asked dreamily as Mark smiled gently down at her.

“A little while,” he admitted. “I was happy just being in the same room with you after not seeing you for so long.”

“Is your mom gone?” she asked, looking beyond him to the open bedroom door.

“Yeah, Angel, she’s gone back to Charleston to see my dad.”

“I hope you’re not mad at me for going to see her,” Crystal began hesitantly. “I thought if you could see that I’m strong enough to handle anything our parents could dish out, then you’d reconsider your decision. I never expected your father to actually seek help, so that was an added bonus.”

He turned for a moment to push his shoes off then climbed into bed, taking her into his arms. He kissed her for long, drugging moments before pulling back slightly. “I was wrong, baby. I was so blinded by my need to save you from the world that I damn near took away both of our reasons for living. I’ve only been existing without you, Angel—nothing has meant anything to me. I can’t tell you how much I regret shutting down on you like that. I thought I was doing what was best, but I should have talked to you instead of pushing you away. I’m not proud of it, but it took Denny throwing some kind of girl tantrum and threatening to kick my ass before I figured out what a fool I’ve been.”

Crystal squeezed a hand up in the air and smirked. “Mia and Gwen pointed something similar out to me. Which pretty much lit a fire under me to stop feeling sorry for myself and take action.”

Mark laughed softly. “So how long do you think we would have gone on if not for our friends stepping in to save the day?”

Shuddering, Crystal said, “I don’t even want to know. I couldn’t care less how much hell we catch from our parental units in the future. I love you, Mark DeSanto, and you’re not getting rid of me again.”

Giving her a tender look full of promise for the future, Mark kissed the tip of her nose before saying, “I love you too, Crystal Webber, and thank you for being strong enough to slay both of our dragons.”