I cocked an eyebrow up at his assertion that he could be stern, smiling playfully all the while. "I'll believe it when I see it," I said, ignoring the fact that he had just finished giving me a scolding that my father would have approved up. But my father would have added in the threat of military school and taking away all that I held dear. Until I saw action like that coming from Jake, I wouldn't call him stern.

"Aw, you came all the way down here just for me?" I said. But it was a weak tease. My expression was already softening as I said it. Perhaps I hadn't intended to get into trouble, and perhaps I still would insist that I wasn't responsible for what had happened, but I had upset Jake and he really, truly cared.

"I'm sorry if I scared you, you know," I said quietly.