Invitation

His friends had a point, but they didn't understand.

"I can't be with her all the time," came Atticus's grumbled reply. "So how can she be outside? Vramid isn't safe!" 

"At least you know what she wants," Sirona said. "It's just the matter of whether or not you're willing to give it to her. And I think you already knew the answer all along. You're just in denial."

Atticus clenched his jaw. He didn't want to let Daphne meet Eugene, but was he really going to throw away his chance at a successful marriage over Eugene Attonson, out of all people? 

"While you think about how to handle the Eugene situation, I also need to remind you your yearly invite is here."