Perking up, Alicia playfully quipped with a smile, "I didn't expect you to show up until tomorrow night."

Tobias reached out to tuck a strand of hair that clung to her cheek behind her ear, then winked and remarked, "You know I can make the journey in half the time it took you. That's why I allowed you to leave early."

"Shut up, Speed Racer!" Alicia gasped, playfully turning her head away from him. Noticing her father and stepmother still in a state of shock, she introduced them, saying, "Dad, this is Tobias. Tobias, they're..."

Without waiting for Alicia to finish her introduction, Tobias furrowed his brow and leaned in...