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“No.” She shook her head as they headed from the bustling mall toward the parking lot.
“Just because Gallaher’s published a coffee table book for them does not mean I will be talking about another book. And for your information, I was just at the office before I came out to meet you guys.” She dumped the packages into the back of her vehicle.
“You are all about the work, honey.” Angeline reminded her dryly. The parking lot was packed at this time of year, with stores offering deals for the spring.
More than a few people had recognized Angeline as the willowy beauty strutted through the various stores, and it had boosted her self-confidence a great deal, putting her in a decidedly good mood.
“Not right now. I have cleared my schedule for the rest of the day.” She announced.
“That’s good because after we eat those delicious crab cakes and whatever they have on the menu, we go bowling,” Angeline said with a grin. “We are going to make a day of it. There is no discussion about our lack of sex life or the men who have disappointed us in the past. Today is all about us. Agreed?”
“Agreed.” Her friends chorused.
*****
“Hey.” Lowering himself at the edge of the chair, he gave her a searching look. “What’s up?”
“I thought you were heading out.”
“I changed my mind.” He passed a hand over her thick hair, settling on her cheek. “It was a lead I was following, but my CI canceled, which gives me time to spend with my wife. Something wrong?”
“Just thinking.” Lori eased herself against the chaise lounge and wrapped her hands around her knees. “We are pretty lucky, aren’t we?”
“I would like to think so.” His dark brown eyes watched her closely. “Why do you think so?”
“We have each other.” She took his hand in hers.
“And very soon, if it works out, we will have the constant crying of a newborn.” The dry tone in his voice could not be missed and caused her to laugh. He grinned at her as he laced his fingers through hers. “I have been trying to get in touch with Del, and she is ignoring me.”
“Because she knows you will be all over her business.” She leveled him with a look. “And she is an adult.”
”Who is playing with fire and will get burned in the process.” He growled. “My sister is usually smarter than that. What is she thinking about getting involved with a man like Manchester?”
“It could be a business meeting.” She shook her head at the look on his handsome face. “Not at that time of the night. We both know your sister; like you said, she is smart.”
“He has a damn history. I have read the papers; the man has been through women like some men go through underwear. I get that his cheating wife made things difficult for him to form a relationship, but I do not want to see Del hurt.”
“You are going to have to trust her.”
“I trust her. It’s him I have a problem with. What the hell does he want with her?” At the lifting of her tapered brows, he huffed out a breath. “Dammit!” The more he thought about it, the more upset he was getting. “His relationships do not last two weeks.”
“And your sister went in with her eyes open.” She tugged at his hand. “Let it go.”
“She is my sister.”
“And she is no longer a little girl. Let it go, darling, or I am going to be pissed.”
His glower changed to a reluctant smile as he pulled her into his arms. “I have been ignoring you and unloading on you.”
“Normally, I would tolerate it, but I need my husband.”
“Got it.” His voice deepened as he pulled her into his arms.
*****
Of course, she did not expect him to call and had managed to block him out of her thoughts as the day progressed. They had capped off the day by going to the spa for full body massages, which left her limber and relaxed.
As soon as she drove into the parking lot and got out with her packages, she felt the heaviness descending. While she was with her friends, it had been easy to ignore that he had not called.
