Part 100 (1/2)

viciously angry. The next thing I knew I was plowing into her, for

Darren, for myself And for Emma. A lot of nerve I have defending Emma

after what I did to her.”

”No, we won't get into all that,” she interrupted. ”It's done now. I

imagine Jane will say some filthy things about me in her next book, and

my business will boom as a result.” Push it aside, she told herself, and

go on. ”P.M. tells me that you're about to form your own label.”

”It should be official in a couple of weeks. Just where is our boy?”

”He had to fly to California a couple of days ago. The divorce

business. Actually, he's expected back anytime now.”

”Expected back here?”

She drank again, but met his eyes levelly. ”Yes, here. Is that a

problem, Johnno?”

”I don't know. Is it?”

A trace of the old fire came into her eyes-stubborn, defensive. ”He's a

very sweet man, a kind man.”

”I know. I'm rather fond of him myself”

”I know you are.” She sighed, and let the rite die. ”Don't let's make

it complicated, Johnno. We're just looking for a little happiness, a

little peace of mind.”

”That's bulls.h.i.+t. P.M.”s been in love with you for years.”

”So what if he is?” she demanded. ”Don't I deserve someone who loves

me? Someone who puts me first?”

”Yes. And doesn't he deserve the same?”

She shoved away from the sofa to pace to the window and back. The rain

slicked down the gla.s.s like bars. ”I'm not going to hurt him. He needs