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He and Lane had never had a fight. Not when they were just friends, and not in the three months since they’d started dating, but he needed to find a thread he could tug on. Something that would fray enough for them to take a little break, but nothing so big that there’d be no coming back from it.
In his past, he’d just tell the woman that it just wasn’t working for him, or that he wanted to see other people. Neither of those things was true now. Maybe he could make up a family emergency that he had to take care of, something that would give him an excuse to create some distance. This was hell. The last thing he wanted was distance. He’d marry her right this minute if she were willing. He pulled into her driveway and turned to look at her.
“We need to talk.”
Those four words that indicate the death of relationships everywhere. What had she told him, the truth was the most important thing to her in a relationship? So here he was about to lie to her. The question was how big a lie could he tell and still be forgiven for it later because he wasn’t ready to see this end forever. Just a little break until they knew who really killed Carol A
She looked at him. What the hell? Everyone knew those words were never good. What could there be to talk about? “All right, do you want to come in?”
Want? Hell yes he wanted to come in. He wanted to come in and stay forever. This wasn’t about what he wanted.
“Let’s talk here for a bit. The other night you brought up a prenup. I’ve been thinking about it, and I think that if you want a prenup, then you aren’t sure, and if you aren’t sure, then we’d better take a little break until we figure things out.”
She looked at him. Was he asking to take a break from their four day engagement? That was what it sounded like to her. She lowered her voice the way Parkers do when they were pissed. “You’re suggesting that we take a break from our four day engagement? Is that what I’m hearing?”
“I’m saying we might need a little space.”
Not four hours ago, he’d made love to her and said he wanted to love her and make love to her alone for the rest of his life. Four hours ago he was professing his undying love and now he wanted a break? Well, he could have a break. He could break his neck for all she cared. He needed some space, well she’d give him some space.
Lane opened her door. “All right, counselor. When you’ve finished with your break, you let me know,” she practically whispered.
She quietly closed the door, walked to the garage, entered the code and went in.
Ben sat there until the garage door closed. He thumbed through his recent calls and pushed to call Jess.
“It’s done.” And he ended the call.
Lane went to her bedroom. The bed still in disarray from their love making earlier. What just happened? Ben loved her. She knew it. He loved her kids. She knew that too. She felt sick. She brushed her teeth and washed her face before changing into her night shirt. She got into bed and dialed Jess’s number.
“Tell me all about the audition.”
“Actually, it went better than well. I just heard from my agent. I got it. We start principal shooting in Europe just after Thanksgiving.”
Lane began crying. “Oh, Jess, I’m so happy for you.”
“Mom, are you okay?”
“Ben and I just had a fight. We’re taking a break.”
Italian Translations
Pauli, camicie a tavola!: Pauli, shirts at the table!
Qualcuno si sta insinuando la famiglia.: Someone is bothering the family.
Abbiamo bisogno di un test di paternità di Jake è il padre della ragazza: We need a paternity test done right away to prove Jake is the baby girl’s Papa.
Sì, zio. Mi pare di capire. Sarà fatto oggi: Yes, uncle. I understand. It will be done today.
Congratulazioni, figlio: Congratulations, Son.
E' una buona notizia: Is it good news
Sì; favorevole: Yes favorable
Godere: Enjoy
Kate Kane answers your questions
I’ve gotten feedback from readers about some of the characters.
Some of you want to know what happened to Jeff from Favor for a Friend. He’s in Omaha still working for the construction company and building houses. You can expect him to make at least a cameo appearance in Book 7.
Some of you have asked if Detective Mick McGuire is going to be a recurring character. Yes, he’s in several more books.
Some of you want to see more of Collin Burke who was the arson investigator in Family Secrets. Collin wasn’t originally going to be a recurring character, but by request, he’ll be back.
About the Author
Kate Kane has been working in corporate America as a Computer professional for over 25 years. She has lived in small towns and large cities in Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Kansas and South Carolina. She is divorced and currently lives in Topeka, Kansas. Like Lane Parker, she loves movies. One of her most recent favorites is the Hunger Games series.
Kate began writing while still in high school. Her first endeavors were short stories and poetry. Teachers and friends thought her work was good, but as she likes to say, she has volumes of bad poetry to prove them wrong. She may publish a book of poetry and allow all of you to judge for yourselves.
Preview Lane’s next adventure
Directing Disaster
It was October first and Lane Parker hadn’t heard from her fiancé Ben Bellini in weeks. Two dozen roses continued to be delivered each Tuesday, but he hadn’t called. She’d seen him on the news once or twice. He was a criminal defense attorney and his trial which was going on week 4 was making headlines on both the local and national levels. Rumor was that Nancy Grace was coming to Kansas City. A sure sign that Ben was about to become famous. Maybe that was why he’d said he needed a break. Ben had never lost a case. This was a very high profile trial and maybe his streak was coming to an end. She wished she could be there to comfort him, but he’d been clear. He needed some space and she was giving it to him.
She still wore his engagement ring. He hadn’t told her he wanted to break things off, only that they needed a break. She ran her finger over the diamond filigree heart necklace he’d given her as an engagement gift. It was a heart with a key and he’d told her it was to remind her that she held the key to his heart. If he didn’t get over this soon, her heart would break.
Her assistant Meg, who incidentally was dating Lane’s oldest son, came into Lane’s office. “You have a call from Detective McGuire.” A few months earlier, Lane had been involved in a murder investigation. Well, more like she’d been the prime suspect and Mick McGuire had been the investigator. Mick was a friend of Ben’s. They played basketball together, and in the end, Lane had been held hostage by the real murderer and both Ben and Mick had come in guns drawn to save her. Then last month, Mick had saved Ben from a stalker.
“I’ll take the call,” she said.
Meg looked at the carafe of hot tea on Lane’s desk. “Do you need some more tea?”
Lane had been feeling tired and a little sickly. She’d been treating the flu symptoms with tea and crackers. It seemed to be working. She nodded as she picked up the phone.
“Mick, Hi. What can I do for you?”
Mick took a breath. He hadn’t talked to her in a month, since the night Ben had taken him to her house for di
“There’s a hearing scheduled for Rochelle Jones next week, and I wondered if you had heard anything from the prosecutor about testifying?” Lane had been on the phone with Ben when Rochelle Jones had come into his house and held him at gun point as she told him how much she loved him and asked why he’d gotten engaged to Lane. Lane had called Mick and 3-way’d him in so he’d heard the whole thing. But she’d still had to make a statement. Rochelle had been put in a treatment facility but apparently there was going to be a hearing.