"Let's start at the beginning. How'd you meet?"
"He hired me."
Laura tried not to stare at the handsome man sitting across from her. Intense brown eyes, almost black hair, shaved in back but long and straight to his ears. Heavy eyebrows, at first she thought he was American Indian but no, he was definitely part Italian. Tall, very thin, very charming. Laura smiled nervously at him. His dark eyes met hers and she felt a jolt of electricity go through her body. When he smiled, he had a black spot on one of his upper left teeth but she hardly noticed. Just one more thing to make him so unique.
Within a matter of weeks Laura knew she was falling for him. He was the Manager of the restaurant, and while he normally didn't get involved in any of the cooking, he oversaw the entire production. He was constantly in the kitchen, watching the chefs prepare and bake, particularly Laura. A couple other chefs who had been there for about two years noticed the attention he gave her, and watched.
They got along so well, and had such a great connection, that one day he called and asked if he could come over. Telling her about his unhappy marriage to a shrew who interrogated him about his every move, he wanted out. It was more complicated than that he explained. He had once lost everything by spending time in jail for a "youthful mistake", and she had been his best friend. Finally they married. One day he walked into the house to find her in bed with his other best friend.
"But everything is in her name. If I were to leave, I'd lose everything."
"What will you do?" Laura asked. They sat on her couch, talking.
"I don't know. Wait it out I guess. We've talked about separation but she doesn't want to. She wants to work this out. But I have no respect for her anymore. And with me, it's all about respect." those mysterious eyes were pulling her in.
After that, he came over regularly in the mornings when they had the same days off. His wife worked nine to five so his days were free. Some nights he ended up working late with Laura, and they sat in the hotel kitchen talking late into the night. Laura knew she was falling in love with him.
He was so charismatic and enigmatic, and when she looked into his eyes she felt everything spin around her.
When he finally kissed her she knew she was a goner, and one afternoon he finally made love to her. It had been a disappointing encounter that he had been embarrassed by, claiming he was out of practice and promising the next time would be better. After that, she knew she was in trouble, for she was madly in love with him. Two weeks later he was gone without a trace, after the confrontation at work.
It had been hard to keep her feelings under wraps at work, especially when he would talk to another female chef. Laura had to struggle to not reach out and touch him, make sure he was really there; that he was really hers. But he wasn't, she realized later on. All part of his game.
Finally, pictures of them kissing found their way to hotel managers desk, and within the day, both she and Thomas were fired. He had borrowed some money from Laura to fund a new project, but he disappeared one day without a trace, without paying her back. When Laura finally contacted his wife, she was coldly informed that Thomas was gone, for the better and the hussy (meaning Laura) didn't need to call again. Apparently the pictures had found their way to her too.
Laura was leaning against Adrian by the time she finished.
"How much money all together did he borrow from you?" Randy asked. Laura shrugged.
"I don't know. He always had one business scheme or another cooking in his head. A coffee house. He was musician - a drummer. Always trying to start a band. Something about being a DJ. I mean, he had really high aspirations. I don't think he enjoyed being a manager. He was a user and a taker. And I was just a kid. . .twenty-two. . . maybe twenty-three. What the hell did I know? I loved the bastard." she said bitterly. "I had never been in love before. . . just puppy love in high school. I thought we really had a chance. I thought he loved me. But he was just using me."
Adrian hugged her tightly. Randy had noticed early on the deep affection Adrian had for his brother's girlfriend. Adam needed to be here, he thought. It should be Adam holding this lovely girl in her time of need.
"He kept telling me to be patient, that he was leaving her, it was just timing, and the timing had to be right for us. And when said it, I believed it." Laura said numbly, tears building in her eyes. "The bastard is a superb liar. Our entire relationship was lies. I don't know why it took so long for things to get physical. All part of his game I guess. So involved in suckering me." Laura wiped her eyes.
"When we were being fired, Thomas tried to play it off that it had just been two friends having dinner. . .then the manager pulled out the pictures and that theory got blown to hell. Of course outside fraternization between managers and employees was frowned upon, and well, relationships were a huge taboo. We all signed documents saying that the incident was to be covered up, forgotten and never mentioned again. The hotel wouldn't risk the scandal of their top chef and a manager having an illicit affair."
"So how many people all together knew about it?"
"Well, whoever got the pictures of course-I still don't know who it was. Thomas. Our old boss. Mother knew I was seeing a married coworker but she didn't know it was my boss. Maybe five people all together."
"That you're aware of."
Laura nodded.
"I knew it was wrong. I knew better than to get involved with a married man. . .but I was young and stupid and to this day I wish I had never met him." Adrian covered her clenched fists with his hand as she leaned her copper hair against his head.
"And you have no idea where he might be?"
"None. He could have gone back to California-where he was from or anywhere. He left me broke and with a broken heart. I struggled with Trixie for almost a year before I gave up and came back home. She didn't like Texas and by that point, I didn't either. I had nothing left to lose by coming here," she said quietly.
By the time Randy left, Laura felt completely stripped. Revealing intimate details of her past to a man she barely knew was just wrong. Adrian stayed with her a while longer. It was almost ten thirty.
"You must think pretty badly of me at this point." she said quietly.
"Why?"
"I had an affair with a married man. . .that's pretty high on most people's list of things not to do. Makes me something of a. . . .Scarlet Woman," she sniffled. He handed her a tissue.
"You can't help who you fall in love with Laura," he said quietly. Laura looked at him sharply. What did he mean by that?
"We all make mistakes. Some people live by their heart. They're the ones who get hurt because they love who they can't have," Adrian was staring at her intensely, only inches away from her. Laura desperately wanted to kiss him. It would be so comforting to kiss this gorgoues man and lose herself in his muscled, toned arms.
No, she thought. Not again. Adrian was seductive, and sensual and charming, just like Thomas had been. But Adrian as a nice guy, not a bastard like Thomas. And she adored Adam. She wouldn't hurt either one.
"You can control what you do about it," she replied softly. "I shouldn't have done what I did. And I won't let it happen again."
They sat in silence for a few minutes when Adrian rose to get Trixie and Luke.
* * *
Before the hearing reconvened, Laura stopped by the bakery to see Dessa. David and Andreas were already there, working on birthday cakes for that afternoon and desserts for a party. Laura had decided early on for everyone to be in their chef coats, to aid in the professional atmosphere.
"I lined up three more Christmas parties. We're going to be swamped Laura. Look at this," Dessa was grinning from ear to ear as she showed Laura their appointment book. "And everybody was willing to put down deposits. That Criswell lady did you a huge favor."
"Wow," Laura surveyed the calendar. Four weddings, eleven parties. And it was only the beginning of December.
"Monday you have appointments all day with people for menus and ideas. I've been faxing information all day."
"This is great," Laura's heart jumped. If this party season was successful, they could break even before March, the protected date. Going under wasn't a concern, not with the brothers backing the business, but Laura wanted to be independent.
"Oh and the ACF called. They want you to speak at the next local chapter meeting."
Laura nodded.
"And your mother called three times. She's concerned because you aren't returning her calls," Dessa said quietly. Laura bit her lip. How could she explain that the whole Thomas affair being exposed was more than likely Sophie's fault. Priscilla couldn't have known about it otherwise.
"She can keep on calling. I have to get to court."
"The kids are safe in school. No one but you, me, Adrian and Adam are allowed to pick them up."
"Thanks Dess."
"No problem. Get to court and show that whore she can't take you down."
Laura smiled sadly at her best friend.
* * *
Laura went back on the stand to answer questions about Thomas. Priscilla sat with cold triumph in her eyes. Edmund was his usual stoic self.
What Laura didn't know was that Adam was hunting for Thomas DelGiornio. His team of private investigators were hacking into Priscilla and Edmund medical records, college records and Adam even convinced an old friend at the IRS to audit them. Adam wasn't in the fortune 100 by being stupid. He had friends in high places and money to keep them. And no one was going to destroy Laura's new life, not as long as he could protect the woman he loved.
Adrian had wanted to go in his place, so Adam could be with Laura but Adam insisted. The cold fury he was experiencing would be visible to Laura and he didn't want to upset her any more. No, Adrian was to stay and take care of Laura and Trixie while he went on the mission.
"And you knew he was married?"
"Yes," Laura's nerves were rubbed raw and Priscilla's lawyer was just getting started.
"So you willingly and knowingly had an affair with a married man?"
"It wasn't like that! We-"
"Yes or no Ms. Stevenson."
"Yes but-"
"You risked your job and career for a man you couldn't really have?"
"I was in love with him. And I thought he loved me."
"A married man. A married man who also had a known drug past."
Laura stared daggers into the man. Randy had warned her this is how it would go. Priscilla's lawyer would be calling her morals and ethics into question to show she was an unfit parent.
"He told me he had been clean for about four years."
"You knew he had a cocaine addiction?"
"It was before I ever met him."
"You gave this man money."
"Yes."
"Without knowing what it was for?"
"He told me."
"So enlighten the court please."
"I don't remember now," Laura sighed. "Some business venture. It made sense when he explained it. He wanted to open a club or a coffee house. I don't remember."
"You lent this man over thirty thousand dollars and don't remember why?"
"I told you, it made sense when he explained it," she growled at him.
"Why did you loan this man money when he had already demonstrated to you that were just his mistress, and he was still living with his wife?"
"Because I loved him. I thought he loved me."
"So all of this because you loved a man who manipulated you and used you? That's a strange way to show your love for someone."
Laura wanted to kill him. How could he know the anguish Thomas had put her through. . .waiting all those nights for him to show up and he never did after saying he would. The tears she cried when he disappeared, her heart ripped out by his insensitive bastard manipulations. The emails, instant message conversations, phone conversation, stolen moments of kissing in the office at work when no one was around. Remembering the way he ran his hands over her hair and held her tightly. The gap in her heart filled with the numbness of acceptance that she had lost the man she loved and wondered what she could have done differently to keep him.
Laura struggled with tears as she fought for control on the stand.
"What about your niece? She's been in four different schools since you took her into your home."
"She had some trouble right after her father's death. Every school that asked her to leave agreed it was acting out after what she saw, and they simply weren't equipped to deal with the trauma."
"She lasted about three months at each school. How long has she been at the current school?"
"Since early September and she loves it. Straight A's, no problems." Laura snapped.
"Wasn't she in a fight on the very first day of school, that you had to go down and talk to the principal?"
"She was defending another student against the bully. Check your facts."
The lawyer glanced at Priscilla and Edmund. Another area where he didn't have all the facts, Randy noted.
"Have you ever been married Ms. Stevenson?"
"No."
"Have you ever had a relationship that could have ended up in marriage?"
"Yes."
"What happened?"
"Objection Your Honor, irrelevant," Randy sensed where it was going. Priscilla's lawyer smiled politely.
"Your Honor, if I'm allowed to proceed, I will reach the conclusion shortly."
"Make it quick."
"Answer the question Ms Stevenson. Why did you never marry?"
"I didn't love him. I was too young to know what love was and when I found he was deep into the pornography industry I realized he didn't know what love was either. So we split."
"Now would this be while you were existing on prescription diet pills in college?"
Laura's jaw clenched. How had Priscilla managed to get all of this out of Sophie?
"Objection Your Honor!"
"Overruled. Continue."
"I was under a physician's care for weight loss, yes. At the time, I believed my weight factor was what prompted my boyfriend to find other means of satisfaction. He was obsessed with thin redheads with large breasts." she said softly.
"You went to a clinic correct?" the lawyer was pretending to check his notes, like he didn't have every bit memorized.
"Yes."
"Now, in this clinic did you ever meet the doctor?"
Laura knew trouble was coming. He wouldn't be following this line of questioning otherwise. She didn't like the intense expression on Randy's face.
"Yes."
"How many times?"
"Once."
"Who monitored your visits?"
"The nurses."
"Actually, they were Physician Assistants, not nurses, correct?"
"It's possible. This was a long time ago," she hated the way he kept smoothing his tie.
"The supervising doctor, whom you met once, was a doctor of osteopathic medicine. Do you know what that is Ms Stevenson?"
"Not really," Laura's heart was pounding again.
"Osteopathic Medicine recognizes the human body as a single organism made up of many interrelated parts that depend on each other to function properly. These interrelated parts include muscles, bones, joints, etc., which are emphasized as both a cause and a reflection of disease, illness, and injury." he was reading from his notes.
"Okay," Laura didn't understand all of it.
"Basically, a doctor of Osteopathics uses a 'whole person' concept to prevent health problems as well as the body's natural ability to heal itself."
Laura glanced at Randy.
"Objection Your Honor, we are way out in left field."
"I tend to agree."
"Your Honor, I'll speed it up. Please allow me another thirty seconds," he flashed that toothy smile.
"Thirty seconds, no more," the judge growled. Laura knew if Randy had objected, he had it figured out.
"In other words, Ms Stevenson, this doctor's field has nothing to do with weight loss. Yet you trusted him."
"I lost the weight I needed to."
"And you got the drug fix you needed," the lawyer snapped back. Laura froze.
"What?"
"You've been taking diet pills off and on for years Ms. Stevenson. Are you denying it?"
"No, but-"
"This was one way to feed your addiction."
"Objection! Pure speculation!" Randy was on his feet. Adrian was gripping the seat he sat in. Laura was stunned.
"Your honor, Ms. Stevenson stands at six feet tall. She went to this clinic when she weighed in at 225 pounds, which, while on the higher side, is not uncommon for someone of that height. We've shown that Ms. Stevenson has been abusing diet pills for years. With this kind of body image and low self esteem, is it proper for a young- "
"Objection!"
"-girl to grow up around?"
The judge banged his gavel.
"Objection overruled. Point made."
"No further questions Your Honor."
Laura couldn't answer. The attorney turned to the judge.
"Judge Fitzwater, I think you've seen enough evidence to prove that Laura Stevenson is unfit to raise her niece. Affairs with married men, a struggling business backed by her current boyfriend. Wild days not that long ago of heavy drinking and experimental drug use. Is this the kind of home that a child should be raised in?"
Laura looked away.
"We'll reconvene in an hour."
* * *
"Why would he want to interview Trixie? I thought there were laws against minors testifying."
"She's not testifying," Randy said patiently. "He just wants to talk to her. I'll be there and so will Adrian, so she has someone she knows. But you are to keep quiet." he said sternly to the younger Wingfield brother. Adrian nodded. His temper was well known and Randy didn't know what Adrian would do if his feelings for Laura ran as deep as Randy suspected.
Laura had had to explain to Trixie that Priscilla wanted her to live with them. Trixie had promptly refused and shouted no, not listening to Laura which led to a tantrum. Adrian finally calmed her down. Laura kept assuring her no one would take her away.
"Why do I have to talk about Silly?" Trixie demanded the next morning, on the way to the courthouse.
"Don't call her that," Laura said sharply.
"Daddy did."
"Just answer the judge's questions, ok Trix?" Adrian said, hugging the girl fiercely. Trixie nodded sullenly.
"You'll be with me?" she asked. Adrian nodded.
* * *
The hour Trixie was in with the judge was the longest of Laura's life. She paced the office, drank a gallon of water, tried to read, and finally contented herself to sit and stare at the wall, wishing Adam were here to hold her.
Finally, the door opened and Adrian emerged, carrying her. He winked at Laura, who felt her spirits lift slightly. Randy emerged, his eyes gleaming. No one spoke until they reached the car.
"That may have been the worst thing Priscilla could have done. Trixie was great in there."
"What'd she say?"
"That Aunt Silly makes her sit and watch boring tv programs and takes her to watch her play tennis but won't teach her. That Aunt Silly won't let her have any dolls, and scolds her for telling stories, saying that little girls shouldn't make up lies. Oh you name it. Trixie painted her out to be the Wicked Witch of the West." Randy and Adrian were both laughing. Laura held back her tears.
"What do you think?"
"I think Priscilla will keep fighting, but Trixie talking to the judge worked in our favor. I'll be very surprised if the judge rules against us."
Laura hugged Randy.
"Thank you."
"Now be on your toes. Like I said, I fully expect Priscilla to keep fighting. There's something more at stake her than Trixie's upbringing."
Laura nodded. Her sister never did anything without motive.
"For today, go home, celebrate, and have a good time." Randy smiled.
* * *
Adrian and Trixie had gone to pickup Dessa and Luke when Laura's phone rang. Sighing, she knew it was her mother. On the fifth ring she picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Laura, please don't be so cold with me. I've been worried sick that you haven't returned my calls."
Laura sat on the couch.
"What am I supposed to do Mother? The only way Priscilla could have ever found out I had an affair with a married man, or known about the weight loss pills was if you told her. I know the family knew about my drinking when I was younger but you had to have given her the rest."
"I didn't know Laura. I didn't know. During that whole man thing she had asked me once if you were seeing anyone. I remember expressing concern that you would be hurt because he was married. I never gave her a name or anything else. As for the weight loss . . .well. . .we were talking a while back and she asking me how your weight went up and down and she thought you had an eating disorder. I didn't know what this was leading up to."
"Mother, her lawyer painted me to be a drug popping, alcoholic whore with the morals of an alley cat in that courtroom!"
"I'm so sorry Laura." Sophie whispered through her tears. Laura just shook her head.
"The judge decided to let me keep Trixie. For now. Adam's lawyer is brilliant. But I want you to know the battle lines are drawn."
"I just want to see my granddaughter."
"No mother. I can't trust you with her. I don't know how involved with Priscilla you are but Trixie hates her and I won't allow anything to hurt Trixie."
"I would never hurt Trixie! She's all we have left of George!" Sophie cried.
"I don't think it's safe for Trixie to see you right now," Laura said painfully. "Priscilla wants a battle, she'll get one. But I will win. And you will lose one daughter, regardless."
Laura hung up the phone and burst into tears.
Sophie called her other daughter.
"Priscilla, I want you to stop this nonsense over Trixie."
"No, Mother. Trixie belongs with me," Priscilla spoke coldly as she sat perched at her desk. She was still seething over the afternoon's loss.
"Priscilla, you are going to tear what remains of this family apart. You tricked me into information to hurt your sister!"
"That little slut doesn't deserve Trixie. I do! I've wanted a child for years! I can give her everything she needs."
"She needs Laura. And Laura needs her."
"What do you mean?" Priscilla asked smoothly.
"Laura loves that little girl. She's made Laura's life better and Laura is happy. Let them be."
"No. Mother you know in your heart Laura is unfit to raise a child. Look at her lifestyle. And those two men hanging around all the time. Who knows what forbidden and revolting things they're into? It isn't proper."
"Priscilla, I'm asking you please, stop this."
"No."
Sophie hung up the phone in tears. Priscilla was so much like her ex-husband. The only child who was old enough to remember the father who ran out on them. Such a cold, unfeeling man. Furious when Priscilla was born first, he had beaten Sophie for bearing a girl. Then George came along, sickly and small. That was Sophie' s fault too. And when she had Laura, he up and left and vanished into the world. Sophie filed for divorce. Since he wasn't there to contest it, it was approved. Changing back to her maiden name of Stevenson, she moved in with her parents to raise the children.
Sophie wished she knew how to stop Priscilla.
* * *
Adam returned to the house that evening as they were celebrating. On the plane, his assistant had brought him the files he needed. Thomas DelGiornio was living in Los Angeles, in a roach infested one room apartment on Sunset Strip under the name Thomas Fuchs. Currently a bartender at a local strip club, Adam's sources reported he went home nightly with someone different, male and female. No one seemed to much about him, he was drunk ninety percent of the time. He had returned to his junkie days as well, with a warrant out for his arrest. Adam had been kind enough to call the police department and give them the full run down on his whereabouts. Adam also had a lawsuit filed on behalf of Laura for the money he owed her. He didn't care what happened to the bastard at this point.
The informant at the hotel in Dallas had been identified. He was now Executive Chef, a position Laura had been considered for during her stint there. Enough digging had revealed Laura turned him down repeatedly for dates, and he began to follow her, to find out who she was seeing. It was he who got the pictures of her and Thomas.
"Any luck on the sister?" Adam asked.
"No sir. But we're still looking."
"Turn every pebble over. I want this bitch crucified," Adam said. His assistant nodded. Adam returned to pouring over the documents. His people had even managed to snare the photographs of Laura and Thomas. Good looking guy, he thought. Slight resemblances between him and Adrian. In more recent pictures Thomas didn't look so good. Bloodshot eyes, strung out. Adam would bet he was into more than just cocaine. Probably whored himself out for whatever drug he could get his hands on.
Having been called by Randy earlier, he knew the custody battle was temporarily on hold. He also knew women like Priscilla never gave up. She would come after Laura again, guns blazing, and Adam would be there to knock her on her ass.
With Christmas coming he wanted to take Laura an Trixie somewhere exotic but Laura had regretfully told him she couldn't leave town during the biggest party season of the year. Dessa was taking calls daily for parties.
An old associate in Brazil was working on a project for him though. It would be ready by late February. Something big and sparkly.
His mind wandered as he thought about Laura. Still unsure of how he had been lucky enough to snag her before Adrian did. Adrian hadn't even put up a fight. Adam knew Adrian had feelings for Laura. Adrian wouldn't admit it, especially since he was seeing Dessa, but Adam knew his younger brother too well.
He arrived at the house to find several lights on. Adrian's car was there, parked next to Laura's. As he approached, he glanced in to large window. Trixie was sitting on Adrian's lap, who sat next to Laura. She was leaning over, looking at the cards he held in his hand, and Adam was startled to realize how . . .familial they looked. Across from them sat Luke and Dessa. Luke was saying something to Dessa about her cards. Cozy, was the word that came to mind.
Knocking lightly on the door, he heard the laughter stop. Laura opened the door, apprehension fading from her lovely face as she threw her arms around Adam.
"You're back!"
"I couldn't stay away," he whispered, holding her tight.
"Hi Adam!" Trixie called. "I'm trying to help Adrin win but he won't listen to me."
"He doesn't listen to anyone," Adam smiled. Adrian gave him a dirty look. "Congratulations my love."
"Thank you. I don't think it's over but we won the first round."
"And we'll win whatever else she throws at us," he promised, kissing her. The pale green of her sweater brought out the glow of her fair skin, her long hair held back with a headband. He wished everyone would leave so they could be alone. The touch of her skin was his addiction, her kisses the lifeforce he needed.
"I'm glad you're back," she smiled up at him and he felt his heart warming. Six months ago he had been the coldest man on earth when it came to women, using them, politely of course, letting them go gently, for he was a gentleman, but never thinking much about them. Now, he had everything he wanted in his arms.
"So do the important Wingfield Brothers have Christmas parties?" Laura teased him later. Trixie was in bed, Adrian had taken Dessa and Luke home.
"Hell no. We attend everyone else's," Adam smirked. They were snuggled together one the couch. "Too much of a hassle to plan one of those things. We make up an itinerary of the order in which we attend and how long we're there."
"I was wondering if I needed to be catering it," she swatted him on the arm lightly. He grinned.
"No, but you can feed me if you want to," he caught her in his arms and pulled her to him.
"I'll think about it," she said cheekily. His hungry kiss intensified and she pulled him to his feet.
"Kicking me out are you?" he began kissing her neck.
"Well I do turn into a pumpkin at midnight," she giggled.
"In that case," he drew her closer, "we'd better hurry."
* * *
When Adam woke the next morning he was surprised to hear the shower running. Rarely did Laura get up before him when they spent the night together. Adam was an early riser.
The bedroom door flew open and Trixie bounded in. Adam was grateful he had pulled his pants on as he picked up their clothes from the night before.
"Hi Adam," Trixie greeted him, making a beeline for Laura's vanity table.
"Uh, good morning Trixie. What are you doing?"
"Looking for Laura's lipstick. I have a lunch date," she said airily. Adam hid his smile.
"Really? With who?"
"Adrin," she was rooting through the drawers, pulling various make up items out.
"Well I wish you two the best of luck," he chuckled. Trixie grinned, revealing she had lost another baby tooth and dashed out of the room, lipstick in hand. Chuckling to himself he moved towards the vanity to pick up Laura's bra from yesterday. His eyes fell on a package of medication. Impulsively he reached out and picked it up, his heart stopping. Diet pills. Randy had given him the details of the trial.
"Hey you're up," Laura appeared in the doorway, one towel around her, another around her hair. Walking to him she wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him on the neck. "I was hoping you might join me."
Adam's thoughts were interrupted by the fresh scent of her. The sudden weight loss that he didn't care for. Her jeans fitting so loosely. Not eating as much.
"Laura, I need to ask you something," he pushed her back slightly. Puzzled, she stared at him.
"What?"
"Have you been taking these?" he held up the package. Laura blinked. Adam could see she was debating her answer.
"On occasion."
"Why?"
"My clothes got too tight. I wanted to lose a few pounds," her heart was pounding. "Snd what are you doing looking through my things?"
"How long have you been taking these?"
"Adam, what's the big deal? They're all natural. Drug free," she was holding her towel against her now, on the defense.
"Laura, we just went through all of this in court."
"Adam, it's my body," she snapped. "If I want to lose a few pounds, then I will."
"I don't want you taking these." his green eyes were hard and furious. "There are all kinds of complications that can hurt you."
"I will take them if I want to Adam. I've reached my goal," her jaw was clenched as they stood off.
"They're dangerous."
"Only if abused and I don't plan to do it that way."
"Well if you're finished with them, then I want you to put them down the garbage disposal."
Laura shook her head.
"No one tells me what to do. Especially not my lover!" she snapped, color flooding her cheeks as her temper mounted.
"Laura, I'm worried about your health! Those things have been know to cause strokes in young women!"
"Let me make something perfectly clear to you Adam," she moved towards him in a predatory manner and Adam's temper was about to pop. "You mean the world to me. But you will not, in any way, shape or form, tell me how to live my life. Is that clear?"
"I won't stand by and let you destroy yourself! Someone else in my life almost died because of those things and I won't have you do the same!"
"I don't plan to. But I'll make my own choices!"
Laura slammed the bathroom door behind her. Shaking with fury she stared at the steamed over mirror.
Adam dropped the package on the vanity, pulling his sweater on with cold fury. His sister was a little talked about subject and Laura didn't know what happened with her. But damn if he would lose another woman he loved to a paranoia about weight, especially when she perfect.
When Laura came out of the bathroom Adam wasn't in the bedroom and his clothes were gone. Sighing she sat down and combed her long hair out. Where did he get off ordering her to get rid of them? What was the big deal? She wasn't regressing. She just wanted to lose a little bit of weight. And now she had.
With a heavy sigh she headed for the kitchen. Pausing in the doorway she stared at the glowering Englishman leaning against the sink, sipping orange juice.
"If you're going to start in on me again you can leave right now," she snapped. Adam set his glass down.
"I don't want to argue with you."
"Good. Then don't," she smirked. Adam crossed to her and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.
"Some day I'll tell you more about my sister. I just don't want you to end up like her. And those cursed diet pills started it all for her."
Laura looked up at him.
"Adam, I'm not a fool and I'm not as young as I used to be. I know what I'm doing."
"I hope you do. And you won't hear another word about it, I promise."
"Good," she kissed him lightly. "So was that our first fight?"
"Seems like it." he said cheerfully, smoothing back her damp hair.
"So people say the best part is making up."
"Where's Trixie?" he asked.
"With Adrian I think."
Adam scooped her into his arms, causing her to burst in to laughter.
"What are you doing?"
"Showing you why people say making up is the best part," he smiled and carried her towards the bedroom.
* * *
Adam had Naida Manning checked out and told Laura if she wanted to, go ahead join the network.
"They have a huge website and my people checked her out thoroughly. It could boost your clientele terrifically." he told her over the phone a few days later. The trial had occupied so much of their time he had forgotten about the offer.
"Great. I'll call her back today."
"She operates out of Boulder but everyone in the network is top notch. She's even planning to expand to California."
"And there is no one else for wedding cakes?"
"There's a couple but this woman is smart, she's realized over the years that people like options. You'll be the fourth caterer in the network, but even if people don't go with the company, you give them a good experience and they recommend you. Your name will be very widely mentioned."
"You think is should do it?"
"I certainly would, my love. Nothing but good can come of it."
"Ok then. I will." Laura grinned to herself. Hopefully she would have to hire more assistants soon. She and Adam and Adrian had been talking about expanding into a full catering business. If business kept going this good, it would be a realistic possibility.
