It Started That Night by Virna Depaul

Author:Virna Depaul [Depaul, Virna]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Suspense
ISBN: 9781459227583
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-05-02T00:26:17+00:00

Chapter 12

Apartment 206. Two days after freaking out in her father’s living room, Lily stared at the numbers on Carmen’s apartment door. Despite her unease at Lily’s request, Dr. Tyler had passed along Lily’s message and Carmen hadn’t responded until this morning. But at least she’d responded and had even offered to cook them dinner tonight.

The door opened and Lily almost reeled back at the sight of her friend, all grown up but looking young and vital in a KAPPA sweatshirt, boxers and droopy sweat socks. Her hair was braided in two low pigtails, adding to the picture of a college coed. Her blue eyes remained steady.

Neither one of them said a word, but Carmen opened the door wider and motioned her inside. She’d been expecting anger or hurt. She’d been hoping for forgiveness. She felt an odd combination of relief and disappointment that she received none of those things.

“Would you like to sit down while I finish the spaghetti sauce?”

“Um—can I help you? Or just watch?”

Carmen nodded and led the way to her small, galley kitchen. She picked up a glass from the counter. “Would you like juice or water? I’m afraid I don’t have anything stronger.”

“Water’s good. Thank you.”

Filling another glass with water, Carmen handed it to her, then stirred something aromatic that simmered on the stovetop. On any other day, the smell of fresh tomatoes, garlic and rosemary would have been comforting. Now it just made her nauseous. The silence was awkward and heavy.

“It’s good to see you,” Lily offered. And she meant it.

Carmen let go of the spoon. Her eyes glazed with tears. The next thing Lily knew, she was squeezed tight in her friend’s arms. She wrapped her arms around Carmen and let out a shaky laugh. “Oh, thank God. I thought you’d be angry I came.”

Carmen pulled back and they smiled at each other. Lily kept hold of her hands, refusing to lose the fragile connection she’d just found again. “So you’re a doctor now?” Lily asked.

“And you’re still an artist. Funny that we both work with kids, isn’t it.”

“Yeah, it is.”

An hour later, Lily sipped coffee, luxuriating in being with her friend again. She’d been grilling her for the past hour and couldn’t seem to get enough information about her. “You never married?”

Carmen’s smile wilted, making Lily instantly tense. “No. I thought I’d found the one but it turned out to be wrong. Again. I’m not sure what happened. Things were good with us until one day Lucas just—” She shook her head. “Let’s not talk about that.” She looked at Lily closely. “You?”

“No.” Lily bit her lip. “I saw your mother. Things between you are better?”

Carmen shrugged. “My mom and I still have issues, but I know she does her best. I know she loves me.”

“And John.”

“Yes. And John. They still have their issues, too. He got it in his head that she didn’t trust him. She thought he’d had something to do with your mom—”

“That’s ridiculous.”

Carmen nodded. “John was devastated.”

“Of course he was.

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