Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [99]
‘Can’t do that,’ she said, jumping up.
‘Why not?’
‘’Cause I just can’t, that’s why,’ she said stubbornly. ‘Cookie’s my friend. Gotta help her out.’
‘There goes our one night alone together.’
‘Yeah, bummer,’ she said, trying desperately to sound as if she cared. ‘Only since I didn’t know you were coming, I made plans. Big deal.’
‘You an’ your plans,’ he said, throwing her a look.
‘Gotta go get changed,’ she said quickly. ‘We’re leaving soon.’
‘You’re expecting me to come too?’
‘Well, yeah. Unless you wanna sit around here on your own.’
‘No thanks.’
‘I’ll be right out,’ she said, heading for the bedroom.
Damnit! Ace knew her pretty well – did he sense that things were different? That she’d changed? That she’d given it up to someone else?
Oh man! She hoped not.
But she couldn’t worry about it now. Later would do.
* * *
By the time Bobby got back to the hotel, Denver had closed her laptop, and was preparing for the romantic evening Bobby had promised her. Just the two of them, no distractions. She was looking forward to it, because maybe it was time to have The Talk, figure out where they were headed. He’d spoken about buying a house in L.A. for them to move in together. Was it the right time to say yes? Had they reached that stage in their relationship?
It was an exciting and scary thought, especially as he still hadn’t met her family.
And yet . . . they were so close, and she knew that she loved him, so why wait?
Or was she mistaking love for lust?
They certainly hit it off in the bedroom. The sex was incredible. He was incredible.
Stop holding back, she told herself. You do love him, and it’s time to let go and trust that he loves you too. So go for it.
Yes. Tonight was the night. No more insecurities.
When Bobby arrived back, she ran over to greet him, threw her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear – ‘Guess what? I really missed you.’
‘You did?’ he responded. ‘Thought you didn’t need babysitting.’
‘I don’t. Only that doesn’t mean I didn’t miss you. And, I can’t wait for dinner – where are you taking me?’
‘Yeah,’ he said hesitantly. ‘About our romantic dinner for two.’
‘What about it?’
‘It’s uh . . . kinda turned into dinner for four.’
‘You’re kidding?’
‘Sorry, babe, but M.J. really needs us, and there’s no way I can let him down.’
‘Seriously?’ she said, disappointed.
‘M.J. has a problem.’
‘What kind of problem?’
‘I didn’t tell you before ’cause I figured he and Cassie would work it out, but it’s big.’
‘Didn’t they just get married?’
‘Almost a year ago, and here’s the deal – she’s pregnant and wants to get an abortion, but M.J.’s against it all the way.’
Bobby then proceeded to tell her the full story about M.J. and the girl he’d knocked up in high school.
Denver listened in silence, then finally said, ‘I don’t see how having dinner with us is going to help their situation.’
‘It’s a support thing,’ Bobby explained. ‘He’s trying to tell Cassie that if she gets rid of the baby their marriage is over.’
‘Surely that’s pretty harsh?’
‘Maybe, but it’s the way he feels.’
‘And is the way he feels the only thing that matters?’
‘No, but—’
‘How old is Cassie?’ Denver interrupted.
‘I dunno. Maybe a year or so older than Max.’
‘Maybe that’s the reason she isn’t ready to have a baby now. It’s frightening for her. She’s so young – and having a baby is a huge responsibility.’
‘I understand. But M.J. is entitled to feel the way he does.’
‘Of course he is. But surely he’s prepared to listen to what she wants? Her needs are just as important as his.’
‘Like I told you, sweetheart, M.J. had a life-changing experience that turned him against abortion. He doesn’t believe in it.’
‘Do you?’ she asked, suddenly realizing that she didn’t know as much about Bobby as she thought she did.
He shrugged. ‘Dunno,’ he answered carefully, because it struck him as a loaded question. ‘Never really thought about it. Unless you find yourself in that situation it’s difficult to say.’
‘Interesting,’ Denver said, giving him a long hard look.
‘Interesting how?’ he said, knowing they were venturing