Second Time Around by Katherine Allred Read Free Book Online Page A

solution where he’s concerned.”
    Quinn could see the “no” trembling on her lips and interrupted before she could utter it. “You don’t have to give me an answer right now. Think about it. You may even want to talk to your lawyer first.”
    “Why are you doing this? I don’t understand! In Chicago you were all ready to hop the next plane out to get that divorce.”
    3“That was before I knew about Zack.” He lifted his hands and massaged his temples. “But Zack isn’t the only reason. Maybe you’re right. Maybe we would have ended up getting the divorce anyway. However, I’d like to know for sure that it’s our decision, not something we were tricked into. Thanks to Edward, we’ve lost five years.
    Will three more months make that much difference?”
    He hesitated, and when he spoke again his voice had softened. “We were best friends for a long time, Lanie. There wasn’t anything we couldn’t talk about, no problem so big we couldn’t handle it together. I’ve missed my friend. If nothing else, I’d like her back. Give us the chance to work this out. For our sakes, and for Zack’s.”
    Her eyes squeezed shut for an instant before she looked at him again. “This is blackmail, you know.”
    “I know.”
    “But you’re going to do it anyway, aren’t you?”
    “I’ll do anything I have to do.” He smiled. “I’m no gentleman, remember?”
    She jammed her hands into her front pockets and looked down at the floor, to all appearances icy calm. But he knew her too well not to recognize the signs of inner turmoil. The tightened mouth, the stubborn set to her chin, the stiff shoulders.
    Suddenly she looked up. “You’re right. I need time to think about this, and I need to talk to Sara.”
    The sound of Duncan’s deep voice followed by Zack’s giggles drifted through the tightly closed door and Quinn stood.
    “Sara?”
    “Sara Carson. You should remember her. She’s my lawyer now.”
    “I remember her.” He moved to the door. “Just let me know what you decide. I’m going to put my things in one of the guest rooms upstairs, and then I want to start getting acquainted with my son.”
    * * * * *
    Lanie waited until the door closed behind him, then moved around the desk and collapsed onto the chair, burying her face in both hands. Damn him. He knew exactly what buttons to push where she was concerned. The truth was, she had missed their friendship as much as he claimed to, had grieved over its loss.
    She’d lost count of the times she’d turned to share something with him, had reached for the phone to call him before she remembered he wasn’t there for her anymore. As much as she loved Jared, she hadn’t been able to bring herself to let him get that close. True, they had been friends first, but not the kind of friendship she’d had with Quinn.
    Jared. Dear God, he was coming over tonight. Lanie reached for the phone. He wouldn’t be home this time of the day, but she could leave a message.
    3Waiting for his recorded voice to end, she began. “Jared, there’s been a change of plans. Instead of you coming over tonight, I’ll drop by your house after I get Zack in bed.” She rubbed her eyes. “I need to talk you. Quinn is here, Jared, and I don’t know what to do.” A sigh escaped her. “I’ll tell you about it when I see you. I love you.”
    She dropped the phone into the cradle, waited a beat, then picked it up and dialed another number.
    “Doris? It’s Lanie McAllister. Is Sara in?”
    “Hi, Lanie,” the motherly voice replied. “No, I’m sorry. She’s in court this afternoon. Can I give her a message for you?”
    “Please. Will you ask her if she can meet me at Jared’s tonight? About eight. Tell her it’s very important, Doris.”
    “You bet I will. Is it anything I might help with?”
    “Thanks, but I’m afraid not.”
    She hung up and stared fixedly out the window. How was she going to tell Jared that Quinn wanted to give their marriage another chance? It was