His astonishing reply: “We’ll talk when you get home.”

I saw lights flashing in front of my eyes but I still managed to snap, “Oh no we won’t. We’re never talking again. Anything I left in your house you can give to a charity shop.”

“Seriously, I want to talk about this, it’s just that now’s not a good time.”

“I know now’s not a good time,” I told him. “Reason number two why we’re over. I’m not bloody important enough for you to take the time to listen to me. Reason number one, just in case you’re curious, is that even when you do you don’t actually listen.”

“I listen.”

“Yes? If you listened then why did my father fly to Colorado to have this morning’s infinitely loving father daughter chat?”

“He’s just concerned that you’re not making the right –”

“He’s not concerned about that, Niles. He’s concerned about my access to your trust fund and the cachet he’ll lose when he can’t link his family’s name to yours.”

“That isn’t fair.”

“It’s not only fair, it’s bloody true.”

“You’ve always been too hard on him.”

My vision covered in shiny, sparkling, white lights, I took the phone from my ear, looked at the ceiling and screeched, “Oh my God! Why am I even having this conversation?”

Max’s fingers dug into my hip and he murmured, “Honey.”

Again I didn’t answer Max. I just put the phone back to my ear and said, “We’re over.”

“Who was that?” Niles asked but I didn’t answer him either. I brought my phone down, touched the screen to end the call then threw the phone on the counter with a clatter.

“Nina, please, baby, look at me,” Max entreated putting pressure on my waist but I yanked from his hold, put my fingers to my engagement ring, tugged it off and then hurled it with all my might across the room.

I heard the tinkling sound of its bumpy landing but I simply picked up the phone again.

Max’s hand came to my wrist, circling it with strong fingers and stopping my phone’s progress so I finally looked at him. He looked a contradictory mixture of concerned and amused.

“Duchess, I’m guessin’ he got the message.”

“You’d guess wrong,” I informed him. “Niles doesn’t pay much attention and when he does he hears what he wants to hear. And anyway, I’m not calling him, I’m calling my mother.”

Max gave me a look, squeezed my wrist and then released it, muttering, “I’ll make coffee.”

“I’ll take mine with a shot of tequila,” I snapped and watched him press his lips together and move away.

Then I touched and slid my finger on the screen on my phone until I found Mom and then pressed to connect.

She answered on the second ring. “You’re an early bird today.”

“Dad was just here.”

There was complete silence.

Then a screeched, “What?”

“Yes. He. Was. Just. Here. Spreading his goodwill and love all around Max’s entryway. It’s a wonder there aren’t cherubs flying around sprinkling rose petals and rainbows erupting through the windows, an aftermath of his delightful visit.”

I heard the sink go off and then Max’s chuckle.

I turned to glare at him. He grinned at me then opened the top of the coffeemaker to pour the water in.

“What was he doing there?” Mom asked.

“Niles called him.”

“Why on earth would he do that?” Mom sounded justifiably flabbergasted.

“I don’t know. Because he’s Niles?” I sounded justifiably irate.

“That’s just… that’s… I don’t even know what that is,” Mom stammered.

“It gets better.”

“Oh no.” Now she sounded anxious.

“Dad said he’s staying in town. He said, ‘this isn’t done’.”

“Oh no.” Now she sounded panicked.

“Oh yes.”

“What are you going to do?” Now she sounded hysterical.

“Well, the hotel is a pretty building, so I’d rather not set explosives.” Max chuckled again and I glared at him again while he flipped the lid down on the coffeemaker and then touched the switch.

“So, with that not being an option, what are you going to do?” Mom asked.

“Ignore him.”

“He’s hard to ignore.”

“Yes, well, by a cruel twist of fate, I am his daughter. Two can play at stubborn.”

Mom was quiet then she said softly, “Sweetie, I’m worried.”

“Why?”

“Because I got that picture.”

“What?”

“The e-mail you sent,” she said. “You look happy and he’s, Max… he’s… well, he’s gorgeous.” No doubt about it, she was right about that. “And, sweetheart, he looks happy too.”

My anger took a hit and warmth started to slide through me.

“Mom –”

“I haven’t seen you look like that…” she paused, “heck, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look like that.”

“Mom –”

“I don’t want your Dad messing that up for you.”

“But –”

“And he will. If he can, he’ll do it.”

“It’ll be okay.”

“You’re sure? Because I’m not so sure.”

“Mom, I really think I made my point this morning.”

“How? Because when that man gets something in his head –”

I was watching Max who’d taken down some mugs and just spied the new sugar bowl. He was grinning at it as he slid it toward him on the counter.

I was seeing this and I wasn’t seeing it. This was because something had locked inside me, something unpleasant and ugly.

“I struck him,” I whispered and Max’s head came up and twisted toward me when he heard my tone.

“Sorry?” Mom asked in my ear but my eyes connected with Max’s.

“I hit him,” I said more to Max than to Mom.

“You hit Lawrence?” Mom asked but I was staring at Max who took two strides across the room to me as I dropped the hand with my phone from my ear.