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Yes, Dee said, they are.
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He looked up to find both women looking at him. Blushing, he stood and
went into the bathroom. Dee followed Holly into the kitchen. Are you okay?
she asked.
Yeah, I guess so considering.
Did you tell Ed?
Holly groaned. No, not yet.
If you like, I can go to the office for an hour then come back here and hang
out. You know, we can just talk or go to the movies whatever you want to do.
No. Thanks anyway. I know that whatever I decide, I m not alone. I have
Ed.
Dee stepped close, wrapping her in an embrace. And you have me.
And I have you, Holly said, hugging her back.
A few minutes later, Ben and Dee were seated at the breakfast table. Holly was
in her bedroom getting ready.
Do you guys always rise with the chickens? Ben asked Dee, scooping eggs
into his mouth.
Only during the week, she said.
He leaned across the table and brushed his lips against her cheek. Taking her
hand, he said, I want you to meet my family. Dee looked at him as if he were
speaking a foreign language. Dee? He said, squeezing her hand.
Ah, really?
Yes, my mother and sister are all I have, and you re very important to me. I
want the three women in my life to meet. She stared at him, not knowing what
to say. Would you? he asked.
Uh, when?
Saturday morning, if you re available.
Dee looked down at her cup and then back at Ben. Saturday is good for me.
Great. He smiled.
After he d left, she closed the front door, resting her forehead against it. Then she
let the panic wash over her. Holly! she yelled. Holly came running from her
bedroom, fear in her eyes and voice.
What? What s wrong?
Dee plopped herself down in the armchair and moaned. He wants me to
meet his family.
What? Girl, you scared the hell out of me. I thought it was something terri-
ble.
Dee rested her forehead on her knees. Oh my gosh! What am I going to do?
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You re going to meet his family what s the problem?
The problem is that he s white and I m not.
So?
Dee looked at Holly. You re kidding, right? Come on. You are one of the
most caring people I know, and look at what you re going through. At least half
of Edmond s family hates you. I don t think I could take that.
Look, Dee, I ve been with Edmond for more than two years. Sure, I want his
family to like me especially his sister Karen but neither of us is going to let
anyone come between us. That s how much we love each other.
But Hol, I don t know if I m strong enough.
Look, sweetie, Holly said, sitting on the arm of the chair. You really like
Ben I can tell so just follow your heart. I know he cares about you, I think
even more than you realize. Everything will work out.
6' 6' 6' 6'
Ben walked into his condo and headed straight for the bedroom. When he
reached the door, he froze. Something wasn t right: he never closed the bedroom
door. His mind rushed to the fight he had had with Maurice. He debated open-
ing the door, and possibly walking into an ambush, or calling the cops. He put
his hand on the knob, bracing himself, and turned it. Quietly, he pushed the
door open. Janet was sitting on the middle of the bed, naked.
What the hell are you doing here?
I m waiting for you, she purred.
Janet, you need to go home.
I ve been waiting for you all night, she said sleepily. Where have you been?
He looked over his shoulder. Seeing her clothes lying on the chair, he picked
them up and tossed them to her.
Put your clothes on, he said, walking to the closet to select a suit.
You were with your whore, weren t you? she spat at him.
How the hell did you get in here anyway? he asked, his back still to her.
The doorman knows me. After all, I have been in your bed for months.
I m going to have to talk to them about that, Ben thought to himself.
He turned to her. For Christ s sake, Janet, give it a rest. His tone then
became harsher. We are not together! We will never be together! He took a
deep breath, trying to calm down. Then, speaking softly, he said, Janet, don t do
this. Just go home. Please.
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She sat staring at him for a moment, and then she grabbed her clothes, shoved
them in her overnight bag, and put her coat on over her nude body.
Ben, I m not going to give up on us that easily.
Damn it, Janet. There is no us, he said as she left the room.
C H A P T E R 9
After parking his car, Ben got out and walked up the steps and into Meyers Inves-
tigation. He saw Chris and Dee standing by Kimmy s desk and strolled casually
to where they stood. Hello, sweetheart, he said, giving her a quick kiss and
caressing her cheek.
Hey, she said, smiling.
Hello, Chris, Ben greeted him.
Hey, how have you been?
Good. Yourself?
No complaints. So, Dee, this Evans guy meets her at this place across from
where she works, he continued. The last couple of times, they went into the
men s room.
Dee nodded. Did you follow up on that lead we talked about yesterday?
I was heading out to do that now unless you want me to come with you.
No, she said, I can handle this. That lead is really important.
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