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if he is still trying to get you to talk to him.
116 Eve Vaughn & Shara Azod
 Or maybe he's one of those types who can't stand not being the center of everyone's
attention. It doesn't matter anyway; I'll be out of here soon enough. I'll be down this weekend to
start looking at places for rent until I can find something more permanent.
 You know I have plenty of room. I don't know why you have to get a place of your own.
She really didn't think that was a good idea. Her relationship with her mother might be on
the mend, but Lydia didn't want to push her luck.  I've been on my own too long to move in with
my mother.
 With a baby on the way, you need to think about saving money. Trust me. Kids are
expensive.
 I'll think about it. It was all she could give her mother at the moment. There were so
many things she needed to sort out, but she was just too tired to get into it right now. After
promising her mother she'd call again soon, Lydia sank down into her plush couch, trying to
block out the world. She felt drained; maybe a quick nap would help.
She groaned as someone continuously pounded on her door. It seemed like Ryder had
gotten his second wind and was back to torment her a little more. She honestly couldn't
understand him. If all he wanted was to cross cultural lines, there were plenty of other women
who'd be all too happy to do that for him.
Why he was fixated on her was a mystery. She really didn't need any more of his lies. She
had enough on her plate. With resolve she didn't have earlier when he had cornered her, she
stomped over to the door, determined to give him a true piece of her mind now that they were
away from the office. How dare he think he could talk about her like she was less than he was
and expect to crawl back into her bed? She might still love him, heaven help her, but she
wouldn't be his fool.
 Why don't you just leave me alone? she barked before her face turned hot as she saw
who had been pounding. This was the last person she had expected. Ryder had sent his little
sister after her? What was with this family anyway?
 Wow, and here I thought we got along pretty well. Mickey offered her a sunny smile that
was impossible to resist.  May I come in, or am I banished like my brother?
Lydia didn't want to have a conversation with Mickey. She was part of this whole thing,
and Lydia's pride was in the dirt. Lydia didn't think she would ever be able to honestly say she
was over Ryder, but she couldn't take any more of the push and pull. Plus, she felt like stir-fried
shit right now. The term  morning sickness was grossly mislabeled. It was more like morning,
noon, and night sickness, as far as she could tell. The last thing she wanted or needed was
Ryder's sister pleading his case.
 This won't take long. Mickey pushed her way into Lydia's condo.  Plus, I brought
margarita mix and some to-die-for steak nachos. We can have some girl talk and stuff our faces.
As Mickey walked past her, the aroma of fresh Mexican food wafted up, hitting Lydia
square in the face. Her stomach rebelled almost instantly. She tried choking down the sickness
threatening to overwhelm her. Lydia moved quickly to the side, waving a hand in front of her
face. It didn't work. She felt the upheaval and knew there wasn't a thing she could do to keep it
down.
 Excuse me, I  She couldn't finish. Lydia made a beeline for the bathroom, where she
promptly lost her lunch.
Hostile Takeover 117
 Lydia, are you okay? Mickey was right there behind her; thankfully she'd put the food
down somewhere.  Are you sick? Can I do anything?
 I'm fine. Lydia waved the woman away, rinsing out her mouth and splashing some cool
water on her face. She knew from experience, now that she'd given up the contents of her
stomach, she would feel downright chipper for a little while. And hungry. Just not for Mexican
food, and the margaritas were a definite no-no.  Just give me a second and I'll be right out.
 Oh. Okay, sure.
Lydia didn't need to look at Mickey to see the other woman was confused and more than a
little suspicious. She probably thought Lydia was on drugs. Given the way Ryder and her parents
had sounded, it was something they would all expect. Squaring her shoulders, she marched back
into her small living room. Mickey had made herself right at home. Two heaping plates full of
nachos were waiting on the coffee table, alongside two tall margaritas. She'd never cared for the
mixed kind, preferring the frozen ones more, but she couldn't drink it anyway.
 Uh, thanks, but I can't don't drink. Lydia frantically searched for a plausible reason.
 I'm, uh, trying to lose weight.
Mickey looked at her oddly but seemed to accept the excuse. Patting the sofa, the
vivacious blonde grinned broadly.  We don't need alcohol to have a little girl talk. Come on. I
promise I won't bite. So what's been going on with you lately?
Lydia's head began to pound. She so didn't need this right now. All she wanted to do was
take a little nap. Eyeing the nachos, she was mildly surprised they no longer made her feel sick.
In fact, they looked kind of delicious, and she was suddenly starving. Shrugging, she sat,
allowing Mickey to put the plate in her lap. The thick, juicy strips of steak looked so good. Lydia
starting downing the food before she realized what she was doing.
 Guess I was hungrier than I thought, she offered upon seeing Mickey's bemused stare.
 So do you want to talk about it? Mickey didn't beat around the bush, but didn't come
right out and say it either.
A fresh wave of anger washed over Lydia. What was wrong with Ryder? Why send his
sister? Hadn't he done enough? Lydia put the plate down and faced Mickey head-on. The quicker
this was over, the quicker she could get some sleep. Games were one thing she didn't have time
for.
 What is it with your family? Lydia demanded.  I really don't get it. What more could
Ryder possibly want? I would have thought he'd be glad I walked away on my own and didn't
take anything from his house or cause a scene when he was done playing around.
 Oh man, you heard Phil and Liz, didn't you?
Lydia blinked at the other woman. Phil and Liz? Not Mom and Dad?
 Yeah, I heard them, all right, Lydia muttered, looking away. Tears she had been forcing
back all day burned in her eyes. She couldn't afford to let them fall now. She leaned back against
the cushions and closed her eyes, working on getting a hold on her emotions. It was hell having
to do this all the time. All it took was a freaking commercial, and she was bawling like a baby
these days.  Look, it doesn't matter. Ryder and I are over. They should be happy. And not once
did I manage to bring my homies over to rip him off.
118 Eve Vaughn & Shara Azod
She knew she sounded bitter, but damn it, Ryder's sister had invaded her home. Mickey [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]