Lucky Break

family felt.

He straightened his tie. “I’ve accepted the curse and its repercussions. I don’t let it rule my life, nor do I worry about it much.” He let his gaze slide from hers.

Liar, she thought, though she felt no anger at Jason’s father. She’d always known about the wedge between the two families. As a teenager, she’d been content to push boundaries and disobey family rules and expectations. As an adult, she saw clearly how other people could be affected by her actions. Corwins and Perkinses were not meant to be together. Another reason to keep her emotions in check with Jason this time around.

“My take is a little different,” Gabrielle chimed in. “I think anyone born in the twentieth century has to realize that free choice plays a role in everyone’s lives.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she spoke. “There’s no doubt this family’s had its share of tragedy, but much of it can be traced to poor judgment and the expectation of problems.”

Hank let out a groan. “My daughter-in-law likes to think there’s no such thing as a curse, just like your grandma used to think the town of Perkins could be ruled by it.” He pointed to Lauren with his fork, then continued to eat.

He seemed to be the only one with an appetite. At his words, Lauren lost hers completely.

“Uncle Hank!”

“Dad!”

Jason and Derek yelled at the older man at the same time.

“Relax!” Hank continued to wield his fork as a tool for discussion. “I just want to know what the young lady thinks, that’s all.” Once again he ran a hand through his already messy hair.

“It’s rude,” Jason said, his hand squeezing tighter around Lauren’s.

Hank frowned. “She asked what we thought. I’m just returning the favor. And considering she’s a Perkins, I think it’s a legitimate question.” He eased back in his seat, annoyed at being reprimanded.

Lauren had rarely experienced family dinners as a child, so this entire situation seemed surreal. Adding the curse to the conversation merely increased her discomfort.

Her own family could define the word dysfunction, so she didn’t want to judge the Corwins. But that didn’t mean she needed to sit here and feel isolated and attacked.

She slowly placed her napkin on the table and looked at Hank Corwin head-on. “I’m not sure why I was included in this family gathering and I’m definitely not comfortable,” she said, opting for honesty. “But since you asked, I’ll tell you what I think.”

Jason pushed his chair back and stood. “No you won’t. This isn’t an inquisition. You’re a guest. We came to hear my father’s so-called plan for his brother. We heard it. Now we can leave if this line of conversation is going to continue.” He glared at his uncle.

Lauren shook her head, tugging his hand, urging him to sit. “It’s fine. I want to clear the air.”

If the Corwins couldn’t accept her, so be it. It wasn’t as though she was staying in this town for long anyway.

Gabrielle pushed her plate forward. “Jason’s right. This is ridiculous. You were invited because you’re a friend of Jason’s and you’re new in town. Derek and I thought we’d be welcoming you. Not interrogating you,” she said pointedly.

Gabrielle was genuine and warm and Lauren relaxed, realizing this generation of Corwins at least didn’t hold a grudge. She couldn’t say as much for the older one, and though she knew she shouldn’t care, she did. Because one of the men still watching her uneasily was Jason’s father.

Lauren met Gabrielle’s warm gaze, finding it easier to focus on the welcoming members of this family. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do. And I understand the curse is something that exists-in theory for some, in reality for others. But as for me, I don’t believe in it.”

“Well, I suppose everyone’s entitled to their opinion,” Hank muttered.

“That’s very generous of you, Dad,” Derek said, scowling. “I’m also glad you’re here, Lauren. And I wouldn’t worry about Uncle Edward’s reaction. If he has a setback, then he hasn’t come as far as we’d hoped. But no one is to blame.”

“And no one’s harebrained scheme is going to push him into Clara’s open arms,” Jason said.

Thomas stared at his plate, then mumbled something Lauren couldn’t hear.

“Excuse me?” Jason asked. Obviously he couldn’t understand his father, either.

“I said I’ll take Edward’s reaction into consideration before I decide what to do.”

He’d probably said something more colorful than that, Lauren thought.

“Good. Now can we put these subjects to rest and enjoy our meal?” Jason asked.

“As long as you know I’m going to do everything I can do for my brother,” Thomas said, stubborn as ever.

“Does that include picking up the pieces for Clara after Edward retreats so far into himself no one can get him back?” Jason’s voice was brittle and angry.

“Low blow, son. That’s not at all what I had in mind. I’ll do what I need to do.” With that pronouncement, Thomas picked up his knife and fork and dug into his food with gusto.

Hank joined him.

Lauren had a hunch neither she nor Jason, Derek or Gabrielle tasted their food. The prospect of how Thomas’s actions would affect Edward lay on everyone’s mind.

JASON WALKED Lauren to her front door, frustrated and angry at his father and uncle. The evening hadn’t gone well and Jason blamed himself. He’d thought that to keep Lauren comfortable, no one would broach the subject of the curse. He’d miscalculated and she’d paid the price.

He leaned his shoulder against the door and looked at her. “I’m sorry about tonight. If I’d known they couldn’t behave, I never would have suggested we go there for dinner.”

Lauren’s cheeks flushed pink. From the cold or embarrassment? She shrugged, her shoulders as stiff as they’d been for most of the meal.

“It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have agreed to go. Your father and your uncle are too much a part of my grandmother’s generation to accept me with open arms. I really like Derek and Gabrielle though.”

He relaxed a little, realizing she was more rational about things than he’d been. “I’m glad. Derek’s been through a lot and even he believed in the stupid curse for a while, but he has Gabrielle to set him straight now. He’s happy and I’m glad.”

She pulled the key from her jacket pocket.

Taking the hint, he stepped away from the door and she inserted the key in the lock. “Well, thank you for a nice evening,” she said, her voice neutral.

Her emotional walls were up.

He didn’t blame her, but he wasn’t about to allow her to keep those barriers high.

“Which part was nice exactly? The part where my uncle grilled you?” he asked, unable to control his sarcasm as he positioned himself in front of her, preventing her from pushing the door open and slipping inside. “Or was it the part when we made love earlier? Was that just nice?”

He reached out and grabbed her forearm, intentionally baiting her, wanting to see some reaction beyond that cool facade she’d erected. She obviously intended to leave him at the front door, but he wasn’t going without a fight.

From the moment he’d extended an invitation to his father’s, she’d drawn a not-so-invisible line meant to remind him they weren’t seriously involved.

“I don’t know what you want to hear.”

He pulled her close and covered her lips with his, kissing her hard until her mouth softened and she willingly let him in. Winding her hands around his neck, she urged him close, telling him with her body everything she’d been unable or unwilling to admit. His pulse pounded and adrenaline surged through his veins, desire and the urge to conquer stronger than anything he’d experienced before, including the rush before or right after a race.

He wanted her to know they weren’t through. To remind her she didn’t want them to be over just yet. Even if he did intend to respect her need for time alone.

Having made his point, he gently lowered her arms until she faced him, her breath coming in short, uneven gasps.

“Why did you stop?” There was a yearning in her eyes he found difficult to deny.

Reaching out, he traced his finger over her damp lips. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he said gruffly, surprised he