Page 123 of Dangerous Encore

"It's for a clothing site. For their website. I guess it's more of a teaser. It won't be on National TV or anything. Or regional TV. Or any TV,actually."

"Still, it sounds like good work." There's a smile in his voice. He's proudofher.

"Thanks, Dad.Itis."

"You'vebeenbusy?"

"Yeah, really busy. I'm in demand. I've been meaning to call for awhile."

"I'm glad you did. It's good to hear from you. And your mom will be happy to hear yourvoice."

Lacey's shoulders tense. She digs her fingers into the slick cell screen. "Yeah, that willbegood."

Her dad perks. "She misses you. I miss you too. Why has it beensolong?"

She taps her fingers againstherleg.

He continues. "You should come by for dinner. Maybe tomorrow night. We still do the same thing, every Sundaynight."

"Oh yeah?" There's nostalgia in her voice. "What are you makingthistime?"

"Spaghetti andmeatballs."

"With garlic bread?" Her posturesoftens.

"Of course. I can make an extra loafforyou."

"Maybe." She presses her back against my chest. She squeezes my fingers. But she's not really here with me. She's inherhead.

I squeeze her back. I'm tempted to break my promise to play nice, but I resist. This conversation is going about as well as itcould.

"How's your car?" he asks. "Still with theCamry?"

"Yeah, it's still holding together,"shesays.

"Come early Sunday. I'll take a look. When was your last oil change?"heasks.

"Uh…" She squints, racking her brain. "I'm sureitwas—"

"Every threemonths!"

"It was probablySeptember."

"Probably? That's an old car. You need to take careofit."

"I know. I do." Lacey sucks a breath between her teeth. "Listen, Dad, I want to tell yousomething."

"You'repregnant?"

"What? No?" She shakes her headwhat the hell?"No, I… well, I guess it's not that far off. Mal asked me tomarryhim."

His voice is bright. "You'reengaged?"

"Yeah." She fidgets the fingers of her left hand. "He asked me lastnight."

I trace the outline of her engagement ring. I lean in to whisper. "Youokay?"

She nods then speaks into the phone. "He's here actually. Did you want to talktohim?"