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Chapter Eighteen

"Yes, Cameron," Elizabeth said huskily.

"Stay with daddy tonight. I'll pick you up after school tomorrow. T — tell Emily and Nikolas goodnight for me, please."

She turned hurriedly away from Jason and Cameron before she could no longer contain her tears.

She hated being so tearful. It made her feel weak and inept. Hormones, she reminded herself as she hurried out to her car, pulling her jacket on as she went. It had to be hormones making her so emotional. So unequipped to handle the mess in which she'd suddenly found herself.

Watching Elizabeth tear out of the house like the devil was at her heels, Jason frowned. She'd been pale and quiet throughout supper, casting him surreptitious looks when she'd thought he hadn't been looking.

He'd figured she was trying to come up with a way to break the news that she and A.J. were already planning their future. But just now, when he'd brought it out into the open, she'd looked as white and shaky as she had when she'd passed out into A.J.'s arms the other day.

The realization had him on his feet. What if she fainted while she was driving back home?

No, not home. To the apartment that she was currently staying in.

Nikolas came into the room.

"Did I hear Elizabeth leave?"

"Yeah." Jason leaned over Cameron.

"You mind staying here with Emily and Nikolas for a bit?"

Cameron, who was once again thoroughly occupied with the computerized toy, shrugged. "You gonna go get Mom?"

Jason didn't know how to answer that one.

"I'm gonna make sure she gets home okay," he finally settled for.

The windows of Elizabeth's apartment were dark. If it weren't for the sight of her car parked near the back door, Jason would have thought she wasn't there.

He threw his truck in park and pushed open the door. It had started to snow again. He headed toward the door, stopping short when it unexpectedly opened. A.J., head down and hands shoved in his pockets, strode around the side of the building and disappeared from sight.

Jason caught the gleam of Elizabeth's gilded curls as she stood in the doorway. His half-brother hadn't noticed him, but Elizabeth sure in hell did. In the faint light shining from behind her, he saw her stiffen and begin to shut the door.

His boot stopped its progress.

She didn't fight him. Merely turned away.

He pushed open the door and followed her inside. He found her sitting in the kitchen, arms folded tightly around her slender body. She didn't speak. Just tossed her wild mane of curls behind her shoulders and looked at him in the dim light.

"Where did A.J. go?"

He heard her sigh faintly. "A.J. Always A.J.," she murmured.

"To Harmony, I imagine."

"What for?"

Her lips pressed together for a moment.

"Because that's where his on-and-off fiancée lives . . . "

To be continued...

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