Read Online Almost Perfect by Susan Mallery - Free Book Online Page A

to do with me or Tyler. That I should keep away from him and Fool’s Gold. I’m having the letter sent overnight and it will be here tomorrow. I’m happy to give you a copy.”
    Liz reached for the door and pulled it open. “So if you’ve only come here to insult me or accuse me of everything from being a whore to tricking your precious son, then I’m done with this conversation.”
    â€œI have a lot more to say.”
    â€œThis may be a crappy little house, Denise, but it belongs to my family, not yours. I’m asking you to leave.”
    Denise hesitated. She had dark eyes like her son. Like Tyler. Emotions flashed through them.
    â€œHe told me about the letter,” Denise said grudgingly. “Ethan may not want to believe Rayanne lied to him, but it sounds exactly like her. If there was a problem she didn’t want to face, she avoided it. You having Ethan’s son would have been a big problem.”
    Was that a peace offering? Like it or not, this woman was Tyler’s grandmother.
    Liz crossed to her laptop and hit a few keys, then she turned the computer so the screen faced Denise.
    The older woman’s mouth dropped open. Color bled away and her eyes widened. She stared greedily at the slide show Liz had started. All the pictures were of Tyler.
    â€œHe looks just like Ethan did when he was young. Like all my boys.” Her breath caught. “His smile is different.”
    â€œIt’s mine.”
    Denise glanced at her, then back at the computer. “He’s eleven?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThis changes everything.”
    Liz didn’t know if she meant the fact that they now knew about Tyler, or the fairly obvious proof he was a Hendrix. “I know you don’t believe me, but I never wanted to keep Tyler from his father. I did try to tell him. The first time was a poor effort, but the second, I really thought he knew.”
    â€œI believe you,” Denise said slowly. “But I can’t help being angry. We can’t get back all the time that was lost.”
    Liz thought about pointing out that Ethan had been the one to sleep with her, to take her virginity, promise to love her forever, then dump her. That when she’d run, he hadn’t bothered to come after her. It was as if she’d never mattered at all.
    â€œAre you going to keep him from us?” Denise asked, sounding both defiant and afraid.
    â€œNo. I never wanted that. My life with Tyler wasn’t about punishing anyone. He would like to have a big family.”
    â€œHe could have had one all along,” Denise snapped.
    â€œAnd your son could have been more responsible.”
    â€œDon’t bring Ethan into this.”
    â€œRight. Because I got pregnant all on my own. That whole slut thing, right?”
    Denise pressed her lips together. “No. That’s not what I meant. I’m sorry.”
    â€œI appreciate that, but I have things to do.” The door was still open. Liz glanced toward it. “We can continue this another time,” she elaborated. “After I talk to Ethan.”
    Denise hesitated, then nodded and left.
    Liz closed the door and leaned against it. Talk about a tough twenty-four hours, and it wasn’t over yet.
    Â 
    E XACTLY AT SIX , E THAN KNOCKED on Liz’s front door. Her SUV was still in the driveway. He’d checked on it a couple times during the day. Not that he actually thought she would leave, but he wanted to be sure.
    The door opened and Liz stood there, glaring at him. “Right on time,” she snapped. “Probably because you’re so damn rested, having sent your mother to take care of things for you.”
    She looked good. All fire and temper, her green eyes flashing. He was caught up in the sight of the freckles he’d remembered. In the dark, he’d been unable to see them, but now he could count them easily. So it took a second for her words to register.
    â€œMy