Read Online Where There's Smoke by M. J. Fredrick - Free Book Online Page B

shield her from this.
    She shook her head, never taking her eyes off her parents. “I want to be here, just in case."
    "Just in case what?” But he knew. To step between.
    "Lauren, you've always been between your parents,” he said softly so no one else heard. “Let them work this out on their own."
    She shot him a look that said she didn't like that, but if he couldn't say it, who could? Still, he softened the blow. “You can't take care of everybody. I'm sure they'll behave like grown ups."
    "You've seen him, Seth. He's so hurt. I can't believe she'd come."
    Seth shifted, glanced around them, wishing they had more privacy to talk. He'd always known she sided with her father no matter what. The two women didn't see eye to eye. He wondered if Lauren knew Valerie had never loved Mitch one hundred percent.
    "I'm sorry.” Mitch's voice carried down the table. “Am I crowding you?"
    The sarcasm in his tone as he spoke to Valerie silenced the conversation in the room. Seth turned to see Valerie's face was drawn as she tried to ignore her husband. He also noted the two empty margarita glasses in front of Mitch. Aw, hell. He hadn't taken that into consideration, and he bet his mother hadn't either. Why hadn't he gotten Lauren out of here earlier?
    He reached over beneath the table and squeezed her knee. She was as taut as a bowstring. Maybe if no one paid attention to the Stokeses, Lauren wouldn't suffer as much. Problem was, no one was talking. He took a deep breath.
    "So, Crystal,” he said to his sister, who sat approximately twenty feet away. “How are the plans for the honeymoon?"
    The plans had been set the day after Enrique proposed, but he saw by the relief in her eyes she realized what he was doing. “Oh, I can't wait. We have the hotel right on the beach, and it's a resort, with everything we need. We never have to leave the resort if we don't want to."
    Seth rewarded her comment with a whistle and Crystal simpered. He risked a glance at the Stokeses. Valerie was doing her best to look less miserable, trying to smile at Crystal's enthusiasm.
    Mitch ordered another margarita. “Doesn't matter if you have a honeymoon or not,” he said, inspecting one of the empty glasses as if looking for a remaining drop of tequila. “Doesn't matter if you're married for thirty years. You can't make someone love you."
    "Dad!” Lauren said sharply.
    He blinked, set down the glass as Valerie rose. “I shouldn't have come,” she murmured, and Seth hoped he was the only one to see the longing look she gave Oscar.
    "Of course you shouldn't have. They're my friends,” Mitch said.
    "Mitch, that's enough,” Sandra said in the same tone Lauren had used. “Of course she's welcome. She's still a part of this family, whether you like it or not."
    "I'm leaving,” Valerie said, circling the table to embrace Sandra, then Crystal. As always when he witnessed such a display, Seth's stomach clenched. “I wish you every happiness,” she said to Crystal. “I know it's possible."
    Mitch waited till she left before he leaned across the table to Crystal, eyes moist. “I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to ruin your party."
    Crystal merely blinked and nodded, her expression solemn. Mitch looked at her a moment longer, then stood. “I should go, too."
    The sound of the chair scraping back beside him startled Seth, as Lauren stood, too. He grabbed her hand again and looked up at her. “You don't need to go."
    She inclined her head in her father's direction. “I can't let him drive. I'll see you tomorrow."
    He watched, helpless, as she said goodnight and collected her father before going downstairs.
    "Why do you let her get the better of you?” Lauren asked unlocking her car for her father.
    "Habit,” he muttered. “She always has. That was part of the appeal."
    "You've got to be kidding."
    He dropped into the passenger seat. “I made an ass of myself, didn't I?"
    "In front of the whole Escamilla family.” She shoved the key in the