Matched For Love(32)
That she’d never mentioned Marcello meant her sister had real feelings for him. “How did we never see you two together in the press if you dated for that long?”
A sad smile spread on Rachel’s lips. “He told everyone I was just one of his many lawyers. And we were careful never to touch each other in public.”
“Well, clearly there was some touching going on in private. What aren’t you telling me? What’s the real reason you’re so afraid to tell him?”
Tears leaked from the corner of her sister’s eyes. “I’m very good friends with one of his real lawyers. When I found out I was pregnant, I asked her what she thought I should do. She’s worked with him for years. She intimated that Marcello has paid for more than one abortion, and he still pays some of the women’s monthly expenses even though there’s no baby. She thinks they’re like mistresses he keeps in different cities or something. So I broke up with him.”
Lori leaned down and laid a kiss on her sister’s temple. “Maybe there’s more to those other women’s stories than we know. You should tell him. Maybe he’ll actually be happy to know he’s going to be a father. Has he tried to call you since the breakup?”
Rachel nodded. “Every day. But I don’t answer. He’d started calling me at work, so I quit and decided to move home. I was tired of that crazy job and had been thinking about making some big changes anyway. He’s stuck on a movie set on the other side of the world for another month. I don’t have to worry about him tracking me down until that’s over.”
Lori’s protective radar went off. “What do you mean tracking you down? Like a stalker?”
“No. He’s angry with me for breaking up with him out of the blue because of our busy schedules. That’s what I’d told him the reason was. He said in his voice mails he’s going to hire someone to find me anyway, so I should just call him back.”
Lori couldn’t decide if that sounded like a man in love or someone dangerous. Unlikely someone that famous would be depraved. “Maybe you should take the call tomorrow. Tell him the truth. You said your due date is in July, but exactly how many weeks along are you?”
“Nine. But the doctor said twins tend to come early, or they often have to take them a little early. I should be prepared for that.” Rachel grabbed Lori’s hand and squeezed. “After watching you and Mom deal with a cheating mate, I refuse to share him with other women. I can’t live with that. And I won’t have our children raised like circus freaks for the paparazzi to harass their whole lives.”
She couldn’t argue about not sharing him, but that wasn’t the biggest problem. Carefree, rule-breaking Rachel didn’t fall in love. She was far too independent for that. She probably feared he didn’t love her back and therefore avoided the discussion.
Lori whispered, “Tell him you love him. You might be in for a very pleasant surprise. Or he might break your heart, but it looks like you’re pretty heartbroken anyway. What’s to lose?”
She slowly shook her head. “I don’t want to be in love with Marcello. I just am, dammit!”
Lori smiled. “Sometimes our hearts have minds of their own.”
“No kidding.” Rachel huffed out a breath. “How about we make a deal? I’ll tell Marcello I love him if you’ll tell Deek how you feel about him.”
“No need. I’m not carrying Deek’s babies.” Lori’s situation was entirely different. She’d known from the beginning that Deek was taken. It was just an unhappy occurrence that her heart hadn’t gotten the memo. “See you later. I have to get ready for my date. And to show you I’m not a member of a convent, maybe I will consider sleeping with Jason.”
Her sister snorted. “I’ll look forward to a full report when you get home at the sensible hour of ten pm, Mother Superior.”
“For your information, the charity ball goes until eleven, smart mouth. Thanks for the clothes.” There was no fooling her sister. Rachel knew Lori would never sleep with Jason on only the second date.
As she walked down the hall to her bedroom, a thought occurred to her and made her stop mid-stride. Sleeping with Jason might actually make all her lovely dreams about being with Deek stop. Then she could finally get a full night’s rest for a change. But sleeping with him would take things to the next level, and she still wasn’t sure she could ever fully trust a man. She’d put such a solid wall up around her heart that she wasn’t sure it’d ever come down all the way.
She needed to get past that fear, but the thought of making another poor decision about a man was daunting at times. But, she’d never get over her fear if she didn’t put herself back out there. And it didn’t have to be anything serious. She could just sleep with him, with no expectations on either side, so her heart would be safe.