Bedmates Soulmates

Kira was stunned.

Could he really hear that?

Even Giana didn't notice Kira had cried.

She had kept her chin up in front of Helen, but she burst into tears almost as soon as she fled into the stairwell.

It wasn't easy to cut ties with your own mother.

Helen was right; Kira was a bit of a Pollyanna.

Every time Helen approached her, Kira had hoped that maybe this time, her mother didn't come with an agenda.

Maybe they could have a pleasant talk.

Maybe Helen would ask how Dad was doing.

But the outcome was the same every time.

Kira would get her hopes up, only to suffer the crushing weight of disappointment.

She'd hidden in the stairwell and cried her eyes out

She Must Be Someone Special

'I didn't cry," she said into the phone. "You must have heard wrong!

Austyn was busy.

She shouldn't bother him with her trivial family drama.

Austyn heard the denial in her voice but didn't want to argue with her duer the phone.

He would see for himself soon enough

*After dinner, go home and wait up for me, okay?

Deborah's fork clattered to the plate.

It produced a loud clang

'Sorry,' she apologised.

"What's that sound? Kira asked. "Aren't you at the office?'

Austyn sucked in a deep breath. "No,"

"Are you outside?"

"With a woman?' Kira couldn't help raising her voice

She'd heard the woman's apology,

"Yes," Austyn said.

You have time to keep another woman company but not your own wife!"

'It's not what you think"

'Then what is it? Is she a client?

+

"No." Austyn cleared his throat. "A friend."

"Have I met this friend before?

Kira racked her brain.

She'd only ever met Austyn's male friends before, like Captain O'Neill and Doctor Chase.

'I don't think so."

An idea suddenly occurred to her. 'Is this the old friend you mentioned last night?"

Kira tapped a linger on the table.

She had a feeling that there was a lot more about this 'old friend" that Austyn wasn't tellin

Enjoy your dinner Austyn said. 'Don't stay our too late!

Then he ended the call

Kira stared at the screen.

He hung up on her

He hung up on her to spend time with an old friend.

A female friend

Kira stabbed her fork at a piece of chicken

Austyn set down his phone.

Deborah gripped the steak kalfe in her hand.

She tried to keep her voice as casual as possible. "Who was that?"

Austyn looked at her. 'Not anyone you know."

Deborah bit her bottom lip. So someone you met after I was gone?

Is the Is she your girlfriend?" Her eyes s turned red.

her.

She'd observed Austyn's fare when he answered the phone.

He was smiling.

The corners of his eyes were crinkled, which meant it was a genuine smile.

His voice was gentle and affectionate.

It was a face she'd never seen before.

He never smiled at her like that when they were going out.

The thought sent Deborah into a panic.

"Austyn, is she...is sho the woman you love?"

Deborah had been gone for seven years.

She knew she shouldn't be surprised if Austyn had found someone else.

But she still couldn't stomach the idea of Austyn smiling that way at another woman.

Austyn's face grew solemn. "Deborah, there's something I need to tell you!

He set down his fork

'Yes?' Deborah fidgeted.

She had a bad feeling about what was coming.

'I'm married.'

Her eyes widened in shock, "Y-You're married? When did this happen?"

Why hadn't she heard about this?

'A year ago. It was kept out of the news."

Deborah's shoulders sagged. 'If you're married, then what's the point of me coming back? You probably forgot a

time ago.

Tears streamed down her cheeks. 'Austyn, how could you get married? Why didn't you wait for me?"

Austyn pursed his lips.

Wait for her?

How?

He thought she was dead!

Deborah saw the look on his face

She sprang forward and grasped his hand. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. You thought I was dead. It's unfair for me to ask you to wait. I'm sorry. I'm being selfish."