‘Yes.’
‘But didn’t you realise your reaction was due to the loss of the baby and not to an actual aversion to Jordan?’
Kelly gave a wan smile. ‘I do now.’
‘You do?—Oh,’ Laura said meaningly. ‘You still love him, hmm?’
‘Insanely. I have to be insane to put up with the way he treats me. I think Anne Fellows really means something to him, though, he got drunk over her last night.’
‘Is that all? That’s nothing unusual.’
Kelly’s eyes widened. ‘It isn’t?’
‘No.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Just that he and Ian used to go out on terrific binges together when Ian and I were first dating.’
‘Jordan did?’ Kelly was incredulous.
‘Mm. The first half a dozen times I met him he was absolutely plastered.’
‘I find that hard to believe,’ Kelly dismissed.
‘But he was,’ Laura insisted. ‘I didn’t like him very much at first. Then I met him when he wasn’t drunk. He can be quite charming then.’
‘I just can’t believe he was drunk. I’d never seen him that way before last night.’
Laura shrugged. ‘It’s the truth, ask Ian. Or ask Jordan.’
Her expression hardened. ‘I doubt we’ll be talking for much longer.’
‘Are you going to leave him again?’
‘Eventually. I won’t share, Laura, it isn’t in my nature.’
‘Or mine,’ Laura admitted ruefully. ‘Ian and I had a break-up before we
even got married. I found out he had been two-timing me. I soon sorted that nonsense out.’
Kelly couldn’t help smiling. ‘You really are deceptive to look at. Underneath all that sweetness there’s a steely heart.’
‘You can believe it,’ Laura smiled back.
‘Oh, I do,’ Kelly frowned. ‘Are you sure Jordan wasn’t just fatigued when you met him? Complete tiredness and drunkenness can often be confused.’
‘He was roaring drunk.’
Kelly just couldn’t believe it. It just didn’t sound like that Jordan she knew, the man always in control, never allowing his emotions to rule his head. She shrugged. ‘If you say so.’
‘I do,’ Laura grinned.
‘I’ll have to go now, Kelly said, getting up. ‘My father should be back from the hospital, and I don’t like leaving him alone too long.’
‘But you’ll call me again?’ the other girl said eagerly. ‘And we’re still waiting to hear from Jordan about your coming to dinner. He did agree, didn’t he?’
‘Oh yes. Although I’m not sure of his plans now that he’s interested in Anne Fellows. He can be pretty single-minded about such things,’ Kelly said with remembered bitterness.