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Washington to L.A., given birth to her baby – a boy she’d named Andy – and vowed that she would never speak to Senator Stoneman again. Not that he was exactly running after her, she hadn’t heard a word since she’d left. And she didn’t care. Andy was all hers; she would never allow Gregory anywhere near her son.
    ‘My problem is Bobby’s mom,’ Denver ventured, anxious to vent her feelings. ‘She’s so . . . well, how can I describe her?’
    ‘Go ahead and try,’ Carolyn said briskly.
    ‘For a start she’s drop-dead beautiful,’ Denver began, attempting to paint an accurate portrait of the incredible Lucky Santangelo. ‘I mean she’s tall, olive-skinned, with incredible dark eyes and hair. She’s an absolute knockout in a very earthy Italian way.’
    ‘What’s so bad about that?’ Carolyn remarked. ‘She certainly passed on the good genes to Bobby.’
    ‘She’s also extremely accomplished,’ Denver continued, wondering how she could possibly live up to the force of nature that was Lucky Santangelo. ‘She builds her own hotels, she once ran a major movie studio. She gave birth to three children, and if that isn’t enough, she’s an insane cook, does everything herself, and has a long-lasting and apparently very happy marriage to Lennie Golden.’
    ‘The movie star?’
    ‘He was. Now he writes and directs extremely successful independent movies.’
    ‘Sounds as if Bobby has a lot to live up to.’
    ‘Lennie’s not his father,’ Denver explained, picking up her coffee mug. ‘I thought I told you – his father is a deceased Greek billionaire ship-owner. Hence the company plane whenever he wants it. Something else to intimidate me.’
    ‘Stop it, Denver,’ Carolyn said firmly. ‘Nothing should intimidate you.’
    ‘So,’ Denver said, grimacing. ‘Bobby’s mom is perfect and I’m not.’
    ‘Oh my God !’ Carolyn said, throwing up her hands in exasperation. ‘Will you listen to yourself.’
    ‘ What? ’ Denver said, aggravated that Carolyn wasn’t getting it.
    ‘ You’re incredible, Denver. You have a terrific career doing something meaningful. You’re young, smart, beautiful, and you have a great boyfriend.’ Carolyn paused for a moment, then added, ‘It’s a given that your cooking skills are nil. But I’ve got a strong suspicion Bobby is not with you for your culinary assets.’
    Denver couldn’t help laughing. ‘I’m not beautiful and I’m not so young any more, but I am smart,’ she admitted.
    ‘Oh yeah,’ Carolyn said. ‘Twenty-seven is really getting up there. And let me correct you – your beauty is not magazine perfect, it’s warm and natural – made all the better ’cause you damn well have no clue how great-looking you are.’
    ‘Thanks, but you should see the girls that hang out in Bobby’s club. Not to mention the ones that come up to him when we’re out. They’re all over him.’
    ‘What do you care? He’s with you, isn’t he?’
    ‘I guess . . .’
    ‘She guesses!’ Carolyn echoed, rolling her eyes. ‘The man is crazy for you, everyone knows it. And about those random girls – let me take a shot: size zero ’cause they never eat. Huge boobs – fake. Huge lips – fake. High cheekbones – fake. And—’
    ‘Stop!’ Denver said, breaking into laughter. ‘They’re in the entertainment business, they have to look their best.’
    ‘Bull!’ Carolyn exclaimed. ‘And don’t take this personally, but I’m changing the subject – to me .’
    ‘Good,’ Denver responded. ‘What’s up with you?’
    ‘I’ve decided to become gay,’ Carolyn announced.
    Denver choked on her coffee. ‘What?’ she spluttered. ‘You can’t just decide to become gay. It’s something you’re either into or you’re not.’
    ‘I’m into it,’ Carolyn said matter-of-factly. ‘Met this lovely woman at yoga. She’s invited me out on a date. So guess what – I’m going.’
    ‘Why would you do that?’
    ‘Because I’m off men forever. First