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thing she wanted was to be recognized as her old self. She had a new career, a new start in life.
    Sophie's secrets were not to be revealed.
    "And that man you chose, wow, I haven't seen biceps like that since Larry Filch."
    Her mother's on and off live-in lover during Sophie's freshman year. Sophie had marked her years in school by her mother's various boyfriends—she couldn't quite call them relationships—and her various apartments, which she couldn't quite call home.
    The very reason it was so important to her to buy a house and settle down with one man.
    "Yes, he's handsome," Sophie said in a guarded tone as she changed lanes. What was her mother up to? Did she want Sophie to fix her up with a man?
    "I bet you're going to have a fabulous time in Cancun."
    She doubted that. Not unless she got over Lance really quickly.
    "Anyway, I called to see if Lucy arrived."
    Her erratic sister? "Lucy's coming to see me?"
    "Oh, dear, she hasn't called."
    Sophie rolled her eyes, then braked for a red light. Was Deseree actually worried about one of her offspring? Now there was a switch. "No, but I'll try her cell," Sophie said, sensing trouble. And she'd find out what mischief Lucy was up to now.
    "You should see the latest moves she added to the Dazzling Diva act. Your sister has become quite the Vegas star. Everyone is talking about her, even the talent scouts."
    Guilt niggled at Sophie. She had started Lucy into the showy lifestyle, but now that Sophie had gotten out, she owed it to her sister to help her do the same.
    "Do you know why Lucy's coming?"
    The expelling of breath signified another dramatic drag on her cigarette. "Something about that singles series you're doing. Lucy wants you to work her into one of the shows, but she'll have to explain the details."
    Sophie's premonition of bad luck intensified. "Deseree, I'm almost to the airport and I need to phone Lucy before I board. I'm hanging up now."
    "Wait." Fingernails tapped across a hard surface, and Sophie's stomach tightened. That could mean only one thing: her mother had another agenda.
    "Listen, hon, I hate to ask you this, but the rent is due and I'm a little pinched. Could you just spot me a few dollars? I promise I'll pay you back the end of the month."
    Sophie sighed. But the fact that her mother wanted money at least meant she wasn't up to her old tricks again. That is, unless she'd taken up buying expensive presents for the new man in her life.
    Did Sophie really want to know? No.
    "All right, I'll put a check in the mail from the airport."
    "Thanks, honey. You and Lucy have fun next week. And enjoy your romantic weekend. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
    Her mother's parting words echoed in Sophie's mind, resurrecting memories of her childhood. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.
    As if there were anything her mother wouldn't do.
    Sophie grimaced and hung up, then punched in Lucy's number. Deseree was definitely trouble, suddenly trying to ensconce herself in Sophie's and Lucy's lives after being virtually absent all those years.
    And Lucy, lovable as she was, exploded through life like a train wreck. Sophie's only hope was to talk to her little sister and try to circumvent disaster before things snowballed out of hand.
    But first, she had to find out exactly what scheme Lucy had up her sleeve this time....
    * * *
    Lance had already torn out the back door and checked for termite damage, then covered it with polyurethane in case it rained. Tomorrow he'd pick up the supplies he needed to replace the door casings. He wiped his neck with a towel. It must be a hundred degrees outside.
    Sophie was on her way to the airport. But what would she be doing once she arrived in Cancun? Images came to him like being slapped in the face. Sophie lying on the sugar-white sandy beach with the hulk. Sophie letting the hulk rub sunscreen all over her silky bare skin and getting sand in all the wrong places. The two of them joining the nude sun-bathers at the adult beach where the