Free Wish 01 - A Secret Wish by Barbara Freethy Page B

late.” He paused. “I can’t believe you have teenagers.”
    “I got pregnant right away. Blake wanted a family, and so did I, and we didn’t see any reason to wait. He had as many plans as I did, and he still does. “He’s going to run for the state senate next year.”
    “Your mother told me your husband’s ambition is even bigger than yours.”
    “I can’t believe you and my mother talk about me.”
    “Not that often, but on occasion. Talking to me about you, about the old times, makes the distance between you hurt a little less.”
    “I never wanted to hurt her,” she said with a sigh.
    “That’s why you didn’t talk to her for ten years?”
    “I’ve sent her cards. But she screwed up big time, and Blake really didn’t want her to be around us or the kids.”
    “And it’s his call?” Alex challenged. “I thought you had a spine to go with all that ambition. Or did you give that up, too, when you got married?”
    “You don’t know me at all anymore.” She slid off her stool. “I should go.”
    “Getting a little too hot in here?”
    “There’s no point to this conversation.”
    “Does there have to be a point? We’re just catching up.”
    “I suppose.”
    “And I don’t think you’re ready to go.”
    “Well, I did tell my mother I’d pick her up from work, so I have some time to kill, but I don’t have to do it here.”
    “Why don’t you come upstairs?”
    A tingle shot down her spine. He wasn’t suggesting a hook-up, was he? She should be angry, furious, but the emotion running through her felt more like excitement.
    “We can talk,” Alex added, his gaze narrowing. “You didn’t think…”
    “No, of course not,” she said quickly. “I’m married.”
    “Right. Upstairs might not be a good idea. In fact, I have a better one.”
    “What’s that?”
    “It will be a surprise.”
    She gave him a doubtful look. “I don’t like surprises.”
    “I know. You like to plan and control every moment of your life, but you’re taking a trip down memory lane, and I don’t want you to miss any of the important spots.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “You’ll see.” He turned to the other bartender. “I’ll be back in a while.” As the woman nodded, he moved through the door behind the bar and returned a moment later with a big coat. “You’re going to need this.”
    “This is not a good idea,” she said as she took the coat.
    He grinned. “It won’t be the first bad idea I’ve had, especially where you’re concerned.”
    “You always could talk me into things.”
    “Only when you secretly wanted to do them,” he said, once again reminding her of just how well he knew her. Almost twenty years had passed, but she felt like a young girl again… and hell, maybe that was worth something. Why not have a reckless night? She was forty. Tomorrow and reality would come soon enough.
    * * *
     
    Following her would-be mugger home was not the smartest idea Angela had ever had, but she felt a force propelling her forward that seemed impossible to resist. The apartment building was only a block away from the convenience store and had obviously seen better days. Everything was old. The hallways smelled of cigarette smoke and a mix of other food smells. Through the thin walls, she could hear a couple yelling at each other.
    Laurel stopped in front of a door on the second floor and unlocked the two locks. She led the way inside, calling for her sister. “Kimmie, I’m back.”
    A small girl of about six or seven came running around the couch with a ragged stuffed bear in her arms. She barreled into Laurel as she shot Angela a suspicious look. “Who’s she?” she asked.
    “I’m Angela,” she replied.
    She looked around the small, dark, dirty apartment, even more appalled at the living conditions. There were no lights on, just a couple of candles casting big shadows on walls of peeling paint. The blinds at the windows were broken. A queen-sized bed in one corner was