Janine carefully tore her roll into pieces. She toyed with the idea of bringing up the subject of Brian, but in the end, she didn’t.

“So you say you’re fine, and there’s nothing wrong between you and Zach,” Gramps said sarcastically. “Funny, that’s exactly what he said when I asked him. Except he also told me to mind my own business—not quite in those words, but I got the message. The thing is, he looks as pathetic as you do. I can’t understand it—you’re perfect for each other!”

Gramps reached into his pocket for a cigar. “I’ll be seeing Zach this afternoon and I intend to give that boy a piece of my mind. By all rights, you should be a happy bride.” He tapped one end of the cigar against the table.

“We’ll be fine, Gramps. Please stay out of it.”

For a long moment, he said nothing; he only stared at the cigar between his fingers. “You’re sure you don’t want me to talk some sense into the boy?” he finally asked.

The mental picture of him trying to do so brought a quivering smile to her lips. “I’m sure,” she said, then glanced at her watch. Pam would be waiting for her. “But since you’re seeing Zach, would you please let him know I’ll probably be late for dinner? He…should go ahead and eat without me.”

“Do you do this often?” His question was an accusation.

“No,” she replied, shaking her head. “This is the first time. Pam needs my help with a school project and I don’t know when we’ll be finished.”

Gramps glowered as he lit his cigar, puffing mightily before he spoke. “I’ll tell him.”

* * *

As it turned out, Janine spent longer with Pam than she’d expected. The homework assignment wasn’t difficult, but Pam begged Janine to stay with her. Pam’s father was working late and the girl seemed to need Janine more than ever. They made dinner together, then ate in the kitchen while Pam chatted about her friends and life in general.

It was almost nine by the time Janine pulled into the parking garage. The first thing she noticed was Zach’s car. The atmosphere had been so falsely courteous between them that she dreaded each encounter, however brief. Since that first morning, Zach hadn’t made any effort to talk about her role in his life. Janine wasn’t looking for a long flowery declaration of love. Just a word or two more profound than fond or like to let her know she was important to him.

Drawing a deep breath, she headed for the condominium.

She’d just unlocked the door when Zach stormed into the room like a Minnesota blizzard. “Where the hell have you been?” he demanded.

Janine was so shocked by his fierce anger that she said nothing.

“I demand to know exactly where you were!”

She removed her sweater, hanging it carefully in the entry closet, along with her purse. Zach scowled at her silence, fists clenched at his sides. “Do you have any idea of the time? Did it even cross your mind that I might’ve been concerned about you? Your cell phone was off and you didn’t return any calls.”