Lucky Break (Lucky 3)

Lauren had rarely experienced family dinners as a child, so this entire situation seemed surreal. Adding the curse to the conversation merely increased her discomfort.

Her own family could define the word dysfunction, so she didn’t want to judge the Corwins. But that didn’t mean she needed to sit here and feel isolated and attacked.

She slowly placed her napkin on the table and looked at Hank Corwin head-on. “I’m not sure why I was included in this family gathering and I’m definitely not comfortable,” she said, opting for honesty. “But since you asked, I’ll tell you what I think.”

Jason pushed his chair back and stood. “No you won’t. This isn’t an inquisition. You’re a guest. We came to hear my father’s so-called plan for his brother. We heard it. Now we can leave if this line of conversation is going to continue.” He glared at his uncle.

Lauren shook her head, tugging his hand, urging him to sit. “It’s fine. I want to clear the air.”

If the Corwins couldn’t accept her, so be it. It wasn’t as though she was staying in this town for long anyway.

Gabrielle pushed her plate forward. “Jason’s right. This is ridiculous. You were invited because you’re a friend of Jason’s and you’re new in town. Derek and I thought we’d be welcoming you. Not interrogating you,” she said pointedly.

Gabrielle was genuine and warm and Lauren relaxed, realizing this generation of Corwins at least didn’t hold a grudge. She couldn’t say as much for the older one, and though she knew she shouldn’t care, she did. Because one of the men still watching her uneasily was Jason’s father.

Lauren met Gabrielle’s warm gaze, finding it easier to focus on the welcoming members of this family. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do. And I understand the curse is something that exists-in theory for some, in reality for others. But as for me, I don’t believe in it.”

“Well, I suppose everyone’s entitled to their opinion,” Hank muttered.

“That’s very generous of you, Dad,” Derek said, scowling. “I’m also glad you’re here, Lauren. And I wouldn’t worry about Uncle Edward’s reaction. If he has a setback, then he hasn’t come as far as we’d hoped. But no one is to blame.”

“And no one’s harebrained scheme is going to push him into Clara’s open arms,” Jason said.

Thomas stared at his plate, then mumbled something Lauren couldn’t hear.

“Excuse me?” Jason asked. Obviously he couldn’t understand his father, either.

“I said I’ll take Edward’s reaction into consideration before I decide what to do.”

He’d probably said something more colorful than that, Lauren thought.

“Good. Now can we put these subjects to rest and enjoy our meal?” Jason asked.

“As long as you know I’m going to do everything I can do for my brother,” Thomas said, stubborn as ever.

“Does that include picking up the pieces for Clara after Edward retreats so far into himself no one can get him back?” Jason’s voice was brittle and angry.

“Low blow, son. That’s not at all what I had in mind. I’ll do what I need to do.” With that pronouncement, Thomas picked up his knife and fork and dug into his food with gusto.

Hank joined him.

Lauren had a hunch neither she nor Jason, Derek or Gabrielle tasted their food. The prospect of how Thomas’s actions would affect Edward lay on everyone’s mind.

JASON WALKED Lauren to her front door, frustrated and angry at his father and uncle. The evening hadn’t gone well and Jason blamed himself. He’d thought that to keep Lauren comfortable, no one would broach the subject of the curse. He’d miscalculated and she’d paid the price.

He leaned his shoulder against the door and looked at her. “I’m sorry about tonight. If I’d known they couldn’t behave, I never would have suggested we go there for dinner.”

Lauren’s cheeks flushed pink. From the cold or embarrassment? She shrugged, her shoulders as stiff as they’d been for most of the meal.

“It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have agreed to go. Your father and your uncle are too much a part of my grandmother’s generation to accept me with open arms. I really like Derek and Gabrielle though.”

He relaxed a little, realizing she was more rational about things than he’d been. “I’m glad. Derek’s been through a lot and even he believed in the stupid curse for a while, but he has Gabrielle to set him straight now. He’s happy and I’m glad.”

She pulled the key from her jacket pocket.

Taking the hint, he stepped away from the door and she inserted the key in the lock. “Well, thank you for a nice evening,” she said, her voice neutral.

Her emotional walls were up.