Firefly Lane (Firefly Lane 1)

He pulled the Hermès scarf off her head and removed the dark glasses. "You know I love you, honey, but you gotta quit burning the candle at both ends. And youre getting too thin again. "

"Shut up and paint. "

As usual, he started on her hair. While he worked, he talked. Sometimes one or the other of them would confide in the other; it was the nature of the business they were in. Time spent together created an intimacy that didnt quite spill over into friendship. A very New York type of relationship. Today, however, Tully kept their conversation light and impersonal. She didnt want to reveal to him that she felt out of sorts. Hed jump on in and tell her how to fix her life.

By five oclock, she looked ten years younger. "Youre a genius," she said, sliding out of the chair.

"If you dont change your ways, missy, youre going to need a surgeon, not a makeup genius. "

"Thanks. " She flashed him a camera-ready smile and walked away before he could say anything else.

On-set, she stared into the camera and smiled again. Here, in this fake world, she was perfect. She talked easily, laughed at her guests and co-anchors jokes, and made everyone who saw her think she could be their friend. She knew that no one in America knew how she really felt right now. No one imagined that Tallulah Hart could possibly want more than she had.

Shopping with the twins and Marah was a headache-inducing event. By the time Kate finished her last stops at Safeway, the library, the drugstore, and the fabric store, she was exhausted, and it wasnt even three oclock. All the way home the boys cried and Marah sulked. At ten, her daughter had decided that she was too big to sit in the backseat of the car with the babies, and threw a fit now on every excursion. The plan, clearly, was to wear Kate down.

"Stop arguing with me, Marah," she said for at least the dozenth time since theyd left the grocery store.

"Im not arguing. Im explaining. Emily gets to sit in the front seat and so does Rachel. Youre the only mom who wont—"

Kate pulled into the garage and hit the brakes just hard enough to send the grocery bags flying forward. It was worth it, since it shut Marah up. "Help me carry stuff in. "

Marah grabbed a single bag and went inside.

Before Kate could reprimand her, Johnny came into the garage and got a load. Kate and the boys followed him into the house.

As usual, the TV was on, too loud for Kates taste, and turned to CNN.

"Ill put the boys down for their nap," Johnny said when all the bags were on the counter. "Then I have good news for you. "

Kate tossed him a tired smile. "I could use some. Thanks. "

Thirty minutes later, he came back downstairs. Kate was at the dining room table, spreading out the fabric for the last few ballet costumes she had to make. Nine down; three to go.

"Im an idiot," she said, more to herself than to him. "Next time they ask for volunteers, I am not going to raise my hand. "

He came up behind her, pulled her to her feet, and turned her to face him. "You say that every time. "

"Like I said: Im an idiot. So whats my good news? Youre making dinner?"

"Tully called. "

"Thats my good news? She calls every Saturday. "

"Shes coming to Marahs recital, and she wants to throw her goddaughter a little surprise party. "

She pulled out of his arms.

"Youre not smiling," he said, frowning.

Kate was surprised at the flare of anger she felt. "Dance is the only thing Marah and I do together. I was going to have a party for her here. "

"Oh. "

She could tell her husband wanted to say more, but he was too smart to do it. He knew this wasnt his call.

Finally Kate sighed. She was being selfish and they both knew it. Marah idolized her godmother and would love a surprise party. "What time will she be here?"

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR