I don't intend on being curled over a toilet tonight or tomorrow morning. "Don't worry."

Emma grabs my hand and tugs. "Come with me. I want to introduce you around."

We make the rounds and my sister-in-law introduces me to one person after another. Jack Henry was right. I'm pa.s.sed from one person to the next like some kind of novelty. Everyone at the party wants to meet the woman capable of la.s.soing Jack McLachlan's heart.

Meeting this many people at once, while trying to keep their names straight, is exhausting. I need a break from the crowd ... and the alcohol. Jack Henry and Emma were right. Evan mixes much stronger drinks for me as the night progresses.

I catch Jack Henry's attention and motion toward the outside door. I fan myself and then point at the door so he knows I mean to step out for air. He gives me a nod, a signal that he understands, and I blow him a kiss.

I step out into the night air and sit in a patio chair with my feet resting on an ottoman. G.o.d, it's hot. I'm not used to bringing in the new year in the summer. I think I almost expected to see my breath in the cold air.

It's a reality I haven't considered-certainly not the end of the world-but I realize I'll never have a white Christmas in Australia. All of the things I a.s.sociate with the holidays aren't the same here. I'm surprised by how bothered I am when I consider that my kids will never go out to play in the snow after they've opened their gifts from Santa.

"I see I'm not the only one needing some fresh air."

I turn toward the female voice interrupting my thoughts and see a beautiful, pet.i.te blond with silky hair flowing down her back. "Yeah. It's a lot to take in at one time."

She sits in the chair next to me. "I noticed Emma parading you around so I'm guessing you are her new sister-in-law, Laurelyn."

This woman knows my name but that's not surprising since everyone at this party is aware that I'm Jack Henry's wife. Still, it's unnerving. "That would be me."

"Your accent is adorable."

"Thanks. It sort of sticks out like a sore thumb. I've tried to tame it but I'm afraid it's no use."

"Don't. You sound like a sweet little country girl," she laughs. "You shouldn't change it to suit your husband."

It's true that I consider myself a country girl but I'm not sure I like this woman's tone as she tells me I sound like one. I believe she's trying to insult me-but in a catty way-as though I'm too stupid to see it. And I didn't mention anything about changing my accent because Jack Henry didn't like it. "My husband loves my accent and would never want me to speak differently."

"You're the one who said you were trying to change it."

I know exactly what I said and it wasn't that my husband didn't like me the way I was.

I don't know this woman and I have no desire to argue with a complete stranger. I came outside to get a break from empty conversations and I don't intend on having another with her, especially if she's going to put words I didn't say into my mouth.

"If you'll excuse me." I get up to leave. "Jack Henry will be looking for me."

"Oh, look. You're right. Here comes Jack now." She emphasizes his name-as if she's correcting me about what I should call my own husband-and I'm taken aback by her nasty tone and sudden change of demeanor. Who is she? Did I get her name? I don't think so.

She walks toward Jack Henry and goes up on her tiptoes. I know what's she's going to do because I can see it coming a mile away. She intends to kiss him on the mouth. "h.e.l.lo, Jack."

The b.i.t.c.h is quick, but he's faster as he turns his head and grabs her shoulders to push her away. "No, Lana." He sounds as though he's scolding a child. Or a dog-so the term b.i.t.c.h would be accurate.

Disappointment is etched all over her face. His reaction clearly isn't what she'd hoped for but then she breaks into a sneer directed at me. "I'm Lana and I can see from your expression that you've heard of me."

"Don't," Jack Henry warns her.

"Don't what, Jack? Tell her we were a thing and we used to f.u.c.k like champions?" She's smirking, trying to get under my skin-and as badly as I hate to admit it, it's working.

f.u.c.k like champions. Perfect. My husband used the same terminology with me that he once used with this woman-the one who attempted to trap him into marriage by getting pregnant.

I'm caught off guard, my mind completely blank, so I don't have a response for my husband's former lover. I don't want her to know what an impact she has had on Jack Henry's life or how she has shaped who he became even years after they broke up. As much as I despise it, she has had a huge influence over my husband and the thought of her taking any kind of pleasure from knowing that sickens me.

What does she want? She didn't follow me outside for no reason. "Lana. I'm aware of your prior relationship with my husband and I'm also privy to knowing why he ended things with you. He, nor I, has any interest in reminiscing about the manner in which you once f.u.c.ked. I'm his wife-by choice, not force. That means he f.u.c.ks me-and only me-like a champion. And he enjoys the h.e.l.l out of it when he does, which is often." I'm shaking on the inside. My upper lip may even be quivering. "Does that cover it, or do you need further discouragement?"

She looks at Jack Henry and reaches for his hand. "There's no possible way you could be happy with her. If you'll think about it, you'll remember how good we were together."

Un-f.u.c.king-believable!

Jack Henry moves from her reach and places his arm in front of me. It's to hold me back because he knows I could go for blood any second. "Lana, I don't remember us ever being good together. You're just somebody I used to know." He reaches for my hand. "I love my wife with all my heart and we couldn't be happier."

"I know you, Jack. You don't keep any woman around for long. You need variety-and I'm okay with that-but she won't be." She walks toward the house and calls out over her shoulder. "Emma will know how to reach me once the shine is knocked off your new bride."

That was absolutely humiliating-being told by a woman that she used to f.u.c.k my husband-and no less than like a champion. It's almost as if she said that knowing it would hit home with me. I want to strangle them both.

I stand motionless as reality sinks in. I married a man with many women in his past. This is the third time I've been humiliated by one of his previous lovers and I strongly suspect it won't be the last. "How many times do I have to go through this?"

He puts his hands on my shoulders, maybe because he's afraid I'll bolt. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know she was invited. We wouldn't have come had I known."

I'm guessing she's Emma's friend if she's at her party, so why wouldn't he have considered her being invited? "You never told me Lana was Emma's friend. Is that how you met her?"

"Yes."

I feel like I've been hit in the gut. Jack Henry's connection to Lana through Emma is a huge problem for me.

"Come on. We're going home," he says.

Oh h.e.l.l no! Tucking my tail between my legs isn't my forte. Leaving would make me appear upset, which I am, but also weak, which I'm not, so I have no intention of giving her that pleasure. "No. It's too early to go home. We have a new year to ring in." I walk toward the house. "I think I'll have another painkiller since I'm due a stronger drink."

"L. Don't get smashed because you're angry at her."

"I'm not going to get drunk because I'm angry with her. I'm going to drink way more than I should because I'm p.i.s.sed off at both of you."

"What did I do?" He tries to catch me but I make it into the house before he can grasp my arm.

I find Evan still acting as the resident bartender. "Hey, sis. Can I do you for another?"

"You certainly may, bro."

Jack Henry walks up and watches Evan mix my drink. "Get her hammered and I'm kicking your a.s.s."

Evan gives him the bird and I sort of feel like doing the same thing.

He grabs my hand and leads me into Evan and Emma's bedroom. He shuts the door and presses me against it. "Why are you mad at me, L? I didn't do anything wrong."

L. Hearing him say that puts a thought into my head. Laurelyn. Lana. "Oh my G.o.d. Did you call her L too?"

"What?" He looks like I've injured him as he steps away from me. "No, of course I didn't. That's my special name for you."

He can wipe that hurt look off his face. "She used your words, McLachlan. f.u.c.k like a champion. I can't believe you said that to me on our honeymoon when it's what you used to say to her."

He shrugs and puts his hands out. "It's a phrase that my mates and I used to say all the time. It wasn't something special I shared with her. In fact, I don't recall ever telling her I was going to do that to her."

I don't want to hear details about anything he might or might not have done with her. "Just stop."

He rakes his hands through his hair-a telltale sign of his frustration. "You are my wife. I love you. She and I were over a long time ago. You heard me tell her that, so why are you angry with me?"

I've probably turned an ugly shade of green because I'm so envious of the role she has played in his life. "I'm your wife yet this other woman has molded you into the man you are."

He cradles my face with his hands. "Dammit, Laurelyn. You make me the man I am today-the one who loves his wife and wants to be a father. When are you gonna see that you've undone all the damage she caused? You make me ... unbroken."

She will always be a part of him. "She made you the way you are. I can't stand that you became a man that went from one meaningless relationship to the next because of her. It sickens me."

He backs away from me. "Because of you, I didn't feel broken anymore ... but I can clearly see that you don't feel the same."

I didn't know that's how he felt, like he's fixed because of me. I'm so stupid. I just told him I'm sickened by the man he is. "I'm a foolish woman. I shouldn't have said those things. I didn't mean them." He places his hand on my arm to move me away from the door but I plant my feet firmly. "No."

He doesn't move an inch but looks me in my eyes. "Infinity." The moment he says the word, I know I've messed up. Bad. He's used our code word as a safe word. It means he's had enough of me and needs to get away.

I step aside so he can leave and I remain in Evan and Emma's bedroom. Alone.

I open the door and Lana's standing there eavesdropping because that's what a nosy b.i.t.c.h does. I try to move around her but she steps with me, blocking my escape. I place my hands on her arms. She thinks I mean to kiss her because she closes her eyes and leans in but instead I force her aside.

She grasps my biceps tightly, pressing her long claws into my skin. "I heard what she said. Your wife doesn't want you the way you are-but I do."

The more Lana says, the more I realize how much I hate her. I can't believe I ever had a relationship with this b.i.t.c.h. "I'm not discussing my marriage with you."

She shrugs. "Doesn't sound like there's a marriage to discuss. Your wife is repulsed by the person you are-the man I made you, per her words." She advances toward me. "If she loved you, she'd be fine with who you are."

I continue to hold her at arm's length. "Stop. I don't want to hear this."

"I'd be okay with you having other women. You could bring them into our bed anytime you wanted." She grins and gestures toward the door of Evan and Emma's bedroom. "I've come to like it. Maybe you and me and Laurelyn could give it a try."

What the h.e.l.l is wrong with her? "I punched the last person who suggested something similar."

"My tastes have matured since we were together. I like it rough." She unexpectedly shoves me. I'm caught off guard and my back slams against the wall, making a loud thud. "So would you if you'd let me show you."

She's not just a b.i.t.c.h-she's crazy. "You're nuts and I'm done here."

I push against her to escape but she locks her arms, pulling me with her against the wall. I stumble, landing chest to chest with her, causing another loud thump. "See? I knew you'd like it rough."

She holds on to me tightly and her intent is no mystery. She wants L to open the door and see me with her like this.

And she gets what she's after.

Laurelyn stands in the doorway staring at me tangled in Lana's arms. I'm f.u.c.ked-and not the way I want to be. "L. It's not what it looks like." That's all I'm able to say before she storms past down the hallway.

"How f.u.c.kin' cliche! At least have enough respect for me to be original."

"Whoops," Lana laughs.

I've never been violent toward a woman in my life but I have to fight the urge to put my fist in this one's face. At the very moment I feel like I could explode, I punch my clenched hand through the wall next to her head. She appears somber and fear creeps into her eyes. She's frightened by my display and potential of what I might do to her. Good. I hope I've managed to put a stop to her game. "I never want to see your face again."

I push away from her to go find my wife and I see Evan still bartending as I pa.s.s through the kitchen. "Did Laurelyn come through here?"

"Umm ... yeah. I think she went out the door to the garage." I'm guessing she has Daniel on his way and plans to sneak out. She won't if I have anything to do with it.

It'll take him at least twenty minutes to get here so I walk over to the kitchen sink to wash my b.l.o.o.d.y hand. Evan calls out, "Whoa, bro! Who'd you punch?"

It stings as the cold water hits the open skin. "Not who. Tell Emma she can pick a new color for the hallway if she wants since you'll be needing some sheetrock work."

"I'm a.s.suming that was no accident."

"Definitely not. Laurelyn thinks she saw me f.u.c.king around with Lana." Even I admit it must have appeared that way. "You know I wasn't. She set it up to look that way."

"I knew she was up to something when she called Emma out of the blue. She was fishing for an invite to the party so she could get to you and Laurelyn."

Emma walks up. "Who wanted to get to you and Laurelyn?" She looks down at my hand. "Oh h.e.l.l. What happened?"

"A s.h.i.tstorm named Lana." I don't want to explain this again. "Catch Emma up. I gotta find L and explain."

I go into the garage and find no trace of Laurelyn so I call her phone. I hear the faint Hawaiian rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and follow its melody toward the courtyard. She's sitting at the bistro table digging through her purse to find the noisemaker. I'm sure she wants to silence it so I don't discover her hiding place. Too late.

She's crying and it breaks my heart to guess what's she's imagining. "You'll go away if you know what's good for you."

"I've already told you I know what's good for me, and it's you. Always you. That's never going to change." I want to go to her but I'm afraid she'll push me away.

"Really? Because you sort of looked like you thought Lana might be good for you a few minutes ago."

"Does it make sense that I would walk away from you and f.u.c.k around with Lana two seconds later when you could come out of the bedroom at any second and see me? Come on, L. You know that was a total setup. Just like her cornering you outside." She doesn't reply but she doesn't dispute my allegation, either. "Babe, it's impossible for you to wrap your head around the malicious things Lana is capable of because your heart is so good and pure. Trust me when I say she's venomous. And determined. She'll do anything to get what she wants."

"She wants you."

"And you too."

She looks confused, as she should be. "What?"

"I'm not the only one she'd like to have. She proposed a threesome." She looks as though she's waiting to hear me say if I accepted or declined the offer. s.h.i.t, I can't believe she's at a point where I have to confirm that. "I said no."

Lana has successfully f.u.c.ked me after all.

"I think there's been a lot of misunderstandings tonight and I want to clear them up." I drop to my knees in front of L and take her hands. "I don't want Lana, even though she tried to make it appear as though I did. I love you. You're the only one for me."

"That may very well be the case but I'm not ready to say all is well and get over what just happened." She looks down as tears fall from her eyes. "I'm just so ... d.a.m.n mad." Her words convey anger but her tears, along with the sob that follows, tells me she's something else-in pain.

How did it come to this? I didn't do anything wrong yet I feel like a b.a.s.t.a.r.d. My wife is upset and crying and I don't know how to fix it.

The car's headlights shine on us when Daniel pulls into the drive and I ask if she's going to let me come home with her. She has a habit of making me leave when she's angry. She doesn't answer immediately and my heart pounds. She sighs. I know she probably wants s.p.a.ce but I don't want to be away from her tonight. I think being apart could cause more harm than good. "Please don't make me stay somewhere else tonight."