'I'm lucky that way.'

'Gambling is an addiction, you know.'

'Does that mean I'm about to get a lecture?'

'Not from me. Trust me, Nick - lectures are not my thing.'

On the way home, Lola checked with her mother on the car phone.

'Selma was very talkative tonight,' her mother assured her. 'The doctors say that she'll be able to come home in a few days. No permanent damage.'

'That's such great news, Mama.'

'It's late, where are you calling from?'

'Matt and I were at a party. We're in the car.'

'Was it a nice party?'

'Yes, Mama, it was very nice. It was for the artist, Raja Mestres.'

'That is exciting.'

'I think I saw Antonio Banderas there - your favourite.'

'What I wouldn't give to meet that man,' Claudine sighed.

'Next time I'm invited to one of his premieres,' Lola said, 'I'll take you with me.'

'No,' Claudine said firmly. 'You'll take Matt. He your husband.'

Oh, God, now she'd have to confront the family again when she got rid of Matt.

Her problems were never-ending.

Matt was sulking in the car.

'I'm the one who should be giving out the silent treatment around here,' she said, when she got off the phone. 'How dare you drag me out of a party while I'm talking to my friends?'

'Your friends' he sneered. 'Is that what you call Tony Alvarez - friend?'

'Tony's a very fine director and for your information, a loyal friend.'

'What were the two of you doing in the bedroom?'

'He was showing me the house.'

'Some of the waiters were laughing about it in the kitchen.'

'Laughing about what?'

'You and him in there, then you with two women. What are you? A lesbian ?'

'Oh, for God's sake!'

They travelled the rest of the way home in silence. When they arrived at the house, Lola marched straight upstairs. Her mind was in turmoil. Thank God Selma had fully recovered and would shortly be coming out of hospital. Normal life would resume, and Lola had decided that there was no way she was about to be stuck with Matt.

There was only one answer. She and Tony should get married, then nobody could criticize them.

How quickly could she divorce Matt? That was the question. And how much would she have to pay him this time? She was rich, but not a billionaire by any means, and getting rid of Matt was turning into a big expense.

Matt walked into the bedroom shortly after her.

'No TV?' she said sarcastically, sitting on the edge of the bed, brushing her hair. 'Surely you want to sit downstairs watching sports for another three hours?'

'I'm not happy,' Matt mumbled.

'Nor am I,' she retorted.

I'm the one who's being treated like crap,' he whined. 'I'm your husband, Lola.

You married me, threw me out, then took me back. You can't treat me like a dog and expect to get away with it. I refuse to be made a fool of by someone like Tony Alvarez.'

'I'm glad you brought it up,' she said, seizing the opportunity. 'The truth is that we never should've gotten back together. We're not compatible. It was a big mistake.'

'What?' he said, perplexed by her attitude. He'd expected to mend bridges - not demolish them.

'You heard,' she answered. 'You're not the man for me, and I'm not the woman for you. That's the way it is, Matt. We should both face up to it.'

His left eyelid began twitching - a sign that he was nervous. 'What are you saying?' he said, flushing angrily.

'I'm saying this is not working out for either of us. You have to go.'

'Lola-'

'I'll make sure you're well compensated.'

'Compensated?' he exploded. 'What do you think I am? An employee?'

'You know what I mean,' she said, wishing she hadn't started something that her lawyer would obviously have to finish.

He started pacing around the room. 'It's Tony Alvarez, isn't it? He always manages to come between us. If it weren't for him, you and I would be fine.'

'Maybe so,' she answered, putting down her hairbrush. 'However, that's the way it is.'

'That's the way it is,' he muttered, repeating her words.

'Not only is Tony one of the most talented directors in the world,' she said, deciding that since she'd started it, she might as well lay it all out, 'but he loves me, and I'm finally admitting that I love him too.' She was glad that she'd said it. Relieved it was out in the open. No more deception.

'You love him?' Matt said, his bland face turning a dark crimson. 'He's engaged to another woman.'

'Maria is only a smokescreen,' she explained. 'Tony and I are meant for each other.'

'You honestly believe that?' he said, shocked she would say such a thing.

'Yes,' she said. 'I only took you back because my family begged me to. It was a mistake. I need to be with Tony, and for once I'm doing what I want, not what my family thinks I should do.'

Something exploded inside him. He was filled with a fury he hadn't known he was capable of. 'You unfeeling bitch!' he yelled.

'Pack up and leave tomorrow morning, Matt,' she said coldly. 'Tonight you can sleep in the guest room.'

'You'd appreciate that, would you?' he said, completely enraged. 'Why don't you have your lawyer throw me out, like before?'

'Don't fight it,' she said, perfectly calm. 'I've made up my mind.'

'You're obsessed with Tony Alvarez! That's what this is all about,' he shouted.

'If he wasn't around, you and I would be very happy together.'

'Whatever you say,' she murmured, tired of arguing. 'I'm going to sleep now. I'm sorry it had to work out this way.'

Shelby did not know who to turn to so she called Pete, who assured her he'd be over immediately.

When he arrived, she was already dressed and ready to go. She'd written a note to her parents, stuck it on the fridge, and put the puppy in its play pen where it couldn't get into trouble.

'I need somebody to take me to the airport,' she said, choking back tears.

'I'll drive you,' Pete said, hugging her. 'Everything will work out, Shelby.'

'This is all because I left him alone,' she said, her beautiful face pale and wan. 'I should have gone back to him, done what he wanted. I could've walked off the movie. It didn't matter.'

'It has nothing to do with you,' Pete assured her. 'This would've happened anyway.'

'Not if I'd given up my career and been by his side.'

In the car on the way to the airport she decided to tell him about the baby.

'There's something you should know, Pete,' she said in a low voice. 'Yesterday I found out I'm pregnant.'

'Oh, Jesus! Now I know why you've been in such a funk about everything.'

'I have to go back to Linc,' she said, nodding to herself. 'You're a wonderful man, and I've enjoyed our time together, but Linc is my husband and I love him, so I am going back.'

Pete nodded, although he was dying inside. 'I understand.'

At the airport he informed her that he was coming with her on the plane to New York.

'It's not necessary,' she said. 'I'll manage.'

'No,' he said, watching her closely. 'I'm flying with you. You can't be by yourself.

'You don't have to do that,' she said softly.

'Yes, Shelby. I do.'

He purchased both their tickets, and they caught the next flight out.

Later, sitting on the plane, Shelby was frozen with fear. She kept on remembering the good times and, the bad. The happiness and despair. Life with Linc had never been dull. And now... What if he didn't pull through? What would she do then?

She had to stop thinking about it. The only positive thing she could do was hope that he made it.

As soon as Nick and Cat walked into the Hard Rock, the front desk alerted the manager, and he came running out to meet them and escort them to the complimentary suite where Amy and Jonas were already settled.

Amy, clad in yellow and black striped leggings and an oversized T-shirt, was sitting cross-legged on the terrace eating a bowl of cereal and sliced banana.

'Wow!' she exclaimed, jumping up. 'What happened to you two? You look like you've been through a garbage dump and come out the other side.'

'Thanks,' Cat said, stealing a slice of banana. 'Guess I'd better go take a shower.'

'Lead the way,' Nick said, regarding her with affection.

'Oh,' Amy said knowingly, 'so it's like that, is it?'

Nick and Cat exchanged an intimate look, unable to wipe the smile off their faces.

'That's cool,' Amy said casually. 'It means you won't be too knocked over by our news.'

'What news?' Nick asked. 'And where's Jonas?'

'He's downstairs buying me a-'

'Buying you a what?'

'Hmm, you'd better take a look at these and have a guess,' Amy said, handing them a couple of photos.

Cat and Nick viewed the photos together. They were of an overstuffed Elvis impersonator in a white suit, holding a Bible, standing under a sign that read The Elvis Wedding Chapel. Opposite him Jonas and Amy were hand in hand, with huge smiles on their faces.

'Don't tell me you-' Nick began.

'Yup,' Amy yelled excitedly. 'We did?

'You did!' Cat screamed. 'And you had Elvis! How cool is that?'

'Couldn't help ourselves,' Amy said. 'We got here way before you guys, and we had nothing to do - except gamble, which Jonas doesn't. So... since we were celebrating-'

'Celebrating what?' Nick asked.

'Merrill made Jonas a producer on his next movie.'