Blossom Street Brides (Blossom Street #10)(8)

Lauren agreed. “Basically, that’s what I want, too. A good, down-to-earth guy.”

“Was it a hard decision?” Elisa asked.

“Not really.” That was what had surprised her. Lauren had been ready for this for a long time, only she hadn’t known it. “Todd and I are supposed to meet tomorrow night for dinner. I’m stopping off at the yarn store to pick up supplies to knit a blanket for my sister’s baby. I suggested we dine across the street at The French Cafe, but I give you odds Todd will be late.” It’d happened so often Lauren had come to expect it. “Naturally, he’ll have a good excuse; he always does.”

“Do you think he suspects you want to break up?”

“Todd? Probably not.” One of his biggest flaws was how oblivious he could be when it came to her feelings. “More than likely he won’t believe I’m serious.”

Lauren felt her best friend’s scrutiny. “Will he be able to change your mind?”

After a sleepless night mulling this decision over, Lauren was fairly certain she knew what she wanted. “Not this time.”

“Not this time? You mean to say you’ve tried to break up with Todd before?”

“Just once, about a year ago. If I’d walked away then I would have saved myself twelve months,” she said, dealing with regret. Her instincts had been right on, only she hadn’t found the resolve needed. Because she wanted to believe Todd, she’d given in and their relationship had continued. For a while it was better, but it wasn’t long before they slipped back into the same routine. She wouldn’t be so easily persuaded this time around. Since receiving her sister’s news, Lauren knew what had to be done.

“What happened a year ago?” Elisa quizzed. “I thought you told me everything.”

“I wish I had told you, because you might have talked some sense into me. I needed to know where our relationship was headed.”

“And?”

“And,” it was fairly humbling to explain, “Todd kept telling me how unfair I was being and that no man wants to have his back pressed against a wall. He claimed he loved me and wanted us to marry, but he had a few financial problems he needed to clear up first. He felt certain everything would right itself once he got the anchor slot for the five-o’clock news. Plus, he had an inheritance from his grandfather coming.”

“Oh, Lauren.”

“Someday he probably will be offered that position, but as far as I can see, it isn’t likely to happen anytime soon.”

Lauren’s cellphone rang, and she dug it out of her purse. When she read the caller ID, she said, “Speaking of the devil.”

“It’s Todd?” Elisa asked.

Lauren nodded. “Hi, Todd,” she said, and wrapped her free arm around her waist as if to protect herself.

“Hey, sweetie, about dinner—”

“You have to cancel,” she finished for him.

“No, not cancel, but I thought I should warn you that I’ve got a great lead on a story, and—”

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it,” she said, doing her best to hide her irritation. It seemed Todd didn’t even have time for her to break up with him.

“I am worried; you know how I hate to disappoint you. You’re upset, aren’t you? But you have to know I wouldn’t put you off if this wasn’t important.”

“Right. It’s fine, it really is.” She glanced at Elisa and rolled her eyes.

Elisa covered her mouth to hold back her giggles.

Afraid she might laugh herself, Lauren turned her back on her employer. “Listen Todd, it’s probably for the best.”

“The best? What’s up?”

“My sister’s pregnant.”

Todd paused as if he needed a moment to translate. “Oh, boy, I know what’s coming,” he muttered, as if this was the last thing he wanted to discuss. “Are we going to revisit the marriage issue again? Come on, Lauren, you know where I stand on the subject. When I get a few bills paid off and lock in the anchor slot, we’ll set the date.”

“Dan isn’t anywhere close to retiring.”

“Not true … just the other day I heard a rumor that—”

“I’d rather not do this over the phone,” she said, cutting him off. Normally she wasn’t this rude, but dragging this out would do neither of them any good.

“Do what?” Todd asked.

“You’re leaving me no option.”

“What?” he demanded.

“Todd, I think it would be best if we ended it now.”

“End it? Is this a joke?”

“No joke.”

“You’re just upset because your sister is pregnant,” he insisted.

“I’m not upset. If anything, I’m disappointed in myself. I hung on to this relationship far longer than I should have.”

“You’re serious. You actually want to break up with me?” Todd asked, with what sounded like utter disbelief.

“Yes.” She couldn’t make it any more clear than that. She didn’t offer excuses or explanations. She was finished. End of story.

“Let me make sure I’ve got this straight. This is all about you and your sister?”