Serena clenched her cup of tea while she sat on the davenport in the formal living room. Jake looked at her intently. She would have to spit it out sometime, but the words just wouldn't come. One cannot start a sentence by saying, Hey, it's good to see you after so long. By the way, I'm dying.

Damn those gorgeous green eyes of his.

"You used to be courageous. What happened? California make you soft?"

"I'm sorry, Jake."

The heartbreak in her tone shut ...