* Chapter 7 *

Howie was as awestruck and angry as Mariah was when he heard her tell the whole story. She had been embarrassed to admit all the details at first but surrendered them thanks to her friend's persuasive charm and sympathy. He invited her to lunch to lift her spirits - a tactic that worked until it was time to go their separate ways.

"Thanks, D. I really needed to get out and talk things over," she said as they stood between his corvette and her Mazda.

"No problem." He hugged her tightly. "Things will work out. You and Kev were made for each other."

Mariah sniffled trying to hold back her tears. "I certainly hope you're right. The feminist in me is embarrassed to admit that he's become such a part of my life and that I am not sure I know how to live it without him."

"There is nothing wrong with needing someone. I promise that Kevin will wake up even if I have to smack him upside the head myself."

"You're the best, Howie."

He smiled. "Don't you forget it," he teased.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

In the weeks that followed, Mariah and Kevin's relationship deteriorated further despite Howie's promise to the contrary. Physical affection was virtually non-existent. Conversation went from friendly to forced. Mariah wasn't sure how much more she could take, but she wasn't ready to give up Kevin yet, no matter how intent her mind was in saying the relationship was over. Her heart wouldn't allow it to happen, something that could cause more pain in the end.

Mariah talked to Howie again. His reaction reiterated his disappointment and frustration in Kevin. This time he chose to ignore his normal tendency not to meddle. Determined to talk to Kevin, Howie finally confronted him two weeks later. Howie had returned to the studio in the late evening to pick up a tape of a few songs he'd mixed earlier for Pollyanna. Kevin was leaving as Howie was entering the building and the latter man decided to grab the opportunity.

"Hey, Kev, got a sec. We need to talk."

The older man glanced quickly at his watch. "I have a few minutes before I have to get home."

They sequestered one of the vacant recording boothes. "It's about Mariah."

Mariah? Kevin panicked. Was something wrong? Was she hurt? What? "Actually, it's about you and Mariah."

Kevin flinched. Shit, he didn't want to talk about this now. "Why? There something wrong?" he asked calmly.

"Come on, Kev, cut the crap. There's something going on between you two. It's tearing her apart. You realize that, don't you?"

Is it that obvious? "I haven't really noticed," he said with a shrug.

"She thinks you don't love her anymore."

Nothing could be farther from the truth. "Of course, I do."

Howie felt his anger grow. "Then why don't you show it? Why don't you tell her?"

"Why don't you stop meddling in my business? It doesn't concern you."

"It concerns me when a friend tells me she is hurting as much as Mariah does."

"She told you? Great! We don't need people in our business."

"Come on, Kev. Obviously something is going on. Talk to me."

Kevin had reached the breaking point. "You want to know what's going on? I love her that's what's wrong. I love her so much I don't want to hurt her. Now leave me be."

Kevin strode out of the building and back to his truck forgetting the reason he had originally stopped at the studio. Once inside his 4Runner, he allowed his mind to contemplate the conversation.

"I am doing what's right." It was a statement and a question. He wasn't wholly certain of right and wrong anymore. He loved Mariah. He didn't want to hurt her. Those were the only thoughts clear in his mind.

But what about what Howie had said? She was hurting according to what his friend had said. How could Mariah be hurting and he be doing the right thing?

Chapter 8
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