Family Dynamics (Pam of Babylon Book Five) by Suzanne Jenkins

we’re together, but Marie would have never ordered that,” Steve said. “If she ate at all, it had to be something breaded and deep-fried. She had the worst diet.”
    Carolyn found that odd. “My God, she was so thin. You’d never know it,” she said, not minding Steve bringing up her name. Carolyn had grown fond of Marie and was saddened when she became ill and never came into the office again.
    “She battled anorexia her entire life,” he confided. “But when she ate, she ate with gusto and usually the worst thing on the menu. It’s sort of refreshing seeing someone order a salad during a heat wave. I might have one, too.” They ate their salads and ordered another round of drinks. By nine, Carolyn wasn’t sure she would be able to get home.
    “I have four empty bedrooms. There’s an entire third floor you can sleep in, if need be. Come home with me,” Steve offered. Carolyn was in no condition to argue with him. She was angry at herself for getting into this shape in the first place.
    “I have to go back there anyway,” she said. “My briefcase.” They left the bar holding hands. Walking the few blocks to his house in the fresh night air woke Carolyn up slightly, but she knew she would be too frightened to take the train home, and a cab would be too expensive. She was going to have to spend the night there and risk her mother’s admonition.
    Once they arrived at Steve’s brownstone, they discovered that Bernice Smith was safely back at the assisted-living center, and Nelda was long to bed. Steve took Carolyn up the stairs to an empty bedroom.
    “This one has its own bathroom. You’ll have all the privacy you need,” he said. Then, thinking of her comfort, he went to his room and came back with a T-shirt for her to sleep in.

    The next morning, before dawn, Carolyn Fitzsimmons hurried and dressed so she could leave Steve’s house before his child and the grandmother woke up. The last thing she wanted was a confrontation with Nelda. She got out safely and was just preparing to take the steps down into the subway when she heard a horn beep; Steve had chased her down.
    “Hop in! I’ll get you to Queens in air-conditioned comfort,” he said. He looked a little tousled but like he’d showered. She was embarrassed of her condition. She hesitated for a moment. “Come on, you won’t have to say a word to me.” So she got into his car, careful not to breathe in his direction.
    “Wow, this was unexpected,” she said. “Thank you very much.” He smiled but didn’t say anything, and when he was done shifting into gear, he took her hand and didn’t release it until they pulled in front of her duplex in Queens.

Chapter 13
    A shton Hageman-Dale was in a whirlwind of activity preparing for the “big meeting.” Deborah’s adoptive parents agreed to come into the city to meet Natalie and Ted and were due at any moment. Ashton thought they’d have agreed to anything just to have a paid-for night out in Manhattan. Natalie’s apartment in the Village would be a little snug for such a big crowd, and you could hear the disappointment in Beverly Phillips’s voice when she was told the meeting would take place uptown.
    “Oh, I so love Greenwich Village,” she said. “But the Upper East Side is very nice. Can I bring anything?”
    “No, but thank you! I’ve got everything under control,” Ashton said. Ted was in the den pretending to read the paper while Ashton scurried around getting the meal ready.
    “You need to snap out of your coma, my friend. Your daughter’s family is due momentarily, and you need to get in the shower, for God’s sake.”
    Ted dragged himself up off the couch. “Whose idea was this, anyway? I would have been just as happy meeting them downtown at a coffee shop,” Ted complained.
    Ashton stood in the doorway of the den, looking at Ted with pity.
    “You are a mess,” he said. “What’s going on? I thought you were excited about meeting the parents.”
    “Excited