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‘Thank you, Alex,’ she said, turning her head to look over at him.
‘For what? You paid for your own ticket.’ He was still slightly exasperated with her over that. He’d wanted to spoil her. Make her feel special. Make up to her for what her mean and disgustingly unfair father had done. She’d told him a few more details about her father’s appalling treatment last night. It had made him so angry, he’d felt like driving up to Singleton and teaching the man a lesson. When questioned about her mother, Harriet had also confessed that she sent her mother birthday and Mother’s Day cards every year, with money enclosed, but never received a reply. How heartbreaking was that?
‘Thank you for persuading me to come with you,’ she said with the loveliest smile.
He reached over and took her hand in his. ‘My pleasure,’ he said softly.
* * *
Once again, Harriet’s heart turned over and this time she noticed. For a split second she started worrying that she was falling in love with Alex, but just as quickly she decided to ignore any such worry. What would be, would be. She wasn’t going to spoil this trip by stressing over future complications. She was going to have fun. And live in the moment.
A flight attendant materialised by their seats, with a tray holding glasses of champagne.
‘Champagne, sir? Madam?’ he asked.
‘The lady doesn’t drink champagne,’ Alex replied.
‘Can I get you anything else, sir? Some white wine, perhaps?’
‘When will you be serving dinner?’
‘About half an hour after take-off.’
‘We’ll have a bottle of wine with our meals. Perhaps some juice for now. What kind, Harriet?’
‘I prefer orange,’ she replied.
‘Orange juice for two,’ Alex relayed.
‘Very good, sir. I’ll be back shortly.’
Harriet loved the way Alex took command of situations. It had been sweet of him to remember about the champagne, and very sweet of him to insist on coming to pick her up today when it had been really out of his way. She could just have easily caught a taxi. She was glad she hadn’t; his authoritative presence defused her tension over the trip, replacing anxiety with excitement, especially after he’d reassured her that everything was under control at the office. She had momentarily contemplated telling Emily about her affair with Alex. But only momentarily. She didn’t want Emily to say anything negative or critical.
Of course, it was probably silly of her to have let Alex persuade her to accompany him to Italy. Nothing could come of it. Nothing except...
Harriet brought herself up short before she could start thinking of the future again. Instead, she concentrated on the plusses of her affair with Alex. After all, how could she possibly regret having him as her lover? He was incredibly good in bed; last weekend had been the most amazing experience of her life. He was good out of bed, too, proving to be a fun companion, nothing at all like his often serious persona at work. As for this trip... Harriet vowed to enjoy every single moment. The prospect of spending more time alone with Alex was exciting enough, but to spend that time with him in stunning places like Lake Como and Venice was almost too good to be true. She had to keep glancing over at him to remind herself that it was true.
‘Yes?’ he queried after she’d probably looked at him one time too many.
‘Nothing. Just checking that you’re real.’
The steward arrived with the orange juice, relieving Harriet of having to explain her rather cryptic remark. It was freshly squeezed juice, and deliciously chilled, just the way she liked it. Harriet sipped it and sighed.
‘I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fly anything but business class from now on,’ she said.
‘That can be arranged,’ Alex said. ‘I was thinking of taking you to Rio during our Christmas break.’
Harriet’s heart skipped a beat at the thought that he was planning so far ahead. Christmas was five months away. As much as she was tempted just to say yes to anything he suggested, she could not afford to let him think she would settle for being his secret mistress for the rest of her life.
Her smile was light. ‘What happened to the Alex who said I should just live for the here and now?’
‘He was a fraud. And an opportunist. I’ve always been a planner, Harry. Just like you.’
‘Well, that’s a shame. Because I think that that particular Alex might have had the right idea. I’ve always worried too much about the future. Always planned too much. And where did it get me in the end? Nowhere.’
‘I don’t know about that, Harry. You have a nice flat near Bondi Beach, money in the bank, the best boss in the world and an even better lover.’
