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“I am,” her stepbrother agreed, “but don’t try to change the subject. What happened?”
“He’s doing well for himself.”Very well. “Starting a new investment firm here in New York City. The Pearson Group.”
Finn let out a low whistle. “I’ve heard about them. Grant’s heading it?”
“Yeah. CEO and a couple other titles.” She smiled slightly. “He’s achieved a lot.”
“Apparently. Did he book The Flower Bell? Was he nice to you?”
“No, and...coldly polite would be a better way to describe it.”
Finn frowned. “If he knew what you went through—”
“He doesn’t, and he’s not going to,” Alexandra said firmly. “There’s no point in rehashing the past. I made my choice and I have to live with it. I let Father tell me what to do. I said horrible, awful things and I got him fired.”
“He threatened to deport Grant and his mother if you kept seeing him,” Finn retorted. “And then you got preg—”
“Finn!”
Finn stopped midsentence, eyes narrowed, a vein ticking in his forehead. Finn was the only one besides the doctor and nurses in the emergency room who knew what had happened that awful October night. He’d been the one to rush her to the hospital when, after a few weeks of feeling exhausted, she’d suddenly started to bleed as a sharp pain stabbed her abdomen. He’d held her hand as the doctor had delivered the horrifying news; that she was pregnant with Grant’s baby and was in the middle of miscarrying. He’d stayed with her at the hospital, cared for her at home and covered for her when she’d been bedridden the following week when David and Susan had come back from one of their frequent luxury vacations.
It had been the second of the two worst moments of her life. But if there were silver linings to be found, she could identify her tragedy as the turning point in her relationship with her stepbrother. They’d grown closer. Finn had matured almost overnight. When their worlds came crashing down just a couple months later, they’d had each other.
“I didn’t know Grant well,” Finn finally said. “But he seemed like a rational guy. And I do think he really cared for you, Alex.” He reached out again and squeezed her hand. “You could still tell him what happened.”
Not what I need to hear right now.
“No, Finn. Chances are I’ll never see Grant Santos again.”
“Good evening, Miss Waldsworth.”
The dark voice cut through the pleasant din of the bookshop. Alexandra closed her eyes, willing the deep, rich tones that wrapped around her with the familiarity of a lover’s caress to be a figment of her imagination.
“My apologies for interrupting your date.”
Her eyes flew open at the whiplike lash of words. She turned in her chair to see Grant Santos in all his handsome glory standing just a couple feet behind her chair. He’d changed out of the custom-tailored suit. Even in a more casual outfit of dark blue jeans and a cream-colored sweater stretched perfectly over his large shoulders, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, he exuded wealth and sophistication from the silver Rolex glinting on his wrist to the dark gray Barbour raincoat draped over one arm.
“Grant.” She mentally kicked herself. “Mr. Santos. What are you doing here?”
Grant’s brown eyes flicked from her face down to where Finn’s hand still rested on top of hers.
“I’m following up on your business proposal. It seems I’ve come at a bad time.”
Finn stood and held out his hand.
“Long time, no see, Grant.”
Grant’s thick eyebrows drew together before recognition dawned on his face. Alexandra bit back a smile as his lips parted, the only sign of surprise. Grant glanced down at Finn’s outstretched hand and let it hang in the air for a moment before shaking it.
“I didn’t recognize you, Finley.”
“Not having a stick shoved so far up where the sun doesn’t shine probably helps.”
Grant didn’t even crack a smile.
“Yes.”
Finn chuckled. “Still a straight shooter.”
