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The plane lands with a gentle bump and taxies up to the terminal. I thank Immi and Sam, then head across the tarmac with my case, and exit the gate.
I see him immediately, standing waiting, hands in the pockets of his trousers, and my heart leaps. He smiles, and I leave my case and run up to him, throwing my arms around his neck.
“Whoa!” he says, stiffening. “Alice!”
I step back, only then noticing his long brown coat, his white Converses, and the fact that he’s not wearing glasses.
“Shit,” I say, stepping back, “Saxon?”
He laughs. “Kip’s stuck in a meeting, so I said I’d come and pick you up. I’m so sorry. I should have messaged you.”
“It’s okay. I suppose I should have made the connection. But Kip didn’t actually wear glasses for very long when we were together.” I realize what I’m implying, and my face heats.
Saxon smirks, then pulls me toward him and gives me a hug. “It’s good to see you again. Happy birthday!”
I hug him back, touched. “Thank you. I hear you’re a married man!”
“Yeah, we got hitched up in the Bay of Islands while we were on holiday.” He releases me and collects my suitcase, and I walk with him across the lounge.
“I bet Catie was excited,” I say, glancing up at the huge model of Gandalf astride the eagle fromThe Lord of the Ringsthat’s suspended from the ceiling.
“Yeah, she didn’t expect it.”
“How is she feeling?”
“She’s good. Blooming.”
“As are you,” I say as we exit the airport.
He laughs. “Yeah maybe.”
“Being married suits you.”
“Oh, I think I’d agree with that. There’s something about putting a ring on your girl’s finger so that every other guy knows to steer clear.” He gives me a mischievous smile before checking the traffic and crossing the road to the car park.
I follow him, liking his somewhat possessive description of being married. It’s strange, though. He and Kip are identical. Same eyes, same nose, pretty much the same short beard and hair. I don’t get the tingle with Saxon, though. Why is that? Is it possible I won’t get it with Kip now either? Was it all in my head? This isn’t helping my nerves.
I clear my throat. “So how’s Kip? Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he’s really sorry he couldn’t be here to meet you.”
“He’s meeting with Jack Evans, right? Genica’s CEO.”
Saxon looks surprised. “He did this morning, yeah.”
“About MOTHER?”
“That’s right.” He stops and opens the passenger door of his car.
“Wow, I forgot you drove an Aston.”
“Yeah. Boyhood dream. I wanted to be James Bond.”
I give him a wry look and slide into the seat, and he grins and closes the door. I buckle myself in, my heart hammering. These guys aren’t just wealthy, they’re mega rich. What the hell am I doing here?
Saxon gets in, buckles his seat belt, starts the car, reverses out, and sets off.
I try to act casual, as if I’m used to traveling in 007’s car every day. “So Kip met with Jack to nail down the production of the hardware?”
