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“My heart.” He rubbed the spot where his heart was beating somewhat irregularly. “Just a blip, but my physician wants me to slow things down. He is advising me to take a long cruise—"he grimaced at that. “I am not a fan of sitting around with a bunch of idlers and staring at the sea.”
“Some of them are actually on vacation.” There was a slight note of amusement in her voice and got a snort for her effort.
“I am going to have to take things a little easier.” He stared at her for a minute. “I just want to see my son settled.” He sighed. “I have made a lot of damn mistakes.
Was never there for him and his mother and used my position here to screw women who could not hold a candle to my wife. I did all of that and I am now regretting every damn minute of it. I want my son back, Anika, and I am hoping that you will help me accomplish that.”
“How—"
“He respects you. I know you might think that because of who he is and the way he looks—"He smiled wistfully and turned his head to look at the life-sized portrait of a woman wearing a stunning green gown that highlighted her alabaster skin. Her thick honey-blonde hair was swept back from a heart-shaped face.
She was smiling, green eyes twinkling as if she was privy to a secret no one else knew. And the resemblance between her and her son was remarkable. “He is not like me. He could have used his looks and fortune to have any woman he wanted, but he is loyal. He has a good head on his body.”
He turned back around to stare at the woman in front of him. “The papers, the internet made him out to be a playboy, but that is just rumors. I know him. He saw the way I cheated on his mother and it turned him into a cynic. Part of the reason, I imagine, is that he had never been able to settle into a relationship.”
Anika had listened and absorbed everything he said. She had been about to tell him that it was between her and Jaylen. But something, not just the words, but the tone of the man’s voice had her reining in her original remarks.
“We got married in an unorthodox way. I would want to think that marriage should be built on a solid foundation and even then, there is no guarantee that it is going to last. You are a perfect example.”
“And yet, that unorthodox beginning can turn into something unexpected,” he pointed out.
“Jaylen and I barely know each other," she protested.
“And yet you get along. He came to see you. I have my spies,” he told her with a faint smile as she gave him a questioning stare. “The source also told me that he spent a few minutes inside with the doors locked. I know my son, he would not have done that, if he was not interested.” He shrugged. “I am a man on a mission.”
“And your mission is to see that we stay together.”
“Something like that.”
Her phone pinged and he encouraged her to get it.
“It might be him.”
“All the more reason to answer.”
With a nod, she fished it out of her jacket pocket, a smile touching her lips that had James’ suspicions confirmed.
“Hey.” She listened for a minute, her smile widening. “You are making it up. Oh please. As if I would believe you.” She lifted her head, realizing that she had an avid audience. “I am here with your dad and I cannot discuss that now.” She turned away and lowered her voice.
“Go to sleep Jaylen and leave me be.” She listened again and burst out laughing. “God, you are annoying and I am not saying that. Okay fine. I miss you too. Now I have to work.” She hung up and put away her phone, fiddled with her iPad for a minute. “He said hello.”
“Did he?”
Her impish smile came and he found himself enchanted. Funny, he had noticed how beautiful she was and of course talented, but this was a different side altogether.
“Among other things.” She rose. “I don’t know how this is going to work out between us and I have been giving some thought to the matter. I am …. conflicted.”
She shook her head. “It is much more than that. We are supposed to be doing this talk show deal when he gets back and—” She laughed breathlessly. “I really miss him. He can be a pain, but—"She shook her head again. “I have work. There is something I need to run by you before I send out the press release.”
“I trust your judgment. Anika.” He stopped her as she turned to leave. “You are good for him.”
She nodded, hesitating slightly. “You should try reaching out to him when he gets back. I was thinking we should have dinner. That would be a start.”
“And I would be forever grateful,” he said humbly.
“Don’t get your hopes up about us. It might be a thing now, but we might find that we want to part ways after the year.”
“And how do you feel about that?”
