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Juliette told me before the program started that Alex would prefer it if I didn’t stay with Finn during his treatment. At first I felt a flare of indignation—I know my boy better than anyone, and I have a right to be present. What if he needs me? He’s very self-conscious about the fact that he has no control over some of his bodily functions. It’s bad enough that I have to leave him with an assistant at school.
But after the first session, I realized that Alex wants to build his own relationship with Finn, and he doesn’t want me interfering with that.
It stung at first, and not just because of Finn. I know I cold-shouldered Alex when I refused his offer of a trip in his helicopter, but I’m woman enough to be hurt that he’s not taking the opportunity to spend as much time with me as he can. But now, watching them together, I understand. He’s putting Finn first. He really does want to help him, not just to get him walking, but to be there for the boy who’s lost his father and who’s struggling physically and emotionally.
Well, doesn’t that just turn me into a mushy puddle for this man?
This afternoon, he’s in smart mode again—he’s wearing a dark-gray suit that fits him like a dream, a crisp light-blue shirt, and a sedate dark-blue tie. His hair is neatly combed—he obviously remembered to use product today. I can’t smell his cologne from here, but I know what it would smell like because I’ve been dreaming about it—that delicious spicy vanilla scent. I’m trying not to obsess about this guy, but to be honest, when most of my dreams are haunted and full of shadows, it’s a relief when he appears in them, even if he is glaring at me.
I bite my lip. I’m a grieving widow, and I’m not supposed to be showing interest in other men. But Juliette is turning out to be a firm friend, and somehow I don’t think she’ll pass judgment on me.
“Is he married?” I whisper to her.
She shakes her head and murmurs back, “He’s single. Hasn’t dated anyone that I know of since last year.”
“Why? He’s gorgeous. He must have women falling over themselves.” My gaze lingers on his face as he listens to Finn speak. He has nice, neat eyebrows, not haywire and bushy like some guys have. Is it weird I’ve noticed that?
“Don’t know,” Juliette says. “He’s never been one of those guys who’s permanently got a woman on his arm. He’s had two, maybe three, longish-term relationships that have ended quietly, without drama.”
“He doesn’t talk about any girls? Go on Tinder, you know, rate them out of ten, talk about what they’re like in bed or anything?”
“Lord, no. He’d never do that. None of the guys here would, to be fair, but Alex is more respectful than most. He’s openly disapproving of that sort of thing. He bollocked one of our junior programmers recently because he commented on a girl’s figure when she walked past. I’ve told him several times he’s far too strait-laced.”
I kinda like that about him, though. I don’t mind my son spending time with a man like that.
“Does he live on his own?” I ask. “I know that’s a nosy question.”
“Oh yeah. He has a huge house out on one of those private country estates where you need a code to get through the gate. You know he’s loaded, right?”
My face warms. “That’s not why I was asking.”
“Yeah, I know, I’m just saying. His mum is the actress, Kaitlyn Cross?”
“No… really?” Oh my God, she’s super famous.
“Yeah. She put some money into a fund for when he came of age. He invested the majority of it in Kia Kaha when he left uni. Well, James has a younger sister who has chronic asthma. While they were at uni, as part of a project for their final year, they created this piece of equipment that measures a kid’s peak flow. It’s connected to a screen that has a rabbit wearing a hat, and the kid has to blow in the tube and try to blow the rabbit’s hat off. It’s so simple, but it’s really effective, and it can be produced relatively cheaply, so kids can have one at home. Have you heard of the Three Wise Men?”
“I’m guessing you don’t mean the ones from the Christmas carol?”
“Well, that’s where they got the name—their surname is King. They run a company that makes medical equipment for children. They bought the patent, and they also bought patents for a dozen other pieces of equipment, most of them invented by Alex. That’s where they’ve made a lot of their money.”
“Wow. I didn’t realize he did all that.”
“I’m not surprised. He’s a very private guy. Hard to get to know.”
“You like him, though, as a person?”
She smiles. “He’s one of my very best friends. He works so hard. Always has. It was a struggle at uni to get him to leave his computer and come out with us all. He’s incredibly driven andsmart as, and he’s loyal to a fault. He’s calm in a crisis and laid back most of the time—he only ever raises his voice when I wind him up.”
“I find that appealing. I haven’t even heard him swear yet.”
“He doesn’t, even with us. I’ve sometimes wondered whether he does in the sack.” She gives me a mischievous smile.
“Juliette,” I scold.
“Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it. He’s so prim and proper. Such a good boy. Do you reckon he’s a tiger when he lets loose?”
I can’t risk thinking about him in bed—I think I’d implode. “I just wish he’d smile more.”
