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“You don’t have to tell me twice, honey. That would be amazing. Just come find me before you leave. I’ll be buried in my office, as usual.” He smiles, grabbing the huge stack of files he brought into the conference room and walks out.
I feel like I’ve been staring at my computer screen for days. My eyes burn, my head is pounding . . . the last thing I probably need right now is a glass of wine, but it’s the only thing keeping me from having a full-blown emotional meltdown right now.
I grab my purse and head to the bathroom to touch up my makeup before giving Alex a call.
“Hey,” he says softly when he picks up. Call me crazy, but it almost sounds like he’s smiling. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, just wanted to make sure Chloe got off the bus okay and Blaire made it there.”
“They did.” His voice sounds low, like he’s trying to be quiet.
“Thanks again for watching Chloe for a bit while I stay at work. Did she do her homework?”
He chuckles. “Yeah, I didn’t even have to ask. She came right in, sat at the counter, and did it while I made her a snack.” My heart feels like it jumps into my throat. “She’s talking to Blaire right now, filling her in on her recentHe-Manobsession.”
“I bet Blaire is enjoying that.” I laugh nervously. This is a good thing. He’s a good man. A man who has shown a genuine interest in my daughter and puts her safety first. A man I can trust. A man who wants to see Chloe and me succeed and be happy . . . but it isn’t real, because he’s been hired to keep us safe. We’resupposedto be able to trust him. He’s required to put our safety first.
“Should I throw something in the oven for dinner?” he asks. The feeling I’ve been ignoring begins to bubble in my stomach—the feeling that, if I keep ignoring it, will end up in heartbreak. We aren’t playing house and we certainly aren’t in a relationship.
“Nah. Listen, I’m leaving in a few. I’m going to bring Brett home to join Blaire and me for a glass of wine. Blaire can take over with Chloe, so don’t worry about anything else. I’ll get her dinner ready when I get home.”
“Okay, sounds good. Just an FYI, Luka will be on your tail tonight heading home.”
“Thanks,” I say before hanging up and walking back to my office to grab the rest of my things and get Brett.
“So, before we get back to your place and you act all coy, any developments between you and security boy?”
“Security boy?” I roll my eyes. “That makes me sound like a cougar.”
“Oh, please. You’re 30, which means I’m about to be 32, which means we are both still young spring chickens, because I refuse to ever get old.”
“We’ve . . . taken things to the next level,” I say sheepishly, but Brett’s loud gasp makes me laugh. “Okay, relax, it’s nothing serious. But before you get excited, I’ve decided I’m putting an end to it.”
“Aw, you’re no fun. Why?” He pouts.
“Because I know where this is headed, and it’s not good,” I say, pulling up in front of my house. “And for the record, I haven’t told Blaire, so . . .” I run my fingers over my lips like I’m zipping them.
“Scout’s honor.”
When we walk through the front door, the entire house smells like Little Italy. “What smells so good?” I drop my bag by the front door and make my way into the kitchen, where Blaire spins around at the stove.
“It’s my famous lasagna.” She smiles. “Chlo told me it’s her favorite dish; she likes it even more than yours.”
“Chloe!” I grab at my heart dramatically.
“Sorry, Mom, but it’s soooo good.”
“I know it is, sweetie.” I walk over and kiss her forehead. “And I don’t blame you. Aunt Blaire’s lasagna is the absolute best.”
“How do these two wines sound?” Alex says, coming around the corner. “Oh, hi, didn’t realize you were home.” Blaire walks over and grabs the two bottles from his hands and looks them over.
“I told him to grab two reds for tonight,” she says to me before turning back to Alex. “Those are great choices, thank you. Oh, and would you be a dear and reach the wine glasses for me?” she says in a sweet voice. Brett looks over at me.
“I can grab them,” I say, quickly jumping in front of Alex and flinging open the kitchen cabinet. I grab two, but the third is just out of reach. I’m on my tiptoes, reaching, when I feel Alex’s hand settle on my waist, his chest against my back as he leans over me and grabs the glass. “I said I can grab them,” I say a little more harshly than necessary. I can feel Blaire’s eyes on me, but I ignore her stare.
“Sorry,” Alex says, stepping back with his hands raised. “Looks like you guys have a nice night prepared, so I’ll go ahead and exit. I’m going to do some rounds and then I’ll b—”
“Nonsense.” Blaire waves away his comment as she opens the oven door. “You’re going to eat with us,” she says, pulling out a large tray of lasagna, the cheese brown and bubbling on top. “Go do your patrol, but when you come back in, there will be a place setting for you.” She makes direct eye contact with me for a second before smiling at Alex.
