I stare at his hand as he grips my shoulder and squeezes.
Oh fuck, now I’ve got people feeling sorry for me.
Not what I want going around the office.
“No, it’s more the silence. Lottie lives with me full time now, and her mum has moved to Italy,” I tell him.
He grins. “Ah, teenagers. Noise and money pits. Mine cost a fortune. Always wanting the latest gadget and don’t mention the school fees.”
He grins and rolls his eyes.
My spine stiffens.
Is that what this is? Someone selling me out for money?
I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to stem the headache forming behind my eyes.
The elevator reaches the lobby, and I step out. Todd claps me on the back.
“Get some rest. Things here will be fine without you.”
“Thanks, Todd. I appreciate it,” I say, almost through gritted teeth.
Little does he know, or maybe he does. Things haven’t been running without me. My divorce from Darra took my concentration and look at what’s happened. My company is oneof the few things I have left, having given Darra everything else in order to ensure Lottie’s adoption.
I make my way onto the street. It’s warm, the summer sun reflecting off the surrounding office buildings, trapping the heat at street level. I hail a taxi, too tired to walk to Gabriel’s office. I need to see him. Thank him for arranging Pen, but also give him a brotherly bollocking for overstepping. In all honesty, the second point I’ll let go. I’m not sure what I’d have done without her. Although her skills have raised more questions than answers. I wonder if Gabe knows more about Pen’s life. The thought bothers me more than it should.
The taxi pulls up outside, and I climb out, making my way into his reception.
The main lobby calls up and announces my arrival. Amanda, his PA, is waiting for me by the elevator when it opens.
“It’s a busy day today,” she says, and I shoot her a questioning look, making her smile. “Leah is here with little Callum, and Ms Dawson has just arrived. They’re all in Gabriel’s office if you would like to join them.”
My heart thunders at the mention of Pen’s name. I need to speak to Gabe, not face the one person who has invaded my thoughts all morning. I realise it’s not only the company that has taken my focus but the woman I sat beside all night. A woman who’s driven me insane from the moment I met her over eighteen years ago. A woman who’s always been just out of reach and is now moving even further away.
It’s not how I always saw us. At one point, there had been hope, but fate had other plans for us then, and it seems like now. She will forever bethe one who got away.
Kristophe is a lucky man.
Amanda bustles me forward and knocks on Gabriel’s door, opening it before I can stop her.
“Gabriel, your brother is here,” she says, pushing the door wider so Gabriel and the other occupants of the room can see me.
I take in the scene in front of me. Gabriel is sitting smiling at his wife while Pen is grinning on her hands and knees. Her ass is in the air as she operates the plastic figure, dancing on the carpet in front of her while my nephew shrieks with laughter. Her boots are missing. Instead, her brightly coloured socks stand out against her black trousers. Who knew?
It’s at that moment Callum looks up.
“Unc Lij,” he squeals, clambering up and stumbling towards me. He staggers, and I scoop him up into my arms, swinging him into the air. I grin as he squishes my cheeks in his tiny hands.
“Hey, scamp, how are you?” I ask him, my exhaustion suddenly gone.
“Good,” he says. “Throw,” he adds, and I shake my head.
He loves me throwing him in the air and catching him. I’m his giant uncle.
“Not inside, buddy, no head banging, or Daddy and Mummy will be cross with me.”
His bottom lip pops out, and he looks over my shoulder.
