"Something for Ace," Alex says, scribbling down his findings. "I went ahead and ordered pizza as a treat. I wasn't sure which one you'd like, so I got three different ones to pick from."
"Thanks," I say with a big smile.
He hasn't got a shirt on, and I can't help but stare at his chest. He has a garden path of hair down his belly leading lower. I have to avert my eyes when I realise Alex is watching me.
“Come on Eden, it’s Gemma’s day off.” She runs to her father, hugging him. “I’ll shout you when it’s ready.”
Chapter
Fourteen
ALEX
Pink isn't my colour—nota hot pink Lamborghini. I need a different car for Gemma because this situation isn’t working for me.
I decide to walk to work today. Once I'm there and loaded up on coffee, I look through some adverts on my phone until something catches my eye. I push away from my desk and head out of my office.
Fern has just placed the phone down on the receiver. She is the complete opposite of Gemma: responsible, sensible, and professional. I don't think I'd like Gemma if she were any of those things.
“I’m going out,” I tell Fern as I walk past.
“James is coming to see you. There is another issue with the new app,” she says.
“Fine. How long will he be? I need to be back here by twelve.” I look at my watch, I should get going.
“Two minutes. He said it won’t take long.”
I go back to my office and sit down.
One hour later, I’m the proud owner of a ‘new’ Volvo. I want to surprise Gemma, so I take it home without saying anything to her.
I shout her name as I walk through the door.
“In here. Why are you home?” Her muffled voice floats through the house. She sounds strained.
I run up the stairs and watch from the door of my bedroom. She’s caught up in my quilt cover.“What are you doing? I asked you to make the beds, not wrestle with them.” I chuckle. She is completely consumed by the quilt, lying flat on the bed.
“I’m stuck! Why is this so hard?” she grumbles.
“To change the sheets? It isn’t. You make it hard. Get out.”
“I don’t know how,” she moans.
“What do you mean you don’t know how?” I reach for the corner where her feet are sticking out.
“I’m lost,” she says, exasperated.
“It’s not Wonderland.” I open the end of the bedding for her. She tries to free herself but her legs are just hanging out of the bed. How is she still stuck? “Why do I pay you?” I ask her, trying not to laugh.
“Because the children wanted me,”
“That’s the only reason?” I ask.
“You couldn’t get anyone else in time.” Her body is still halfway in. She climbs out carefully as she is wearing a pleated cream mini skirt. I catch a glimpse of the edges of her black thong.
“You’re a pain in the arse. Here.” I help her fix the quilt. “You live here rent-free, don’t forget. Self-invited too, might I add.”
“Good job I did,” she says out of breath. Now she’s out, she smooths down her skirt. Her hair is flat and odd strands are stuck to her face.
