He chuckles again, irritating the hell out of me; a low rumble barely audible, but with his usual hint of snark.
After a few minutes of silence, he speaks. “I don’t know why you don’t stay at my house. Did Finn tell you I offered?”
The leather beneath me creaks again as I shuffle uncomfortably. “Yes, he told me, but my babysitting days are over.”
“I told you we’re not together anymore. And enough with the digs. I could talk about your exes, you know.”
“I’d like to see you try.” I huff out a laugh. There’s been no one for years. Not even a one-night stand. The menopause has seen to that.
“What about you and the prime minister?”
I glare at him. “Don’t you even dare go there. As if I would.”
“You seem pretty tight to me.”
“It’s my job. If you must know, I can’t stand the weasel. I’m just biding my time for his position.”
“Ah yes, I forgot you lot are a bunch of backstabbing bastards.”
“Like you with your cutthroat property deals.” I fold my arms over my chest. “At least I’m trying to make a difference in the world. You’re just lining your own pockets.”
“So are they.” He huffs. “You weren’t complaining when I was funding your campaigns back in the day.”
I turn in my seat to study him as he drives. On the outside, he’s the same man I fell in love with. Apart from the creases around his eyes and the greying hair and stubble. He’s more buff now, too. He was always slender, but now he’s filled out. Same as me, only mine’s the midlife midriff, his is a midlife crisis with his new sports car, new body, and until recently, new woman.
Alex always supported my vision of a better Britain, and I always supported his development business, but ironically that’s what came between us in the end. He wanted to pursue his own career and his developments business was taking up more and more of his time overseas. I guess he chose that over me. His work always came first.
He’s done well for himself and I couldn’t be prouder, but the man before me isn’t the same person he once was. There’s no sparkle in his eyes, as if he’s all business and no pleasure. I can relate. Working as the chancellor of the exchequer is no picnic either.
“So, about staying at my place? The offer still stands. I have plenty of room. You wouldn’t see me.”
“I’m staying with Finn.” A smile spreads across my face as I think of spending time with my son and his fiancée. “What’s she like?”
“Who?”
“Shelly.”
“She’s…” His lips curve. “She’s a lot like you were when we were young. Headstrong. Passionate.” He pauses for a moment. “Stubborn.”
“Sounds like we’ll get on.” My heart swells at thoughts of having a daughter. I always wanted more children, but work has kept me busy, unable to find love after Alex, let alone expand my family.
“You’ll get along if Finn leaves her alone long enough for you to speak.” His shoulders shake with a silent laugh.
“Well, thank goodness they worked it out. He was miserable when he came back to the UK.”
Alex nods. “She brings out the best in him, that’s for sure.” He takes his eyes from the road to glance at me. “Like I said, she reminds me of you when you were young.” His eyes linger for a beat too long before he refocuses on the road.
There’s a sadness in his eyes, tinged with a little regret, mirroring my own emotions. Now that we’re older, I can see things from a different perspective.
We may have it all with our careers and financial stability and a wonderful son who we raised together, but looking back, I wish I’d spent less time at work.
Alex drives over the river into Magnolia Point, heading towards the coast. With the tourist season over, the town seems peaceful. “I’ll drop you off at his rental.”
“Thank you.” Candy canes line the entrance to the resort, reminding me it’s Christmas next week. With the warm weather in South Carolina, it feels more like an English summer than Christmas time.
Lights wrap around palm trees on the side of the road, transporting me back in time to our family holiday in Palm Springs. A whimsical smile spreads across my face as I remember Finn as a child.
It was our last family holiday before Alex and I divorced. But there were some wonderful memories from that trip. One that stands out is when Finn knocked over his paints onto Alex’s cream suit right before a business dinner. But that was Alex, never missing a networking opportunity, even if it was Christmas Day.
