“I’ll see you over there when you’re ready, then.” He turns around and the muscles in his back are just as hypnotising as his abs. He’s clearly been working out.
I turn back into the bedroom with a huff. He probably has his own gym. Gazing at myself in the full-length mirror, I smooth a hand over my messy hair and rub my eyes. I was dreading meeting Alex in person again after all this time, and now he’s seen me at my worst.
The thing is, I’m not embarrassed like I thought I would be. I really don’t care. It’s not like I’m vying for his affection. The man dates thirty-year-olds as if he’s still in his youth. He wouldn’t look twice at me even if I wanted him to. Which I don’t.
Maybe a little.
Who am I kidding?
After dressing, I push the back door open to the big house and gingerly step over the threshold onto pristine white marble tiled floors.
“Merryssa, it’s such a pleasure to finally meet you.” A large elderly woman wraps me up in a hug.
Alex peers over his newspaper at the breakfast bar. “Merry, meet Blanche. Blanche, this is Merry.”
“I’ve heard so much about you. I feel like I know you already,” she says with a smile as she lets me go before squeezing me to death.
“Really?”
Alex sips on a black coffee.
“I’ve made a full breakfast. Please help yourself. There’s fresh coffee in the pot.” She waves a hand over the buffet set before me. “If you want me to make any special requests for dinner this evening, I can pick up the ingredients from town today.”
My eyes widen, wondering if she cooks all his meals. “I’ll have a think. Thank you.”
“I’ll get on with the rest of my duties, but please let me know if there’s anything you need.” She disappears into another room as I fill my plate with bacon, sausage, and egg.
“Lovely woman,” I say, climbing onto a stool across from Alex at the breakfast bar.
“Blanche has been with me since our divorce.” He sets the paper down on the counter.
My chest tightens as if something is squeezing my heart. The decision to put myself first and ask for a divorce was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do. I often question if I made the right decision, and if he’d have come home and begged me to reconsider, I probably would have.
I remind myself I did it for Finn. Alex has always put his career first. I know he was just trying to make a better life for us, like he had something to prove, but it was hard on Finn when Alex would fly out at the drop of a hat because he needed to be in Dubai or the US.
Things were much more stable after the divorce. Boundaries were set, and Finn knew when he was going to spend time with his father and when he would be with me. It was much more structured and forced Alex to schedule time with his son, rather than fleeting moments between deals.
“I’m surprised you’ve kept a member of staff so long. You must pay her well.” I snort out a laugh, knowing I couldn’t work for him. He can be extremely bossy and overbearing at times.
“Blanche is like family. She’s used to me.” He takes another sip of his coffee. “So, what are your plans today?”
I chew the food in my mouth and swallow it down. “I have some work to do. Then I’m meeting Shelly for lunch with her mum for her final dress fitting.” I pour a glass of orange juice. “I thought it was lovely that she invited me. Having a son, I thought I’d miss out on all the bridal fun.”
“She’s a thoughtful girl. Finn couldn’t have picked a better match. She’ll look after him.”
My spine bristles. “I hope I’ve raised a son who will also take care of his wife, and not some male chauvinist pig.”
“There's the woman I married. I wondered how long it would take for the claws to come out.” With a chuckle, he sets his coffee down, clinking against the saucer. “I hope you’re giving them all a run for their money in parliament.”
“Of course.” I shuffle in my seat, a smile curving my lips. “What are your plans today?”
“I have a few meetings.” He checks his watch. “I have to leave in a few minutes.” He sighs. “Max Cross wants to renegotiate theterms for the sale of his land. I swear, I’m losing patience with this man.”
“Where is it?” I blow into my cup of coffee.
“A place called Candy Cane Key. I’ll take you there, if Max Cross ever agrees on the sale. It’s a lovely little town, similar to here.” He checks his watch again. “The car’s here. I have to go. Are you going to be all right?” His brow wrinkles as if concerned. “If there’s anything you need, just ask Blanche.” He pulls out a business card. “This is my PA at the office if you can’t reach me, and I have a driver, Gaz. Or Gary if you want to call him by his proper name.” He hands me another business card. “He'll take you wherever you need to go.”
“I’ll be fine.”
