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“Missy, I was watching the match.”
“I was deep in the field. You must be big tennis guy.”
“I like sports. All sports. People striving for the best of themselves. I love watching the up and comers. You know, AAA ball, and qualifying matches, things like that. Don’t even get me started on the Olympic trials. That’s where you see the hunger.”
“Does Alex know that?”
“Not yet. I didn’t realize it was you until he told us about your dual monikers.”
“The knees are good, ache from time to time, but I keep up my game a bit.”
“He said you still play. That’s gumption.”
I cross my arms in front of me. “That’s lunacy. And I don’t like any exercise as much. Also, I enjoy making guttural sounds in an appropriate atmosphere.”
“You were good.” He winces as he tries to move.
“I still am.” He winks at me. “How’s the leg?”
“Terrible. Broken. How’s my son?”
“Good.”
“You know I’m not going to settle for that, right?”
I uncross my arms and lean in. “I do. He probably needs another vacation, but he’s immersed. He’s busy. Not as manic or as occupied as last fall. He seems to be taking election downtime to expand his company. They’re producing six new podcasts and are close to a deal with HBO for his docuseries on battleground states to air before the elections next November. He’s much more fascinated with the overall scheme of the world than getting mired in partisan politics.”
“I knew bits and pieces of all of this. Thanks for filling in the gaps. He never seems to have time anymore to talk.” He waggles his eyebrows at me.
“You’re most welcome.” I point to him.
“You light up a bit when you talk about him.”
“Probably just the copious amount of champagne I’ve had today.”
“Are you in this for the long haul, Tess?”
“We’re simply exploring the idea of being together. We both work incredibly hard and tend to put that first. I will say he’s my favorite person right now.”
“I like that.” He nods at me.
“Me too.”
“Alex’s mother is still my favorite person. But the two of you need to watch out what you place value in.”
“I know all about your former career and your life choices.”
“Well, those were mine to make. I don’t regret a single one of them. But work can get lonely. I’m not sure my boy doesn’t treat it like a religion.”
“Good to know. But I understand. I’m also obsessed with work. But here’s a secret, I don’t think I can handle more than a week apart from him.”
“Christmas plans make sense, now.” I grin, then he says, “I won’t tell him. But you should.”
“Tell him what?” I ask innocently.
“That you’re in love with my son, Tess McGuire.”
I squirm in my chair as my face flushes and my belly warms. He’s right. I won’t tell him until I’m sure it won’t scare him. I squeeze his arm. A nurse walks in to check his IV, and I take the opportunity to leave and find some air to refill my lungs after he knocked the wind out of me.
