“I told them you would. I remember how you looked after me, but I worried that you might have forgotten.”
He rolled up his sleeve and showed her the tattoo on his forearm. “Though I wouldn’t have forgotten. You were the one good thing in my life.”
She blinked away a tear. “God, we’re going to get maudlin. I can see it.”
“No, we won’t. I’m so happy to see you.” He opened his arms, and she stepped into them, and he hugged her close. Finally, he held her away from him. “Sit down. I’ll make us both a coffee. We can talk.”
“Lexi told me you were in the army,” she said, taking a seat at the table and resting her head on her hands as she watched him move around the kitchen. He couldn’t believe how comfortable he felt with her. He’d expected a level of awkwardness that wasn’t there. “And that you have medals and everything.”
“One medal and a few scars. I joined after you were adopted. There wasn’t a lot else I could do. I was seventeen and had totally flunked at school.”
“That’s because you were looking after me. I know what you did for me, how you took care of me. I can hardly remember our mother.”
He gave a rueful smile. “Probably best that way. You plan to look her up?”
“I don’t think so. Do you ever see her?”
For a second, he hesitated, taking his time filling the mugs from the coffee pot as he considered his answer. She was Evie’s mother after all. Maybe they should have a chance. But he knew deep down that their mother would never care for anyone but herself. Better Evie understood that now. “No. Though she contacted me a couple of years ago.”
“She wanted to see you?”
“Hell, no. Someone had told her I was doing okay. She wanted money.”
“And you told her where to go, I hope.”
“Sort of. I gave her the money and told her to stay the hell away from me.” He took a sip of coffee. “What about your new family?”
“They’re wonderful. I got lucky, I guess. And I have a younger brother and sister as well. Both adopted like me.”
“That’s good. I’m glad it worked out for you.”
“They want to meet you. Will you and Lexi come for dinner one night?”
“I’d like that.” Though he didn’t mention that Lexi would likely be out of his life by then. He didn’t want to think about that, let alone put it into words.
“And you? How are you doing? Lexi seems wonderful, and I love your house.”
“It’s Lexi’s house.”
“But she’s your wife.”
“It’s complicated.”
She studied him, her head cocked to one side. “Tell me.”
And somehow he found himself telling her the whole story of how he’d married Lexi for money. Well, maybe not the whole thing. He still couldn’t put into words how he felt.
She placed her mug on the table and pursed her lips. “So you’re going to give up and just walk away?”
“It’s what we agreed.” And he didn’t do emotional attachments. And he needed to walk away before he got in too deep. He’d promised himself he would never give anyone that power over him again, because it led to nothing but pain.
Except here was Evie. She’d never forgotten him, and she loved him.
“Yes,” Evie said. “But that was before you fell in love with her.”
He sat for a moment, staring at his hands. Of course he fucking loved her. Christ, he was already in way too deep, over his head and drowning. It had probably been too late that first moment when he’d stepped through her office door and she’d leaped for him and kissed him.
“Yeah. But that doesn’t change anything. Lexi doesn’t need someone like me in her life. She’s rich and educated and…good.”
“What do you mean someone like you?” Evie sounded outraged. “You’re my brother. That makes you perfect. And good enough for anyone.”
That’s what families should be for. To give you unequivocal approval. Love without conditions. Could he do that? Maybe he’d mess up. Maybe they both would. But also maybe he deserved the chance to try.
Did Lexi really love him? Or was it her fantasy husband she loved?
“I’m pretty sure she loves you,” Evie said.
He smiled. “You only met her for a few minutes.”
“She told me you’d be the best brother ever.”
“She did?”
“She believes in you.”
Now, all he had to do was believe in himself—and somehow convince Lexi to give them both another chance.
…
Lexi had told them to meet her in the coffee bar at the Ritz. She’d thought a public place would be better. If her grandmother lost her cool, she’d be less likely to make a scene in front of strangers.
“No husband today, Alexia?” her grandmother said as she took a seat opposite Lexi. Daniel sat beside her, then Harry on one side of Lexi, Melissa on the other. She twitched with the need to escape.