Page 55 of Marrying the Enemy

Dom absently picked him up and said, “It’s too cold for swimming.” He opened the door so the wind gusted into their faces.

Adio cuddled into his shoulder. “Brr.”

“Brr,” Dom repeated. “That’s right.” He closed the door and rubbed the boy’s narrow back. “Come visit when it’s summer. Then we’ll swim. Right now, I have to go see Auntie Evie.”

“Abby Ebie.”

“Exactly. Go put your boots on.” He set the boy on his feet and Adio toddled to his boots.

“Thanks, Astrid.” He could hardly look at her, finding that expression on her face too knowing, as though she saw all the way through him.

“Oh, you.” She hurried across and hugged him.

He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and squeezed, compressing the abraded sensations in his chest, but when he released her, they weren’t as bad as they’d been.

“It’s like hugging a balloon animal,” he said to cover how thin-skinned he felt.

“I dare you to say that to Eve once she’s pregnant.”

A stab of wistfulness pierced his chest. Would she still want that? Now that he understood how badly he’d hurt her, he didn’t know how he’d make it up to her.

“I really like her, you know,” Astrid said as she helped Adio with his jacket. “I can’t help thinking you two were supposed to happen. Like it was fate or something.”

“You know you sound like a hippie when you talk like that?” He held her coat for her. “But I think that’s one of your most lovable qualities,” he added, squeezing her shoulders.

“Nice save.” She turned to face him. “Let me know how it goes, okay?”

“I will.” Then he did the unthinkable and took the initiative to hug her again.

“What are you doing here?” Eve’s heart lurched as Dom walked into the private waiting lounge at the hospital. “I thought you had a video chat with the team in London this morning?”

“I rescheduled. And brought brunch.” He began unpacking the two cloth bags onto the small dining table, setting out pastries, yogurt parfaits and egg sandwiches.

“That was thoughtful of you.” Ginny took a parfait and a spoon. “Thank you.”

“I’ll have one in a little while, thanks,” Eve said, shaking her head when he offered one. She didn’t mention there were ample meals available at the press of a button. This hospital catered to very wealthy patients. They ensured the comfort of families and caregivers during times of duress. “You don’t have to stay,” she added as he took off his overcoat. “It will be at least another hour, maybe two.”

“I’d like to.” He left his coat on a hook by the door. “Unless you’d rather I didn’t?” His expression shuttered.

“No, you can if you want to. It’s just that...” She hadn’t expected this of him. She was incredibly touched and searched his eyes, wondering what had prompted this. Basic decency? Or something more?

The longer she looked into his whiskey-colored eyes, the more her heart felt pinched.

“Oh. Right.” She remembered as Jackson walked in and came up short at the sight of Dom. “My brothers are coming.”

“Traffic was terrible,” Nico said as he came in behind Jackson and stepped around him. He nodded at them, then asked their mother, “Any news?”

“Not yet. Where’s Christo?” Ginny set aside her parfait and stood.

“Chatting up a nurse, where do you think?” Nico kissed her cheek then came to peruse the food.

Jackson hadn’t moved or spoken. In looks, he was a clone of Nico with more polish and style. Where Nico stuck to never-fail basics like a well-tailored, three-piece suit, Jackson wore things like striped trousers and chunky cardigans over a blue pullover and a winter scarf. They all would have teased him endlessly over his love of fashion if he didn’t always look so effortlessly sophisticated.

He was still holding Dom’s stare. Dom hadn’t moved, either. Not one blink.

“Jackson.” Ginny approached him. “It’s good to see you.”

“You too, Mom.” He had to break the stare first to kiss her cheek, then lifted his head to say to Dom, “Let’s go outside and talk.”

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