Page 45 of Embattled Ever After

Alex nodded. “I know it seems crazy,” she admitted.

“I’ve heard crazier,” he told her, not wanting to dash her hopes.

“He hasn’t contacted you though?” Shannon asked Duncan.

He shook his head. “Not a peep. Although, honestly, I didn’t expect him to.”

They settled into silence, broken only by the sound of the TV in the other room.

“Do you have a picture of him,” John asked. “I’ve never actually seen the man.”

Alex nodded, climbing to her feet. “Just a minute. Let me get my computer.”

Shannon leaned across the table toward Duncan. “You two look like you’re getting along great,” she whispered.

Duncan grinned with an enthusiasm John hadn’t seen on his friend’s face in a long time. “We are. She’s truly a remarkable woman.”

“It would be great if you fell in love and she’d move out here. Then your kids and ours could grow up together.”

Duncan barked out a laugh. “I’m not having kids,” he said firmly. “There’s no way in hell.”

***

Alex felt likea dagger had just been thrust into her heart. Her steps faltered and she almost dropped her computer on the table. Shannon looked up at her, guilt and sadness shining in her kind eyes. Alex knew she hadn’t meant to create a hurtful situation.

She avoided looking at Duncan, because if she did make eye contact there was a very strong possibility she would cry. Instead, she tapped keys on her computer, forcing herself to focus on something else.

When she found what she wanted, she turned the screen to John. “This is his patient photo.”

The small color photo didn’t provide a lot of detail, but John frowned. “I think I’ve seen this guy.”

Exhilaration leapt in her chest. “Really?”

He shook his head. “Not sure where or when, but he seems familiar to me. Something about him tugs at me. Mind if I blow it up?”

He tapped a couple of keys and enlarged the picture. Then he scraped a hand over the stubble on his jaw. “I’m not sure,” he said finally.

Alex tried not to let her disappointment show. Damn. She was striking out all the way around tonight.

Though she could feel Duncan’s gaze on her, she refused to look at him.

The definitive way he’d shot down Shannon was disheartening to say the least. They hadn’t talked about their feelings yet, or plans to change their lifestyles, but she felt like he’d just closed the door on any possibility of more happening. Why was she even staying here?

John was staring at her expectantly. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Can I email myself a copy of this picture?”

“Yes, of course.”

Then, finally, she glanced at Duncan. There was a heavy frown on his handsome face, and he watched her closely. Alex felt exposed and raw, and needed to remove herself from the situation for a while. She turned to Shannon. “I am so thrilled for you two. This will be the most exciting adventure of your lives. If you’ll excuse me, I need to go lie down. I fell on the ice earlier and I feel like I’ve been run over by a Mack truck.”

Shannon stood with her to give her a hug, and when they parted there was understanding in her eyes. She knew what a blow Duncan’s words had been.

Moving quickly, Alex gave John’s strong shoulder a squeeze and walked out of the kitchen without looking at Duncan.

As soon as the bedroom door closed behind her, tears started in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. It was her own fault she was feeling like this. Duncan had said just the other night at the party that he didn’t want kids. Alex knew that her mistake though, was not believing his words. Men always said they didn’t want kids, it was like a reflex reaction to the idea ofchangein their lives. Then a few months or a couple of years later they were pushing a stroller down the street. She’d hoped her time with him might have softened that stance, but it definitely had not. She’d underestimated his feelings.

So now she was faced with a conundrum. In her heart of hearts, she knew Duncan could be her soul mate. They had more in common than even she expected. They liked similar things. Had similar tastes in almost everything they’d done, so far, and talked about. Sexually they were more compatible than she’d even dared hope they might be.

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