Page 87 of Not the Bodyguard's Widow
Alex checked over his shoulder to see his date watching him intently. “Another minute, please.”
“Oh, I have another call. Can I put you on hold?”
The music—Johnny Lee’s“Looking for Love” chorus—started playing before he could answer. The hold music should have been classical. Subtlety wasn’t Elle’s strong point. She’d already pointed out he shouldn’t be going on this date at all since he was still a married man. Alex ended the call and returned to the table.
“Do you need to go? We can reschedule.” The blonde bounced in her seat.
“Look, it was nice to meet you, but I don’t think we should set up a second date.”
Her face fell.
“You’re a real nice person, but my last relationship is still too much on my mind. Thanks for meeting me for dessert. I hope you have a good week.” Alex left five dollars on the table as a tip, glad he’d paid for their desserts at the counter so there would be no awkward waiting.
“It was nice to meet you, Alex. Call me once your heart is healed.”
Her hair would be gray by then.
Alex drove to the office, hoping there would be something to do. Anything but go back to his condo and dream of the little family he didn’t have.
* * *
Kimberly turned the sketch upside down and looked at it again. Something was wrong. She checked the windows of the Art House studio. The lighting was good.
Clay cooed from the bassinet next to her. The Amish quilt Alex had given her curled around her son like a soft hug.
“What do you think? Did Mommy make a mistake?”
Another coo accompanied by a puckered face.
“A kissy face?”
Clay opened his mouth and let out a wail.
“Oh, a Mommy-I-need-to-be-picked-up-and-held face.” Kimberly lifted him and balanced him against her shoulder. “I think I need to be held too.” And there was only one person in the world she wanted to fill that position.
33
Ogilvie Tower rose high overhead.Kimberly checked her baby sling to make sure Clay’s head was supported. The lobby clock informed her they were five minutes early. She nodded at the security guard as he checked her diaper bag before nodding her through to the bank of elevators.
Elle sat at the reception desk. “Good morning, Kimberly. Mr. Alexander will be out in a minute. Do you want to sit in the lobby or back in the conference room?”
“May I sit in the conference room?” If his reaction to seeing her in the office was negative, she didn’t want any witnesses. She followed Elle past several cubicles to a small room.
“Would you like water? Soda?”
“May I have some water, please?” Was it better to face the door or not? Clay mewed in his sleep. Kimberly patted him and chose the chair farthest from the door, facing it.
Elle returned with two bottles of water and leaned in close. “Don’t worry. Just smile. Everything will be great.” On her way out, Elle shut the door.
Kimberly kissed the top of Clay’s head. “Mommy is doing the right thing, right?”
The jiggle of the doorknob gave her a millisecond to take a deep breath.
Alex took a step into the room and froze. “Kimberly?”
“Hi, Alex.”
“Why are you here?”
