Page 73 of Love Is: Two Bodies One Soul

George gave him a jaundiced look and said, ‘So you’ve made your move on, Lexie.’

‘That’s not how I would describe it.’

‘I just hope you’ve given up on your old ways. I don’t want another broken-hearted girl on the payroll.’

‘Lex will be fine.’

‘I hope so.’

‘So?’ Owen suppressed his irritation at George, trying to be Lexie’s protector. ‘What did Sally have to say?’

‘We’re brothers for real now.’

‘Seems that way. Stepbrothers, at least. You okay with that?’

‘Of course, I am.’

‘Good. I’ll go then.’ Owen moved towards the door.

‘Hold on, little brother!’ George grinned, happy to remind Owen he was the younger brother, nearly a full two months George’s junior. ‘Isn’t there more you want to talk about? On Saturday afternoon, Mum arrived at my place after your dramatic exit from Hythe, especially to tell me what happened. She was anxious about you. And worried for Henry.’

‘Ha!’ Owen barked scornfully, a sudden flare of anger at Henry’s name. ‘What’s she got to be worried about? Shacked up with that ageing Lothario.’

Startled, George sat back in his seat. ‘She’s not shacked up with him. As you well know, Mum married Henry.’

‘Only after he got her pregnant. Bastard seems to make a habit of impregnating women. Has he never heard of condoms?’

‘I know you’re angry with him—’

‘Angry!’ Owen parroted. ‘Angry? Of course, I’m bloody angry. That bastard fucked my mother!’

George hid a smile. ‘He did, and if he hadn’t, you wouldn’t be here.’

Owen stopped prowling like a caged tiger and stared at George for a moment before the logic hit him.

‘Sit down, Owen. I think there is something else you need to know about, Henry.’

* * *

Lexie slipped outof her shoes and padded down the hall to find Kate in the sitting room, feet up, magazine in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. She looked up from her reading and asked, ‘Where’s Owen?’

‘He’ll be along later. A couple of things to do first.’

‘Right. Want some wine?’

‘No thanks.’ Lexie flopped down on the sofa and closed her eyes. A healthy sex life was one thing, but hanging on to the emotional roller coaster known as Owen was another. She was exhausted. She sighed, but it was a happy sigh. The trip to Paradise was going to be just that … paradise.

‘Are you all set for Friday?’ Kate asked.

‘What?’ Lexie opened her eyes.

‘Friday.’ Kate refilled her glass. ‘Paradise.’

‘Yes, I’ll be ready.’

‘Have you told him?’

‘No.’

---