Page 24 of Reunited By the Greek's Baby

That was assuming she’d let him pay. Her blistering animosity yesterday had left its mark. Theo guessed persuading her to let him help would be uphill work.

Just as well he wasn’t easily deterred.

But for now her studies weren’t the highest priority. ‘I’ve arranged an appointment with an obstetrician today.’

Her chin lifted. ‘Thank you. But I need notice to take time off. Rebecca relies on me.’

‘Which is why I made it at lunchtime. I can drive you. I’ll have you back in good time.’

Shimmering eyes held his and he sensed Isla sought for another objection. Because she didn’t like him interfering? Because she didn’t likehim?

Theo’s belly clenched in repudiation. But this wasn’t about him. This was about getting Isla to do what was necessary to look after herself and their child.

Their child.

His thoughts slowed even as his pulse quickened.

‘I’ll talk with Rebecca. If the timing suits then I’ll take the appointment.’

Theo nodded, forbearing from saying he’d already contacted her boss and cleared it with her. He didn’t want any excuse for Isla to back out.

It had been a useful, if initially frosty, conversation. When the older woman saw he was serious in his concern for Isla she’d been remarkably helpful, even receptive to his other suggestions. But Isla wasn’t ready to hear about those. Let her take one step at a time.

His ex-lover was strong-minded. He’d known it before but it was only now, as he saw how she battled valiantly with this daily struggle, that he realised how strong.

Inevitably his thoughts turned to Toula. His stepsister faced different problems, including years of early neglect and, he suspected, abuse. Was it any wonder she suffered with depression and had turned to substance abuse under the influence of Costa Stavroulis? Yet he couldn’t help comparing Toula’s attempts to avoid things she didn’t want to face and Isla’s determination to manage her life by confronting reality, not hiding from it.

Instantly he felt ashamed. That was unfair. Toula had demons even he didn’t fully understand. She was doing the best she could and at least now she was getting professional help to deal with them.

‘Theo? Did you hear me?’

‘Sorry.’ He found Isla watching him. Her eyes were brighter and she looked more like the woman he remembered. Her shining hair fell in waves below her shoulders, drawing his attention to her puckered nipples against the thin T-shirt.

‘Don’t you want something to eat?’

Theo swallowed and made himself reach for a pastry. He was hungry, but not for baked goods.

But he couldn’t sate his real appetite, for Isla Jacobs.

Apart from the fact she was unwell, this was no time to complicate things with sex.

He wasn’t her favourite person after the way he’d pushed her away. Plus it would muddy the waters when they had important decisions to make. Theo intended to persuade her into seeing things his way. Ravishing her might bring short-term delight but at the risk of destroying his long-term plans.

Time to start implementing those plans.

He withdrew a folded paper from his jacket and pushed it across the table. ‘I brought this for you. To confirm what I told you yesterday.’

Theo didn’t want her having second thoughts about spending time with him.

Isla’s brow furrowed as she read the official document. It was an English translation and confirmed that the murder charge had been dropped against him and he was a free man.

Theo knew she understood that or she wouldn’t have let him into her home. Yet he remembered earlier yesterday, when she’d called him a murderer. He’d been astounded at how appalled he’d been. The world might insinuate such things butheraccusation had wounded him in a way he hadn’t expected.

‘I’m sorry, Theo.’ Her eyes were too big for her face as she met his gaze. ‘I was being bitchy when I called you a murderer.’ Her shoulders lifted as she drew a slow breath. ‘I knew it wasn’t true. I should never have said it. I was just...’

‘You don’t need to explain.’ Neither had been at their best. ‘We were both grappling with a lot. I just wanted to clear up any reservations.’

‘Iamsorry though. That you had to go through all that. It must’ve been terrifying.’

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