Page 26 of Reunited By the Greek's Baby

He shot her an assessing look then nodded. But instead of entering the restaurant, he waited on the pavement, using his phone. Annoying Theo Karalis might be, but he respected her privacy. He’d left her alone during her medical examination too, only returning to hear the outcome.

Isla rang her boss and explained where she was. For some obscure reason she wished Rebecca would say the shop was busy and she was needed urgently.

‘Of course you must take time for a proper meal. And it will give you and Theo time to talk.’ Rebecca sounded enthusiastic. Probably because Isla had confided that Theo was her baby’s father.

‘Only if you’re sure...’

‘Absolutely! In fact,’ Rebecca said, ‘I’ve got someone coming to help this afternoon on a trial basis to see how she works out.’

Isla frowned. ‘You’re taking on new staff? Is there enough work for three of us?’

There was silence for a moment and when Rebecca spoke it sounded like she chose her words carefully. ‘It’s good to have backup. There have been days when you were so unwell you shouldn’t have been in the store. I feel guilty about that.’

‘You shouldn’t! It’s my job to be there. I’d never let you down.’

‘I know you wouldn’t, Isla. This is just a precaution. If this new person works out then she can fill in if I need to be away for a few days. And when the baby comes.’

Apprehension scuttled along Isla’s spine like spidery fingers. She couldn’t fault Rebecca’s thinking. Shewouldneed more staff when Isla gave birth. But if this replacement proved good, and more reliable than a new mum managing on her own, maybe Rebecca would keep her full-time instead of Isla.

And maybe you’re getting ahead of yourself.

She forced herself to smile as she spoke. ‘It’s good to be prepared. I hope she works out okay.’

‘She sounded very capable. In fact, why don’t you have the afternoon off? Then you can have a proper conversation with Theo. Oops. I’ve got to go. Enjoy your lunch.’

There it was again, the feeling that Isla’s life was unravelling. Surely she was overreacting, yet that brief conversation compelled her to consider facts that previously she’d preferred not to dwell on.

She’d need time off work when the baby came. How long would her savings last? Rebecca was a good friend as well as her employer, but she had a business to run and couldn’t leave a position open for her indefinitely.

Then there was childcare. Isla wasn’t sure she could afford it and though Rebecca would probably allow her to take an infant into the shop, it wasn’t a long-term solution.

And then there was Theo.

‘Problems?’

He was at her door, an easy smile on his face but something in his eyes that wasn’t at all easy. It struck her again that Theo was a very powerful man, used to getting his own way.

‘Nothing I can’t handle.’

Shewouldhandle it. All of it. Somehow she’d find a way to manage. She always had in the past and now she had her child to consider, all the more reason to be strong.

Ten minutes later they were seated in a luxurious booth as a waiter poured sparkling water and took their orders.

‘Nice place,’ Isla murmured as the waiter left. It was more upmarket than anywhere she’d ever eaten, with an air of understated elegance. Even the occasional clatter of cutlery and the murmur of voices was discreetly muffled.

‘I’m told the food’s good.’

‘It should be, at those prices.’

Glowing brown eyes met hers and she saw a flicker of amusement. Almost like the old days—

Isla looked away. It wasn’t the past that mattered, it was the future. ‘We need to talk.’

‘My thoughts exactly. We have a lot to discuss. Where shall we start?’

Isla turned back and there it was again, deep in those remarkable, leonine eyes. Determination. The look of a man who knew what he wanted and how to get it. Why did it unnerve her?

She sipped her water, feeling the bubbles hit the roof of her mouth. Like the effervescence in her blood when Theo had made love to her.

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