“Hey. How are you?”

“Fine.” Her voice, usually so full of life, came across strained and tired.

“Is everything okay? You sound... off."

"Long day, that's all."

"Is Pax okay?" I wished I were there to take him to all the other fun things in Southern California.

"He zonked out about a half-hour ago. What about you? Is everything okay?”

"Yes. Or it will be. I just wanted to hear your voice before I went to bed."

“Really?” She sounded surprised.

“Yes, really.” I wanted to tell her more, but I didn’t want to do it on the phone.

She sighed. “My dad called me today.”

“What?” That motherfucker. “What did he want?”

“It’s not important.”

“Of course it’s important.” I wanted her to feel like she could talk to me. I wanted to be her champion, her protector.

“He just wants me to stop contesting the will. Alex sounds like he has a lead, though.”

“Is there something I can do?”

“No. I do want to talk to you when I get back, though.”

“About?” My heart thundered in my chest wondering if she wanted to confess her love. I laughed inwardly. She probably wanted to talk about her business. Or, heaven forbid, moving on. Well, I wouldn’t let that happen. Or I’d try to stop it. I needed to come up with a big way to show her how much I felt for her, how much I wanted her and Pax in my life. Perhaps I could take them on a trip. Somewhere warm like the Caribbean. I could picture Samantha in her bikini and Pax making sandcastles in the sand.

“It can wait. Have you heard from Tori?”

I didn’t want to wait, but knew I had no choice. “I spoke on the phone with her. She sounded tired but good.”

“Alex says she’s ready to not be pregnant anymore. God, I remember that feeling.”

I imagined Samantha round with child. I envied the man who’d created Pax with her. “Do you want more children?” I asked before thinking.

“Ah... yeah... maybe. How about you?”

I laughed. “I was thinking I was past my prime.”

“I think you’re prime.”

I grinned. “Do you? Did you get that impression last night or in your office this morning?”

“Both.”

I could picture her cheeks pink from sexual innuendo. “Guess what I found in my pocket tonight?”

“I can’t imagine.”

“Really. I was thinking you must have had a draft under your dress today.”

She laughed. “What are you doing with them?”