Page 12 of 2 Books in One Bundle

‘Tonight?’

‘Yes.’

‘Cancel it. In fact, cancel everything.’

She blinked up at him in shock. ‘What? No. I can’t possibly do that. It’ll destroy my business.’

There was a second of stunned silence before he spoke. ‘Are youserious?’

‘It’s all right for you and your three-hundred-year-old billion-euro company,’ she said, bristling in response to his incredulous arrogance. ‘Mine is at a crucial stage, both reputationally and financially. I can’t just cancel events that have been months in the planning. I promise I’ll take it easy. I’ll make sure I sit down when I can and drink lots of water.’

‘And risk this happening again? Only for real?’

That sobered her up. The dizzying relief and the adrenalin rushing through her system evaporated in an instant and her chest tightened as a cold sweat broke out all over her skin.

Because Zander had a point.

How could she possibly continue as planned, as if this afternoon had been nothing more than a minor inconvenience? Even though she’d been assured there was no reason to suspect itwouldhappen again, every minute of every day and night she’d be worried. And rightly so, because she’d even told him that the first three months could be precarious.

This pregnancy wasn’t some sort of abstract idea, as it had felt up until now. The baby growing inside her had a shape and a heartbeat and already she loved it fiercely. Currently, it was dependent entirely on her for its well-being, so she had to stop thinking solely of herself. Even Zander wasn’t doing that. By putting the baby first, not only was he proving that he’d fully step in if something happened to her, thank God, but also he was behaving in the way she supposed most fathers-to-be would, although what would she know when she hadn’t had one of her own?

In fact, her child was enviably lucky to have two present and engaged parents. She wanted to make that work, so perhaps now was the time for one of the sacrifices she’d told him in the lobby of his building that she’d be willing to make.

‘You’re right,’ she conceded, swiftly working through the practicable options while trying and failing to process both the enormous reality of her situation and her complicated feelings about fathers. ‘Of course you’re right.’

‘Stanhope Kallis has a corporate entertainment department,’ said Zander, a fraction calmer than a moment ago although, judging by the set of his jaw, no less determined to get his way. ‘I can parachute in a substitute events organiser right now.’

‘That won’t be necessary.’

‘Why not?’

‘BecauseIhave someone who can temporarily take over,’ she said without hesitation, while nevertheless inwardly wincing at the thought of giving up control of the company to which she’d dedicated the last six years of her life, however briefly. ‘Hattie. Harriet. My number two. She’s been with me since the beginning and I trust her implicitly. All the menus for December have been finalised and the food is on order. It’s just a question of logistics now and she’s more than capable of handling those. I can get in more staff to help her, if needs be, and I’ll be on the end of the phone.’

After a moment’s consideration, he gave a short nod. ‘That would be acceptable.’

Was it now. ‘I’m delighted you think so,’ she said dryly.

Planting a hand on her lower back, which bizarrely she could feel, despite the thick layers of clothing she was wearing, Zander steered her with care in the direction of the exit.

What was she going todofor a fortnight? she wondered as she tried to ignore both his disconcerting proximity and the touch that felt almost protective. She hadn’t had so much time off in years. Maybe she could work on some new recipes. Or tweak her five-year forecast. She could even put up those shelves that had been propped up against the living room wall for months.

And when the inevitable boredom set in?

Well, surely anoccasionaltrip to the unit to see how things were going wouldn’t hurt. She would, of course, leave any heavy lifting to others, but she could easily peel a potato. Rinsing a lettuce or whipping up a quickbeurre blancdidn’t exactly require much in the way of effort.

And if she found herself just happening to pass by a venue at which an event she’d organised was taking place, it would be only natural to drop in for a moment. The client would be expecting it. In fact, wouldn’t it actually begoodfor her and the baby if she checked in from time to time? Wouldn’t the stress of worrying about how her business was faring in her absence be worse?

‘One more thing,’ Zander said as he released her to reach for the door.

‘What?’

‘You’re moving in with me.’

Mia froze in the process of pulling on her gloves and shot him a startled glance. What? No. How would she be able to keep an eye on things if he was keeping an eye on her? And did she really want him witnessing the unpleasantness of morning sickness, even if it did seem to be easing? She did not.

‘Oh, there’s no need for that,’ she said with an airy wave and a reassuring smile. ‘I have a perfectly good flat of my own. It has central heating and running water and everything. You should know. You’ve been there.’

For a split second she thought she saw a flicker of heat light the dark depths of his eyes, as if he were remembering not only being there but everything they’d done within its four walls. But a moment later it was gone and he was pulling open the door and standing to one side and she figured she must have been mistaken.

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