Page 55 of This Time Around

“I have no idea,” Rafe said, a lead weight settling in his stomach.

His ex-assistant was not a Jane fan and vice versa. He’d rarely spoken to either of them about the other but knew they’d butted heads a few times over the years when Jane had visited his office in the city. Whenever he’d asked what their beef was about, he got the standard reply of “She’s rude” or “She just rubs me the wrong way”.

But he could read between the lines.

Both women were fiercely protective of those they considered their own, and they’d both staked a claim on him.

“I requested two junior secretaries. Part-timers.”

Jane made an annoyed sound that was half scoff, half growl. “I always suspected she had a thing for you,” she said, unfastening her seatbelt.

“She’s married,” Rafe said, fighting back a grin as he turned to face her.

She lifted one shoulder. “So?”

“To another woman.”

Eyes widening in understanding, she exhaled and her body deflated, her argument rendered invalid. “Oh.”

He wrapped his hand around her nape and pulled her closer, then bringing his mouth within a hair’s breadth of hers, he whispered, “Are you jealous, baby?” Jane sucked in a breath and Rafe felt her lips quiver gently against his, felt her return his grin.

“Don’t be absurd,” she whispered back. “You know I’m not into chicks.”

Only Jane could put him in his place and make him laugh while doing it.

After a quick round of introductions, Rafe praised the powers-that-be that Donna had hijacked the work request to be there. After working together for six years, she knew how he operated and what he liked and was confident she’d have the place straightened out by the weekend.

Unfortunately, they’d also long ago reached that point in their working relationship where she felt free to speak her mind without fear of censure.

Rafe had just gotten off the phone, investigating Jane’s food truck mess and making follow-up arrangements, when his ex-assistant dropped a box of files on the edge of his desk then stood, arms akimbo, frowning at him.

“What?” he said, busying himself with the next job on his to-do list. He had a good idea what she was going to say and braced himself for a lecture.

“She’s pregnant?” He didn’t answer her. He didn’t need to. “Is it yours?”

He flicked his gaze to hers then back to his work. “We believe so.”

“Youbelieveso? So you’re not sure?”

Rafe exhaled sharply and gave her his full attention. “Is there a point to this?”

Her stance lost some of its cockiness and her face softened. “Look, from the little you’ve told me over the years and from what I’ve seen, it’s not hard to guess you two have a long and complicated history, but I’ve also known you long enough to know how you are whenever she shows up in your life. And more importantly, how you are when she disappears again. And now there’s a baby thrown in the mix for good measure. A baby sheclaimsis yours.”

Brow pinching in a tight frown, Rafe suddenly realised how much he hated how that sounded.

A baby she claims is yours.

He wanted the baby to be his. No. The babywashis. Whether he was the biological father or not, Jane’s baby washischild.

Donna sighed quietly. “You’re a good man, Rafe. But if your mood over the last three months is anything to go by, your last encounter with this woman was no picnic. I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”

Knowing he had friends like Donna looking out for him, Rafe smiled. “Thank you,” he said. “I appreciate your concern. But Jane’s not going anywhere this time, and neither am I.” At Donna’s unconvinced stare, he added, “I’m going to marry that woman.”

Her frown deepened and she thumbed over her shoulder at the reception area where Jane was working on her book. “Wasn’t she left at the altar three days ago?”

Rafe grinned. “Like you said, long and complicated.” Then he gave Donna a set of office keys and a list of instructions. “I’ll be back Friday arvo at the latest.”

“Wait, what? Where are you going?”

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