Kismet

Before Trevor could respond, the waiter returned with two glasses on his tray. “Scotch on the rocks,” he said.

Trevor accepted a glass, as did Alex. “Thank you.” The waiter nodded and walked away.

“They’re hitting it off,” Alex said, his gaze drifting toward the corner of the room where Emma had pulled Lissa away for a private chat.

Trevor was grateful the other woman was making an effort at helping Lissa feel more comfortable, but he didn’t plan on leaving her alone for too long.

As always, Alex’s gaze softened as he looked at his wife. The man, a shark in the boardroom, was a marshmallow at home. “Relationships are a two-way street, you know.”

“I’m trying,” Trevor said. Hell, he was doing his damndest to convince her they could make a go of it. “It’s only been two days ...” His voice trailed off, knowing time didn’t mean a damned thing. They’d known each other for too long.

“But there are ten years to get over,” Alex said. “Not to mention a lot’s happened in that time. You’ve been a confirmed bachelor, while she’s a mother.”

As always, the reminder felt like a physical punch in Trevor’s gut. “I know.”

“Do you?” Alex asked, putting a hand on Trevor’s shoulder in a fatherly gesture.

“What are you saying?” Trevor asked.

“Just this. Before you ask her for anything, make sure you can handle her life and everything that comes with it. It’s not

fair of you to ask her to let you into her life unless you’re sure you want all of her, including her child.”

His stomach cramped and he suddenly felt the weight of responsibility he hadn’t thought of before. “We haven’t discussed it,” Trevor said.

“And you haven’t given it much thought because you’ve spent the weekend in bed,” Alex said, guessing correctly.

Trevor broke into a sweat. He wasn’t sure whether to thank Alex for making him face the truth, or to deck him for bringing it up.

“One thing is for sure—no matter how you come by them, children are a lifetime responsibility and when they’re stepchildren, so are their biological parents,” Alex said. “Now, I know I’ve given you a lot to think about. Let’s go join the women.”

With a new weight on his shoulders, Trevor followed Alex over to Lissa, suddenly panicked, knowing he couldn’t possibly jump into the idea of being her daughter’s father overnight.

Alex was right. Either Trevor was all in or he bailed before either of them got hurt.

And deep down, he feared it was too late for that.

*

Trevor was silent on the way home. Too silent, and Lissa couldn’t help but fear his thoughts. For the last two days, she’d been telling herself this weekend was all they had—but inside, she couldn’t deny there was a flicker of hope. She wanted more, and he’d done his best to indicate that he did, too.

But ever since he’d returned from talking to Alex earlier, Trevor had been more withdrawn. “Would you mind if we went back to my hotel room?” she asked, knowing that even if they spent tonight together, it would be easier on her if he left in the morning. That way she could just fall apart instead of having to be the one to walk away.

“Sure.” He sat by her side in the town car, but unlike their last few rides, he kept his hands to himself.

Another bad sign.

She fingered her small bag, her nerves getting the best of her until finally the driver pulled to a stop in front of the hotel. A doorman immediately stepped up and opened the car door, then stood back and waited.

Lissa exhaled a long breath and turned to face him. “Thank you for taking me with you tonight. It was a pleasure to spend time with Alex and Emma, since they both mean so much to you.”

The evening had also filled out her article in immeasurable ways, but she wasn’t in the mood to bring up business.

He smiled at that. “When I was younger, they helped me feel welcome, Alex in business and Emma on the social side.”

She nodded in understanding, then reached for his hand. “Trev, I’m so glad we had this time together.” It was more than she’d ever dreamed of and less than she wished for deep inside.

“Does this mean you’re not inviting me up?” he asked, his voice gruff.