Second Chance with the Single Mom

‘No, I didn’t.’ Raina frowned. ‘I said it had to be readable, so let’s hope he takes the hint and doesn’t make the text so small I can’t see it. And I told him that what’s blindingly obvious to him needs a bit of explaining to ordinary mortals like me, so he needs to start with the basics.’

Raina thought she was an ordinary mortal? She was sunshine, and the cool, fresh touch of dew. She was a warrior champion for her daughter, and extraordinary in every way.

‘You underestimate yourself.’

Her gaze met his and suddenly the full impact of their night together hit Alistair. What they could have done, if only they hadn’t given up on their marriage. History readjusted itself, and he felt the ripples wash over him.

‘It’s good of you to say so. I hope you’re right.’ She looked down at the pile of papers in her lap.

‘I think you’re one of the few people who can take Ben on and win.’ Alistair heard the tenderness in his own voice and tried to swallow it down. What he was about to suggest had nothing to do with their relationship, and it was best he make that clear. ‘Gabriel had a suggestion...’

Raina nodded, seeming to catch the unspoken implication. ‘What’s that?’

‘He thinks it’s too much to as

k that you do all the preparatory work and hold sessions for new parents for free. I agree with him, and we’ve put together a draft job description. We can pay you an hourly rate, and you can work whenever you want.’

He pushed the typed sheet across his desk, and Raina picked it up, studying it. Perhaps he should have said that Gabriel had drafted the job description. But there was only so much distancing that Alistair could do before it started to look too obvious.

Raina put the paper back down onto his desk. ‘It’s a really good overview of what I need to do, and I’d like to keep that. But I’d feel more comfortable with donating my time, at least for starters.’

Maybe Raina was happier with an arrangement that didn’t make him her boss. Alistair could concur with that.

‘It’s not within my remit as a director of this charity to force the money on you.’ Alistair applied his mind to the problem. ‘Maybe we could help you by providing childcare for Anya. It’s something we’d need to look into for the parents who’ll be attending these sessions with you.’

‘Yes... Yes, that would be great. My mum will always take her, but I’d prefer not to rely on her. And Anya loves coming here.’

‘Okay. We’ll do that then. But if the project really takes off then your role will expand with it. If you’re doing more than one day’s work a week, we’ll be insisting that you consider taking a salary.’

Raina nodded. Now was about the time that she should be getting up from her seat and telling him that she had to go and pick Anya up. They’d said all they had to say about the business side of things, and there was no excuse for Alistair to keep her here, and none for Raina to stay.

All the same, she didn’t move. And neither did he.

It was awkward. And it wasn’t like Raina. She’d always been so ready to tell him what was on her mind and how she was feeling, and sometimes Alistair felt that she jumped straight in without really thinking about it. He, on the other hand, thought about it so much that he usually didn’t get around to saying anything.

But things could change. Alistair took a breath.

‘Raina. About the other night...’

She looked up at him far too quickly. And the sudden blush on her cheeks told him that she’d been thinking about that too. He swallowed hard, making an effort to collect his thoughts.

‘Raina, I don’t want to pretend it didn’t happen because...what we shared was important.’ He glanced at her and she nodded. No need to elaborate, she knew what he was talking about. ‘Whatever happens next is fine by me.’

She was looking at him steadily. ‘What will happen next?’

‘I have no clue.’ Alistair rubbed his hands across his face. ‘But I won’t regret any of it, because I feel that we cleared the air between us a little.’

‘And the sex was pretty great. The best, actually...’ This was the old Raina. The one who said exactly what she was thinking as soon as it came to mind and she accompanied it with a sudden, mischievous grin.

‘It pretty much redefined the meaning of best...’ Alistair ventured a compliment that was really only the truth, and Raina shot him a look of delighted glee.

This was about as much of an inquest on the night before as Alistair could cope with. He got to his feet awkwardly, and Raina followed his lead. ‘I’d better be going. I need to pick up Anya.’

‘Sure. You’ll be back to take another run at Ben tomorrow?’

‘What, you think he’s got me beaten already?’ Their conversation had done one thing at least. Raina had lost the air of dejection that she’d had when she’d walked into his office.

‘The idea never crossed my mind.’ Alistair chuckled, opening the door of his office for her. As Raina walked past him, she glanced outside at the empty workspace and turned quickly, brushing a kiss onto his cheek.