by Hazel Gower
“Mummy, he has a police clothes likeded Alexs. Yous were kissing likes yous always ares. So isa lets him in.”
Alex knew he shouldn’t laugh, but when Derick started Alex couldn’t hold back. Zane was just so cute. Mia’s elbow to the chest didn’t stop him, it only had him laughing harder, especially when he caught the little grin on Zane’s face.
Going to Zane, he picked him up, kissed both his cheeks, and went and stood with Mia. “Buddy, I know you thought it was okay to let Derick in because he’s wearing a police uniform like mine, but when Mummy and I are here and neither of us are hurt you don’t open the door. Come and get either your mother or me. We just want to make sure you’re safe. It would make us very happy if you listen and promise you won’t do this again.” He looked up and caught Mia’s gaze. She smiled and nodded. Good, he must have said the right things.
Zane nodded. “Otays.” He looked over at Mia. “I sorry, Mummy. I won’t open the door again. Um, unless yous or Alex are hurted and need helps. Otay?”
Mia came over and wrapped her arms around both him and Zane. “Thanks, baby.” She kissed Zane’s forehead and then reached up and kissed Alex’s cheek. She let go and turned around to Derick. “Hi. Sorry about that. I’m Mia.” She held her hand out and Derick took it and shook.
“Derick. Nice to meet you, Mia.” He winked in Zane’s direction.
“The little terror that let you in is Zane.”
Derick waved. “Hi, Zane. I’m sorry for getting you in trouble, but your parents are right.”
Alex’s stomach flipped at Derick calling him Zane’s parent. He liked that his friend saw how he felt about Zane.
“That’s otay.” Zane sighed dramatically.
“I’ll be ready in a moment. I just need to grab my food Mia made.”
Derick flipped his hand back and forth. “No rush. I’m early.” He followed them into the kitchen.
“Would you like some lasagna and salad, Derick? I also have some carrot cake and blueberry muffins.”
Groaning when Derick’s eyes lit up, Alex knew he wasn’t going to say no, and once he ate Mia’s food he’d have one more person trying to steal his lunches.
Twenty-five minutes later, ten minutes late for work, they got in the police cruiser. Derick had lasagna, carrot cake, blueberry muffins, and brownies in his hands. He was currently stuffing the last pancake into his mouth.
“I now know why you’re keeping her from everyone. I would too.” He set his food in his bag. “She’s a sweetheart, and her boy is adorable. Her food is the best I’ve ever tasted. She’s way too good for your arse.” He started the car. “If she ever decides to leave you and go for a better looking model...” He sat up straighter and wiggled his eyebrow. “I’ll gladly take her.”
Punching him on the arm, Alex snarled, “Shut up and drive.”
Derick laughed, and Alex can’t help the smile that slipped free. He didn’t care what prank they played at work today, because he knew how good he had it, and now Derick knew it too.
* * * *
This week had been better. Mia was used to getting around now and not in pain. She only had a little over two weeks left until she got her cast off, and this coming weekend was Alex’s birthday. Thanks to Alex’s family she had everything ready for Alex to sign papers to adopt Zane. She’d started to worry last week when Alex started back at work and seemed off, but after Derick came around—who since meeting her seemed to have almost moved in himself—Alex went back to his usual self.
Zane was at daycare, and before they went to pick him up they needed to food shop.
“Are you sure you’re okay to walk around the shops? I can buy food on my own.” Alex helped her down from the car.
“I’m fine. I’m getting around really good now with the cast.”
“Okay. But if it gets to be too much, tell me and we’ll stop.”
Mia waved him off and he went and got a trolley. She met him at the entrance, and he reached for her hand and hooked her arm around him. It worked out good to lean on him as she hobbled along.
The list was bigger than she usually got, and Mia hated to admit it, but it was nice not to buy the home brand. Alex wouldn’t let her pay rent or help toward petrol, and this would be the first food shop they’d done together. She intended to pay for the groceries. She’d saved a little over the weeks being in hospital and living with Alex as she hadn’t had to worry about petrol or food.
Alex dropped whatever he wanted into the trolley and didn’t even seem to glance at the price. By the time we reached halfway Mia was sure they’d need a second trolley, and she started to become more cautious of what she put in and the price.
“Alex,” a male voice called from behind them. “Alex, is that you?”
Alex turned and Mia followed, seeing a man in his late to mid-forties coming to them. He had a smile on his face.
“Anthony, hi.” Alex shook the man’s hand.
Mia stood waiting to be introduced. She hadn’t been introduced to many of Alex’s friends or associates.
“We missed you last night at MacGoos Pub. We thought you’d want to celebrate after you and Derick closed the Andaya case.”
Alex shrugged, and Mia frowned when he still didn’t introduce her. This man was one of Alex’s coworkers. Was Alex embarrassed by her? She glanced down at herself. She had a cast on one leg, and on the foot without a cast she wore a black, fashion heeled sandal. She had on a cute little fifties style black and pink halter neck dress. Her hair was down because she knew how much Alex liked that, and she even had a little makeup on. Was something wrong?
She let go of Alex and stepped back behind him. Her stomach sank, and her chest ached. Alex and Anthony spoke, and for the first time in weeks Mia felt invisible. She felt like she wasn’t good enough. Mia didn’t like that feeling. She hadn’t felt like she wasn’t good enough for someone in a long time.
Squaring her shoulders, she narrowed her gaze on Alex’s back and then took a step forward. When there was a break in the conversation she smiled and held her hand out. “Hi, Anthony. I’m Mia. It’s nice to meet you.” She didn’t state she was a friend of Alex’s, or his anything, because she was mad at him.
Anthony smiled and shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mia.” She didn’t miss the frown he sent Alex’s way or the raised eyebrow. “How are you feeling? You look great.”
Mia blushed as Anthony eyed her up and down. “Thank you. I’m feeling much better. It’s nice to meet another of Alex’s coworkers.”
“You should come to MacGoos Pub. We all hang out there after work.”
Alex’s arm hooked around her waist, and she stiffened. Oh, so now he was willing to show his friend that they not only knew each other but were together. She wiggled out of his hold and shot a glare his way before turning back to Anthony. “Thank you so much for the invite. It was nice meeting you. I hope to see you this weekend at Alex’s party.” Plastering a fake smile on her face, she nodded to both Alex and Anthony. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll let you two talk while I finish shopping. I have to pick my son up from daycare in an hour.” Not waiting for a response, Mia turned and leaned on the trolley as she walked away.
As she retreated she heard Anthony say, “She’s very pretty, and you’d be an idiot to let her walk away.” She didn’t listen to Alex’s response, all she wanted to do was get the essentials and get the hell out of there now.
Maybe having a relationship with Alex was wrong.
Chapter 6
Alex’s party loomed and Mia was getting nervous. This would be the first time she officially met all his friends and colleagues. She’d been introduced briefly to a couple of friends and a colleague here or there when they’d been out and run into one, but she’d never been invited to socialize with any of them. Mia was starting to worry more and more that Alex was either embarrassed by her or ashamed of her. They hadn’t talked about the other day at the shops, and that didn’t sit well with Mia either. She probably should have said someth
ing, but she was scared to rock the boat. What if what she worried was true? Beth told her she was overthinking it and that Alex adored her. But Mia wasn’t sure Beth was right, especially after the other day at the shops.
“I think your mother has invited every person you’ve ever known to your big, bad fortieth.” Mia giggled. “She won’t say your age to me.” Alex told her how old he was in the hospital. Mia knew it was an issue for him. Was that the reason why she didn’t socialize with his friends? Was he still hung up on her age?
He winked at her. “How old do I look like I’m turning today?” He playfully batted his eyelashes.
Playing along, Mia tapped her chin in thought. “I know you think you’re old because you’ve said it a couple of times. So I’ll say older than you look. Thirty-five?”
He laughed and picked her up, kissing her with a passion she was coming to be hooked on. “You’re good for my ego, sweetheart.” He winked at her again and fluttered his eyelashes. “I’m scared to tell you how old I am.”
She rolled her eyes at his bad acting. “I don’t care how old you are.” Mia was done with the game. She clung to him, her fingers digging into his shoulders. “Is it the age gap?”
He eased back, and she reluctantly let him go. His expression grew serious. “I’m forty and you’re twenty-one. That isn’t a small gap.”
Mia’s heart sank. She was right. There was a reason he hadn’t taken her out to socialize with his friends. She stared at him, trying to find traces that showed his age, but she saw no gray hairs, and barely a wrinkle. He was in shape, better shape than she was.
“I turn twenty-two in another month. That’s only eighteen years.” She chewed on her bottom lip. Did it matter to her? He’d been that age the last couple of weeks and he kept up with her just fine. In fact, he was insatiable. Not only did he make love to her almost every night, he also helped her with Zane. She gazed at him, noticing his frown. “What do you want me to say? That you’re old and I may have to buy you a walking frame soon? Should I have bought you Viagra for your birthday?”
She squealed as he picked her up, careful of her cast. “Old? If we weren’t at my parents, I’d show you who’ll need that walking frame and I can tell you it won’t be me.”
Laughing, she wrapped her arms around him. God, she loved this man. She stilled in his embrace for a moment as the truth washed over her. Oh no, she’d fallen in love with him.
Burying her head against him, she hid herself for a moment while she gathered herself. She couldn’t love him, he wasn’t even confident in their relationship. He was still worried about their age gap. Mia wondered if that was all he worried about, and if it was only the age that was keeping him from having her socialize with his friends and colleagues.
Mia needed to take a step back. If Alex was going to adopt Zane, she needed to focus on friendship. She may love Alex, but her heart wasn’t the only one at stake. If Alex broke her heart, she knew not only would hers smash into a million pieces, so would Zane’s.
Easing away from him, she got off him and sent a stiff smile his way. “We better finish setting up the tables. People should be arriving soon, and I need to go get ready.”
He nodded and they got to work. By the time she made it to the guest room to get ready Mia had decided that she was taking a step back. If Alex didn’t want his friends to know they were together, then she wouldn’t tell them. The sex with Alex might be amazing, but she could be friends with him. She could give him what he wanted.
* * * *
His parents’ house was packed full of people. Half of them he was barely friends with. But Zane was having a ball, so he didn’t care. There were kids everywhere, and he was running around with them with a huge grin on his face. Strangely enough, Alex hadn’t seen Mia. The last time he’d seen her was when she left to get ready just before the first couple of guests arrived. He’d been told by Zane that she vanished into the kitchen with his mother and sister when she returned.
Alex sat at a table filled with his brothers and some of his closest friends, most of them from work. Markus, a work colleague and a guy Alex couldn’t much stand, came and sat at the table. “I hear you have a woman.” He winked at Alex. “I’m told she’s the start of your midlife crisis.” The guys around snickered.
“Fuck you. Shut the hell up.” Alex had been getting shit from his colleagues since he returned to work. He didn’t mind a bit of ribbing here or there, but tonight was his party, and not only was his family around, Mia was there too.
Markus, being the idiot he was, didn’t listen. “Does she have daddy issues? You haven’t brought her to MacGoos Pub. You think she’ll see a younger model and leave you? Is she not that attractive and thought she could snag an older man? Or are you just not that into her and want to live it up before you get too old to get it up?” He laughed, and Alex was about ready to punch the idiot if he didn’t shut his mouth. “She has a kid, maybe she wants someone willing to—”
“Finish that sentence, and I swear I’ll fucking kick your arse.” Lockie stood, his voice loud and clear.
Alex was shocked, because Lockie was usually the one to joke around and defuse fights by making a comment here or there. His motto was always I’m a lover, not a fighter. He never made threats.
Lockie turned his gaze on Alex. “What the fuck is wrong with you? Why the hell didn’t you say anything? At least stick up for Mia.” He shook his head, then narrowed his gaze on the guys around them. “Mia is an amazing woman. She hasn’t chased my brother. He’s the one who started pursuing her. My God, listening to that guy...” He pointed at Markus. “It’s no wonder my brother hasn’t brought her to MacGoos Pub.” Lockie took a step toward Markus. “You need to leave.”
Chad stood up next to Lockie, and then Owen stood on Lockie’s other side.
Markus’s eyes widened and he slowly stood and backed away. At least he knew when to leave. His brothers all stared at the remaining people at the table.
“I suggest you leave now if you have a problem or feel the need to voice anything negative about our friend Mia.” Lockie’s voice was stern and broke no room for arguments.
The rest of his mates and colleagues shook their head, a few mumbling, “No, I don’t.”
With that his brothers turned and left him at the now quiet table.
It was one of his closest friends, Roger, who broke the silence. “Is she here? Are you going to introduce us?”
Oh God, he’d been a douche. The party had been going for hours, and not only had he not introduced Mia to people, but he hadn’t brought her over to meet his friends. He’d ignored her. He was an arse. Lockie was right, something was wrong with him. He had done the chasing. He’d moved her into his house, into his bed. She never asked him for any of this. Now that he thought about it, she didn’t ask him for anything other than requesting that he not stop seeing Zane if they split up.
“Mia’s amazing, and if she ever leaves this idiot, I’ll gladly take her.” Derick grinned at Alex. “She hasn’t complained once about me basically moving in and having to cook for me too these last couple of weeks.”
Alex groaned and felt even worse the more Derick talked about how wonderful Mia was.
“I’ve met her too,” Anthony added, interrupting his thoughts. “She’s a pretty little thing.” Anthony smiled at Alex. “I’d be worried about bringing her to MacGoos Pub, she’ll attract a lot of interest. Especially if they’ve eaten her cooking.”
“You,” Alex growled. “You’re the one who eats my food.”
Anthony at least had the good grace to admit it. “Yep. The first time was a mistake. I thought it was mine, but once I got a taste I couldn’t resist. I don’t even bring my own food now.” He winked at Alex.
The table erupted in chuckles.
“Now I definitely want to meet her,” Roger said.
Standing, Alex looked around the yard, searching for her. He didn’t see her anywhere. He didn’t see Zane either. Had they left? His stomach sank, and he berated
himself again for being an arse.
Without saying another word, Alex left the table and went in search of Mia. Now that he thought about it, she’d been off before. She’d stayed clear of him since their talk earlier about age. Mia didn’t seem at all bothered by his age. She’d argued that it was him that was unsure. Fuck. What the hell was wrong with him? It had to be today, his birthday and turning forty.
He found Mia in Zane’s bedroom, his old room, sitting on the floor, reading to a group of five children, including Zane. He stood by the door and watched as she made faces and changed her voice for each character. The kids were enraptured by her and hanging on her every word. By the end of the book he was hooked too. The children begged for more when she was done.
“No more. I’ve read six books now. Two more than I agreed to.” She smiled brightly at the children. “You know what? I think it’s almost birthday cake time.”
The kids squealed and got up off the floor and ran out of the room. Zane didn’t even stop when he saw him step into the room.
“I’ve been looking for you.” He moved in closer to her. She tided up the room.
“Well, I’ve been here, and before I was in the kitchen helping with lunch.”
“I’m sorry.” He truly was. His stomach churned, and his chest ached.
She raised her eyebrow. “You have nothing to be sorry for. It’s your birthday. Go and enjoy it.” The smile she gave him was more a grimace.
If he hadn’t been sure before that he’d said something wrong earlier, he was now. Reaching for her hand, he pulled her to him. “Come with me. I want to introduce you to some people.” He didn’t give her a choice, he threaded his fingers through hers and pulled her to where he wanted to go.
She followed behind him, and even though he was only holding her hand, he could feel how stiff she was. Something was definitely wrong.
Alex didn’t stop until he was before his friends again. “Mia, I’d like to introduce you to Roger, Anthony, Reece, Brad, and Samuel.”
