When the sandwiches are done, we take them out to the table on the deck, and eat them and drink our coffees while Bearcub plays on the grass. Eventually Thea joins him, and the two of them investigate the flowerpots, Thea talking to him constantly.
“Penny for them,” Chessie says, smiling at me.
“I was wondering what it would be like to have my own daughter.”
Her eyebrows rise, and her mouth forms an O. “Really?”
I nod slowly. “Or son, I guess.” I think about having a child—a boy or girl, it wouldn’t matter. Maybe one of each. Tossing them a rugby ball on the grass. Taking them with me hiking. Showing the boy how to shave. Hmm. “I used to think children weren’t in my stars. I liked teens, but I knew I’d have to start with a baby, and I wouldn’t have a clue what to do with one of those. But I can see it now. Watching them grow up. It would be cool to have a kid like Thea.”
She looks at her. “I know what you mean. She’s so lovely. I wish she hadn’t had to go through what happened yesterday.”
“No, of course. We’d much rather protect our children. But she will have built a lot of resilience by dealing with that. It will help her in the long run, as she grows up, compared to other kidswho sail through their childhood then get hit with all the horrors of being an adult that life throws at you.”
Chessie looks back at me with a kind of puzzled smile. “I suppose that’s true. You can be incredibly insightful when you choose to be. I guess that’s one reason why they wanted you for the CEO job.”
“That and my cash, I’m sure.”
She scratches at a mark on her cut-downs. “I was thinking about that. I know you talked about tearing up the contract. But I wanted to say that I think we should get Tane to draw up a new one. I want to make it clear that if we part ways, I don’t want any of your money.”
I sit back, lace my fingers together on my chest, and give her an amused look. “Like a prenup?”
“I guess. And I want you to tell your father about it.”
My smile fades, and I frown. “Our relationship is none of his business.”
“I know. But I’d like him to know that it’s not your money I’m after.”
“You want me to tell him you’re after my magnificent cock?”
“I’m sure that will put his mind at ease.” She giggles, and I grin. “Will you tell him?” she asks softly. “About the money, I mean.”
“If you want.” If it puts her mind at ease, I’m happy to do it. It won’t make any difference. If I want her to have money, I’ll find a way to give it to her. No contract is going to stop me from spoiling the girl I love.
*
It’s Monday morning, but I call the office and say I’m going to be late, and I spend the morning with the girls. It’s only when Chessie gets a call from Nina to say the hospital is releasing bothMark and Joe that it’s time to make a move. I give Thea a hug, then Chessie, and tell her I’ll contact her later and find out how they’re all doing. I wave goodbye to them as Chessie drives off, and then, after putting on a suit, I take my Range Rover and drive to the Midnight Club, Bearcub in his crate in the back.
Orson’s waiting in the car park, and he puts Bearcub in the back of his car. “Was he good?” he asks.
“Yeah, and it was the perfect distraction for Thea, so thanks for loaning him.”
“How’s Chessie?”
My gaze drifts off into the distance as I think about what happened last night. With effort, I drag my eyes back to Orson. “She’s… good.”
His lips slowly curve up. “Bwah… bwa, bwa, bwa…”
“Yeah, yeah.” I give him the finger. “You were right. And I don’t care.”
He grins. “So what does that mean?”
“Not sure yet. But I’m hoping to make the engagement real. I’m working on it.”
His face lights up with genuine pleasure. “Dude, I’m so pleased for you.”
I laugh as he gives me a bearhug. “Thank you. We might yet be able to have a joint engagement party.”
“Scarlett was hoping. She said Chessie is crazy about you, and girls seem to know these things.”