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“Are you still doing business with that slave driver of a son of mine? Is he working you too hard?”
Pen laughs and places an arm around my mother’s shoulders. “He couldn’t if he wanted to.”
Mum huffs. “He’s still being a grumpy bastard, then?”
Leah begins to choke.
I grab a glass of juice from a passing waiter and hand it to her.
“It’s okay, Leah, I’m under no illusions about my children. Speaking of sons, has my eldest apologised to you?”
Leah squirms.
“I raised him better than that. I’m sorry.” I watch in amazement as my mother steps up and pats Leah’s cheek. “And you can stop looking smug,” she says, looking directly at me. “Don’t think last night’s discussion is over.”
I’m amazed how a woman who stands at just five foot two, can be as foreboding as my mother, but she has it in spades.
“Not any of your business, mother,” I add, wrapping both arms around Leah’s waist once Lottie steps away.
“Then make sure you look after Leah, or there will be consequences. Your bank balance might be greater than mine, but you’re still my son,” she says before turning and leaving us to socialise with some of her friends.
“I feel like someone dropped me into an episode of the Twilight Zone,” Leah says, leaning back against me.
My arms instinctively tighten around her.
“I often feel the same way.”
My gaze catches my friend’s, and she grins at me. I return her smile, and her eyebrows almost reach her hairline.
“Leah has that effect on me.”
CHAPTER 45
LEAH
Stella stands up and pulls me in for a hug.
“I’ve missed you,” she says, before holding me away from her. Her eyes roaming over me.
I grin and step back.
“It’s only been a month,” I laugh. “How was New York?”
She waggles her eyebrows. “Full of sexy American men, an amazing night life and lots of work, that prevented me from enjoying either,” she says dropping back into her seat and laughing.
“Well, you look well on it,” I say.
“I feel good,” she says. “They say, a change is as good as a rest, and it’s just what I needed. Enough about me. How are things with you and Mr Sexy?”
I suck in my lips to prevent my grin. “I’m pregnant,” I say with a gush. I hadn’t wanted to tell her over the phone. I wanted to see her reaction.
“What!” she screams, jumping up and pulling me out of my seat, oblivious to the other patrons of the coffee shop. “Oh. My. God.” She squeals. “I promise to be the best adopted aunty, godmother.” She grabs me again in another bear hug, before releasing me and placing her palms on my stomach. “This little one could ever ask for. You are going to be so loved and spoiled.”
Tears are glistening in her eyes. It’s my turn to pull her in for a hug.
“You daft bat,” I say, manoeuvring her back into her seat.
We sit smiling at one another until our drinks arrive.
