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She didn’t say anything for a moment, as though digesting his words—weighing them. He willed her with his eyes to believe him. He’d never had a problem getting a woman to believe him before—but Lea wasn’t just any woman.
“If I was smart, I’d turn you down.” She no longer looked upset. “But as my mother used to say, a beggar can’t be choosy. And if you mean it about lending a hand, it just might help me land a buyer.”
That wasn’t exactly what he had in mind, but he could only deal with one problem at a time. For the moment, he had Lea’s blessing to remain in her life. He didn’t miss the enormity of the event. But he also realized that in order to keep Lea in his life, it was going to take more of a commitment from him than he’d originally planned on.
So he’d have to move this thing with Lea along—his plan would now have two parts. First, he would find a way to pay off her debts, as this island was special. It truly was starting to grow on him. And second, he needed to do something for the baby—something more than providing financial support. The thought churned in the back of his mind.
But he had to know exactly what he was up against. “How is the search for a buyer going?”
“I’ve actually had a number of inquiries. But none have panned out.”
“Have you given more thought to contacting your parents?” Xander didn’t want her to leave Greece—with each passing day he was certain it was a big possibility. It might be the only thing he was certain of at this moment.
“I... I haven’t had a chance to speak with them. I’ve been so busy with the sale of the island.”
“I see.” But he didn’t. Not really.
“What?”
He sent her an innocent look. “I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t have to. You have that look on your face.”
“What look?” He was a master at the poker face. It had played a large role in getting him to the top of his profession.
“The look that says you don’t believe me.”
“Why wouldn’t I believe you? Or maybe I should ask why I shouldn’t believe you?”
Lea turned to the window, keeping him from reading the emotions reflected in her expressive eyes. “I’ve been busy. I haven’t had time to think about it.”
So she was procrastinating. As much as he wanted to keep Lea in his life, he wanted her to have the support of a loving family—something he’d had a glimpse of when he was very young.
“You should call.”
She turned to him with her arms crossed over her chest. “Aren’t you being a bit bossy?”
He wasn’t going to be distracted. “I mean it, Lea. Life is unpredictable. And it’s short. Don’t waste this time.”
Her gaze changed. “You aren’t talking about me anymore, are you?”
“Of course I am.”
“I’m pretty certain you’re not.” She approached him and stared deep into his eyes. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Xander rubbed the back of his neck. He hadn’t wanted to get into this. For many years he’d pretended that his parents didn’t exist. Which was a reason he’d avoided his sister for much of that time. She loved the memory of their parents and was forever touting their parents’ merits. He never corrected his sister when she said how much their father loved him. It wouldn’t have done a thing to make either of them feel better.
As such, he’d kept his distance from his sister until she lost her husband. Xander would have done anything to make her happy—even when she came up with this plan for them to go into business together. When Stasia threatened to go into the real estate market with or without him, he couldn’t let her venture into uncharted water without him. He wouldn’t let her lose her entire savings.
“Xander, talk to me.” Lea’s coaxing voice dragged him from his thoughts.
He shook his head, chasing away the memories. “You don’t want to hear this.”
“I do. If you’ll tell me.”
He glanced around the office, suddenly feeling boxed in. “Not here.”
Without waiting to hear if she was going to accompany him, he headed for the door. The memories of his childhood came rushing back to him. He needed to get outside. He recalled how he’d constantly done things to get his parents’ attention, especially his father’s. When good things didn’t garner words of praise, he’d turned to the bad things. Xander squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block the flashes of memories. Still, they kept coming. The good ones. And the bad ones.
