Page 25 of The Billionaire's Obsession: Florida

“You like him. And he likes you. A lot.”

Her shoulders slumped as she set her mug back on the table and toyed with a napkin. She had never been able to hide much from Helen. “I do. I just don’t want to expect too much. Simon isn’t into commitments. I get that.” Sort of. “He’s never even had a steady girlfriend.”

Helen reached out her hand, resting it over the fingers that Kara was using to slowly rip up a paper napkin. “It doesn’t mean that he can’t or won’t.” Helen let out a heavy breath. “Something happened to Simon when he was sixteen and he’s never been the same, Kara. He’s always been quiet, my intelligent little boy with his face firmly planted in a book and as studious as any parent could ever wish for. But he was also humane, the type of child that would rescue any stray. I remember how badly Sam used to tease him about his bleeding heart. There was hardly a day that went by that Simon wasn’t dragging home a lost animal or trying to right some wrong.” Helen squirmed uncomfortably on the bench seat. “But I think he lost that when he was sixteen.”

Kara squeezed Helen’s hand. “He didn’t lose it. It’s still there. Look at how he’s helping me. I know something happened. I don’t know the specifics, Helen, but he’s still as kind as he’s always been.”

“That’s just it. He wasn’t before he met you. You’re the first person outside the family who he’s cared about in a whole lot of years. It gives me hope.”

Kara flinched. “Please, don’t get your hopes up. We’re friends. That’s it. Just consider me a stray that he’s rescuing.”

Helen beamed as she pulled her hand away and grasped her coffee mug, shooting Kara a knowing look. “Yeah, well, then you’re the first stray he’s taken in for about sixteen years. I’d say that’s kind of significant.”

Kara did the math, her heart pumping. Of course, the party.Simon’s turning thirty-two tomorrow.

“I’m sure that’s not true. He probably just didn’t tell you.” Certainly, she couldn’t be the first person he had helped since the unknown incident that had changed him at the age of sixteen.

Helen laughed and said cryptically, “I’m his mother. I have eyes in the back of my head. Ask my boys. It irritates the hell out of them that I know things even when they haven’t told me.”

Do you know that Simon can only have sex with women if they’re blindfolded and tied?Kara was pretty sure that Helen wasn’t privy to that information, and she sure as hell wasn’t telling her. There were just some things that mothers shouldn’t know. Still, she wondered about Simon’s supposed years of isolation, of containing his rescuer tendencies. It made her chest tight to think about what had happened to Simon, what had changed him from that sweet young boy to an isolated, detached adult.

Was he really changing? He was aloof at times, and a little bit insular, but Kara didn’t think she could ever imagine him as uncaring or completely solitary. There were some things that were just…Simon.

Gruff…check.

Cranky…check.

Bossy…check.

Controlling…sometimes.

Kind…definitely check! Beneath his rough exterior, he had a very good heart.

Sexy…check, check, check.

He was also witty, smart, and completely irresistible in more ways than she could count.

“Hopefully, he’ll tell me what happened someday,” Kara whispered to herself.

“I hope he does. He needs to talk about it and leave it in the past,” Helen replied quietly.

Oh, hell. Simon’s mother had heard her comment. In addition to eyes in the back of her head, Helen must also have supersonic hearing.

“Do you know what happened?” Kara asked her friend curiously.

Looking uncomfortable, Helen replied, “I know the event. He nearly died. But I don’t think I know everything.” Helen’s expression was grim.

“It’s a painful memory for you. I’m sorry.” Kara vowed to never take her friend down this road again. She hated seeing the woman who was like a second mother to her looking so forlorn.

“There are a lot of memories in the distant past that are painful. I can’t always avoid them. My boys went through a childhood that they never should have had. That no child should ever experience. I should have done more, protected them better.” Helen’s eyes were filled with pain, as though remembering that painful past and the toll it had taken on them all.

“Stop. Right now. Simon and Sam both turned out fine. They’re sons to be proud of, Helen. You did your best and it shows.” Kara hated that mournful expression on Helen’s face. “You don’t have to have a perfect childhood to grow into a terrific adult. Look at me.” She smiled broadly, trying to cheer Helen up with humor.

Helen smiled weakly. “Sometimes I forget how hard you’ve had it, sweetie. Your parents left you alone too young, but they raised you right.”

“And you raised your boys right. I don’t know Sam, but I do know Simon. He’s a wonderful man,” Kara told her friend honestly. Hoping to change the subject and see Helen smile again, she was determined to change the topic. No good could come out of Helen wishing that she had raised her children differently. Kara knew Helen, and that her friend had done her best to raise her two boys, whatever the circumstances might have been. “Simon invited me to Sam’s party tomorrow.”

Helen laughed. “Simon’s annual birthday bash, hosted by none other than his brother, Sam. You are going to go, aren’t you?”

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