Page 19 of Now & Forever
“Beautiful kid, James.” Ian swiped through some of the photos, most of them taken as recently as that Monday. “You’ve gotta be proud.”
“I am. I want to do right by that kid, you know.”
“Of course you do. I hope the Welshes aren’t stonewalling you.”
James considered that for a moment. “They’ve been quite accommodating at including me in my own son’s life, although Sarah made sure I knew I had little say in his upbringing. Unless I wanted to make him my heir, of course.”
“Well? Aren’t you?”
“Aren’t I what?”
Ian cocked his head. “Making him your heir. I thought you and Gwen weren’t having kids, and you’re gonna need an heir at some point.”
“I’m sure that’s what they’re hoping for. I haven’t decided yet. Would rather see how he turns out, you know?”
“Of course.”
James could’ve used the opportunity to flip the script on Ian. Maybe goad him about whathewould do about heirs, since Kathryn was not the baby begetting type, let alone a motherly personality. Even if the Alison family died out with her – since God knew they didn’t do anything with their money anymore – there were still the Mathers, who had a healthy and thriving hospitality company. Ian was set to take that over, but where did that leave future generations? It was a conundrum James was too familiar with.
But James was too absorbed in his thoughts to play games with Ian. “I’m worried about Gwen,” he said.
Ian sighed, as if he had known that was coming. “She doesn’t look that happy anymore.”
“Can you blame her?”
“No. Now she knows for sure that your family hates her.”
“She’s always known that. Besides, my mom doesn’t hate her. My mom’s too spineless to do anything about how my father treats Gwen. That’s why I have to pull double-duty on that front.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah, well…” Ian didn’t understand. His parentslovedKathryn, and her father was quite fond of him. He rarely dealt with the kind of familial drama that resulted in destroyed bonds and terrible rumors that haunted children for life.Do you know what it’s like for everyone to know your dad’s fucking some other married woman? Do you know what it’s like for people to joke that you’re half-siblings with the mother of your child?James had walked into many rooms of quieted laughter that past year. He knew he was the object of every joke. “I think Gwen’s gonna leave me.”
“Nah. No way.”
James tapped his forehead against the card table. “You don’t get it. I’m not sure how we’re going to get past what’s happened. She’s like this otherworldly creature now. I see her, I hear her, God knows I feel her vibes every time we’re in the same room… but I can’t penetrate the veil she’s drawn. I think she’s girding herself for breaking up with me. Cut me off now so it doesn’t hurt as much when she actually does it.”
“She knows this shit isn’t your fault, right? She can’t possibly think you actually had an affair with Cassandra.” Was that a hiss in Ian’s voice?
“You say that like you didn’t enjoy dating her.”
“There’s a reason I broke up with her.”
“She dumpedyou.”
Ian shrugged. “It wouldn’t have worked out. She’s the wrong kind of emotionally volatile for me.” He grinned. “I like my mates running themselves ragged because they’re overachievers, as you may have noticed. Lot easier to getthosekinds to calm down.”
“Cassandra is volatile, all right.” Volatile enough to think it was a good idea to steal her childhood friend’s sperm and ride off with his baby. “She’s lucky I don’t want to fight for custody. I would make her life such hell if I wanted. Probably kill her.” James didn’t say that with any joy. The thought of doing that to a woman he once held so dear hurt his poor, empathetic heart.Dad always did say my ability to feel things would be the end of me.Albert would know all about that.
“Why didn’t you ever go out with her?” Ian asked. “God knows everyone thought it would happen before you ended up with Gwen.”
“Are you asking from a place of genuine curiosity?”
“Naturally.”
James held up one of his blue chips, the rigid edges tickling her fingertips as it rolled between his thumb and forefinger. “It wasn’t ever like that with her. We grew up together. Some people see growing up together as a precursor for adult romance, and guys like me… well, those girls become sisters, not dates.” He put the chip down. “In another life, if I were still single and she was desperate…”
“Yeah?”
