Page 132 of Playing the Game
She swept her up in her arms and cuddled her close.
“Mummy will never leave you again. I promise.”
Olive grabbed some of Jen’s dark curls.
“She looks well,” Jen said.
“Nothing to it,” Adam replied.
Jen narrowed her eyes. “Who helped?”
“Goran and Paloma.”
Jen nuzzled Olive.
“Jen. This is Jonas.”
“Jonas. Apologies for totally ignoring you.”
Jonas kissed her on the cheek. “I am more than happy to be upstaged by this beauty.”
They stood and stared at each other for what felt like an age.
“I think we should have a chat,” Jen said.
“If you want to talk alone, I’m more than happy to go home,” Jonas repeated to Jen.
“Not at all. Once we’ve done the chat, it’ll be nice to get to know you.”
Adam resembled someone being taken to the gallows. Jonas wanted to run and put his arms around him. Yet, it didn’t seem like the right thing to do. If Jen was still fragile, he didn’t want her to feel ganged up on.
Instead, he took the chair and let them both settle on one of the couches.
Jen shifted Olive in her arms. She was already dropping to sleep.
“She missed you,” Adam said.
“Adam,” Jen began. “While I’ve been away, I’ve been doing some thinking.”
Jonas could hardly bear to watch this. Was Adam about to have his heart smashed into pieces?
“Okay?”
“I’m not going back into influencing,” she announced. “That wouldn’t be right with a baby. I’ve no intention of using her and let’s face it, when am I never with her?”
“What are you going to do?”
Jen kissed the top of Olive’s head. “I’m not sure yet. I’ve got some money saved.”
To Jonas’ horror, Adam let out a sob. Jen took hold of his hand.
“What’s the matter?”
“I have to know. Are you going to take her away from me?”
“Adam. Of course I’m not. The total opposite, you goon.”
“What do you mean?”
