Read Online Kismet: A Serendipity Novella by Carly Phillips - Free Book Online Page B

o’clock rolled
around, Trevor was ready to get her out of there and be alone with
her, when Alex waylaid him.
    Together they walked to a private corner.
“She’s something special,” Alex said.
    Trevor inclined his head. “That much I
know.”
    “But? I sensed tension from her earlier
tonight.”
    Trevor nodded. Alex had always been
perceptive. It was why he’d done so well in business. He was good
at reading people. “She doesn’t think she belongs here,” he said,
frowning at the notion.
    Alex raised an eyebrow. “Did anyone say
something to make her think that?” he asked angrily.
    “No. It goes back a long time,” Trevor said,
not wanting to divulge Lissa’s personal insecurities. “She thinks
we live in different worlds now.”
    “I see.” Alex nodded knowingly. “She does
have a valid point.”
    Narrowing his gaze, Trevor glared at his
friend. “What exactly does that mean?”
    “Breathe, boy.” Alex laughed and gestured
toward a passing waiter to bring them each a drink. “Serendipity
isn’t exactly Manhattan. Can you blame her for feeling a little out
of place? I’m sure she’ll adjust in time.”
    “Only if she wants to.”
    “You both have to want to,” Alex said.
    Before Trevor could respond, the waiter
returned with two glasses on his tray. “Scotch on the rocks,” he
said.
    Trevor accepted a glass, as did Alex. “Thank
you.” The waiter nodded and walked away.
    “They’re hitting it off,” Alex said, his
gaze drifting toward the corner of the room where Emma had pulled
Lissa away for a private chat.
    Trevor was grateful the other woman was
making an effort at helping Lissa feel more comfortable, but he
didn’t plan on leaving her alone for too long.
    As always, Alex’s gaze softened as he looked
at his wife. The man, a shark in the boardroom, was a marshmallow
at home. “Relationships are a two-way street, you know.”
    “I’m trying,” Trevor said. Hell, he was
doing his damndest to convince her they could make a go of it.
“It’s only been two days ...” His voice trailed off, knowing time
didn’t mean a damned thing. They’d known each other for too
long.
    “But there are ten years to get over,” Alex
said. “Not to mention a lot’s happened in that time. You’ve been a
confirmed bachelor, while she’s a mother.”
    As always, the reminder felt like a physical
punch in Trevor’s gut. “I know.”
    “Do you?” Alex asked, putting a hand on
Trevor’s shoulder in a fatherly gesture.
    “What are you saying?” Trevor asked.
    “Just this. Before you ask her for anything,
make sure you can handle her life and everything that comes with
it. It’s not fair of you to ask her to let you into her life unless
you’re sure you want all of her, including her child.”
    His stomach cramped and he suddenly felt the
weight of responsibility he hadn’t thought of before. “We haven’t
discussed it,” Trevor said.
    “And you haven’t given it much thought
because you’ve spent the weekend in bed,” Alex said, guessing
correctly.
    Trevor broke into a sweat. He wasn’t sure
whether to thank Alex for making him face the truth, or to deck him
for bringing it up.
    “One thing is for sure—no matter how you
come by them, children are a lifetime responsibility and when
they’re stepchildren, so are their biological parents,” Alex said.
“Now, I know I’ve given you a lot to think about. Let’s go join the
women.”
    With a new weight on his shoulders, Trevor
followed Alex over to Lissa, suddenly panicked, knowing he couldn’t
possibly jump into the idea of being her daughter’s father
overnight.
    Alex was right. Either Trevor was all in or
he bailed before either of them got hurt.
    And deep down, he feared it was too late for
that.
    *
    Trevor was silent on the way home. Too
silent, and Lissa couldn’t help but fear his thoughts. For the last
two days, she’d been telling herself this weekend was all they
had—but inside, she couldn’t deny there was a