Read Online Suddenly Love by Carly Phillips - Free Book Online Page B

group of guests. By the time ten 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