Page 67 of Silver Fox's Secret Baby

“Hey. How are you?”

“Fine.” Her voice, usually so full of life, came across strained and tired.

“Is everything okay? You sound... off."

"Long day, that's all."

"Is Pax okay?" I wished I were there to take him to all the other fun things in Southern California.

"He zonked out about a half-hour ago. What about you? Is everything okay?”

"Yes. Or it will be. I just wanted to hear your voice before I went to bed."

“Really?” She sounded surprised.

“Yes, really.” I wanted to tell her more, but I didn’t want to do it on the phone.

She sighed. “My dad called me today.”

“What?” That motherfucker. “What did he want?”

“It’s not important.”

“Of course it’s important.” I wanted her to feel like she could talk to me. I wanted to be her champion, her protector.

“He just wants me to stop contesting the will. Alex sounds like he has a lead, though.”

“Is there something I can do?”

“No. I do want to talk to you when I get back, though.”

“About?” My heart thundered in my chest wondering if she wanted to confess her love. I laughed inwardly. She probably wanted to talk about her business. Or, heaven forbid, moving on. Well, I wouldn’t let that happen. Or I’d try to stop it. I needed to come up with a big way to show her how much I felt for her, how much I wanted her and Pax in my life. Perhaps I could take them on a trip. Somewhere warm like the Caribbean. I could picture Samantha in her bikini and Pax making sandcastles in the sand.

“It can wait. Have you heard from Tori?”

I didn’t want to wait, but knew I had no choice. “I spoke on the phone with her. She sounded tired but good.”

“Alex says she’s ready to not be pregnant anymore. God, I remember that feeling.”

I imagined Samantha round with child. I envied the man who’d created Pax with her. “Do you want more children?” I asked before thinking.

“Ah... yeah... maybe. How about you?”

I laughed. “I was thinking I was past my prime.”

“I think you’re prime.”

I grinned. “Do you? Did you get that impression last night or in your office this morning?”

“Both.”

I could picture her cheeks pink from sexual innuendo. “Guess what I found in my pocket tonight?”

“I can’t imagine.”

“Really. I was thinking you must have had a draft under your dress today.”

She laughed. “What are you doing with them?”