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“Afternoon, class.”

“Afternoon, Ms April.” They chorus. My focus moves from Scarlett and my evening planned with Cal to the teenagers in front of me.

CHAPTER 62

CALEB

Kat has come through. Everything is organised. Our accommodation, our travel. April is sitting next to me, clutching my hand as if it’s a lifeline, and I’m happy to let her.

“You’ve not heard a word I’ve said, have you?” I say, turning my body to face hers.

“Huh?”

“My point exactly,” I chuckle, gaining her attention. “Do you want to talk about it?”

She scrunches up her nose.

I take her face in my hands and drop a kiss on the offending wrinkle. “April, you’ve been staring into space for the past hour, have grunted answers to every question I’ve asked. It’s not surprising, you’ve got a lot on your mind. You’re about to meet the woman who gave birth to you, a woman you haven’t seen in twenty-two years.”

“Sorry,” she says, pulling absentmindedly at her lips.

“Don’t be sorry,” I say, rubbing my thumb over her lips. “I just want you to know. You’re not alone. I’m here for you if you’ll let me.”

She tilts her head into one of my hands, as she looks at me, her eyes clearing.

She sighs.

“I don’t know what to think, or what to say. My mind is like the inside of a washing machine on a fast spin cycle. Everything is going around and around in my head. Rolling over itself. Every sentence, question, sounds wrong. Suppose she hates me? What if I despise her? What do I do? What if I can’t get past all this? We end up hurting each other more than we already have. What then? And then, of course… what if we get on? How do I shut away all the hurt I’ve got bottled up inside and move forward?”

I pull her into my arms, and I’m amazed when she comes willingly. She rests her head above my heart, and I draw her closer, rubbing circles on her back. When she closes her eyes, I kiss the top of her head.

“What will be, will be.”

I smooth her hair back from her face. “This meeting is just a point in time. How you navigate it, after tomorrow, will depend on so many factors. Try not to second guess. Just be yourself. I’m here with you.”

Whether she appreciates my lack of platitudes I don’t know, but I have a feeling telling April.She’s going to love you. You’re going to love her,won’t help matters. Guarantees do not exist, and we are both aware of that.

She wraps an arm around my waist and squeezes, “Thank you for being here with me,” she whispers.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” I tell her honestly.

We stay like that for the rest of the journey.

April’s jawdrops when we pull up outside the hotel. UnlikeNew York, this is one of our boutique hotels. A style more reminiscent of our family home.

“Cal, this is stunning,” she whispers as Mason pulls up on the gravel driveway. The bellboy collects our cases, and I take April’s hand in mine as he leads us through the large double doorway and into reception.

“Welcome Mr Frazer, Ms Wilson. We hope you enjoy your stay. If there’s anything I can do. Please ask.”

“Thank you, Miriam,” I say, greeting the manageress. “Can I confirm you have reserved the private sitting room for our meeting tomorrow?”

She smiles warmly. “Of course. We’ve set it aside for the day, as requested. Someone will take tea and coffee orders when your guest arrives, and we’ll serve lunch when you indicate. Your sister was very clear in her instructions.”

“That sounds perfect,” I say. Kat likes April and will want everything to be perfect. That thought alone eases my mind, and hopefully Aprils. “Are we in the family suite?”

“You are,” Miriam holds out a key card embossed with the Frazer family logo. “Your bags have already been taken up. Mason wanted me to let you know he’s in Room 42, should you need him. Can I book you a table in the restaurant for this evening, or would you prefer room service?”

I look at April, taking note of the dark rings around her eyes. “Room service,” I say without a second thought.