Page 104 of Discretion

I turned to face Jasper, my heart in my throat. I tilted my head back to look at him, to really see him. This wonderful, caring, loving man who adored my son and me. Who would do anything for us.

“I love you too.”

He smiled and cupped my cheek, glancing over at the couch before pressing his lips to mine. The kiss was sweet and chaste, but I could feel his love all the same.

I turned so we were both facing the couch, sliding my arm around his waist. He draped his arm over my shoulder. He was so solid and reassuring. I knew I could do this on my own, but it was nice that I no longer had to.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Idrummed my fingers against my desk, impatiently waiting for an update from Halle. My assistant and I had just finished going through my calendar, and she was getting closer to confirming a date with the woman who’d won me in the bachelorx auction. To say I wasn’t looking forward to spending an evening with another woman was an understatement.

The only woman I wanted to spend time with was Halle. I might be at the office, but my mind was on her and Kai. I could only imagine how she felt after dealing with this for as long as she had. For having doctors, her ex, doubt her instincts.

And poor Kai. If last night was any indication, he’d been through a lot. I’d spent the night at their place, though I’d slept on the couch. Kai had thrown up a few more times, but we’d kept him comfortable and hydrated. I could see the exhaustion in Halle’s eyes, and I felt it too. The worry. The love.

Kai couldn’t keep living like this. Halle either. I didn’t want her to have to continue to wait for answers. Nor forKai to have to continue to wait for relief. So, I’d pulled some strings and gotten a next-day appointment for Kai with one of the best pediatric GIs in the city. She was usually booked solid, but her office had been able to work them in this morning.

Halle: I like the GI a lot. She’s ordering some blood tests and wants Kai to have an endoscopy.

An endoscopy?Shit. That seemed like a big deal, but I didn’t want to alarm Halle.

Me: How do you feel about that?

Halle: I’m glad my concerns are finally being taken seriously.

So wasI. I couldn’t believe Craig had dismissed her fears. There was no way the symptoms Kai was experiencing were normal or acceptable. And the idea that Kai’s father—the man who was supposed to be looking out for him, protecting him—had ignored or downplayed what his son was going through made me irrationally angry.

Me: Me too. Let me know if I can do anything to help.

Halle: Thanks. I’ll tell you the rest of what she said later. Sorry I had to miss the meeting today.

I didn’t givea shit about the meeting, and I didn’t want Halle to worry about it either. Kai absolutely came first.

Me: Focus on Kai. Work will be here when you get back.

Halle: Thanks.

Me: Rosie and I would love to see you and Kai tonight.

Who was I kidding?Rosie practically lived with Halle and Kai. There were many times, especially lately, that I found myself jealous—of a dog.

Halle: We’d love that.

I smiled,but before I could respond, there was a knock at my office door. I was surprised to find Pierce standing at the threshold.

“Pierce, hey.” I stood, rounding the desk to greet him with a handshake and a hug. “How are you?”

“Good. And you?”

“I’m good.” Better than good. I was still worried about Kai, but I knew he was in good hands.

“And your family?” Pierce asked, though I wasn’t sure why. He was practically family himself. He could’ve called up any one of my siblings and asked how they were. Hell, sometimes I wondered why he wasn’t part of the family group chat.

“They’re good.”

“You sure?” he asked.

I eyed him. What was his deal? “Yeah. I’m sure.”