Page 17 of Discretion

We weren’t more. We’d never beenmore. But for a brief time, I’d felt like the center of his universe.

I sighed and went to wake Kai. It was only my second day, and I was already running late.

I grabbed his favorite stuffed animal, an axolotl named Figgy.

“Morning, Kai!” I said in a high-pitched voice that Kai always found funny.

He grumbled and turned so he was facing away from me.

I had Figgy pounce up his arm to his shoulder, peeking over to look at Kai’s face. “Time to get up. I’m ready to go to school. I like to axolotl questions.”

He giggled, finally peeking his head out of the covers.

After that, we rushed through the morning routine, and I was grateful we didn’t have a long commute. As part of my relocation package, the company had put us up in one of the Huxley Grand LA suites. It had a full kitchen, living room, and two bedrooms with their own bathrooms. It was nice, but it wasn’t home. As I often reminded myself, it was temporary.

After I dropped Kai off at the on-site employee childcare center, I headed up to the office. I was grateful that Kai would be close, but also, that he’d be getting a good foundation for when he started kindergarten in the fall, thanks to the pre-K program here that was led by a retired kindergarten teacher.

I peeked down the hall at Jasper’s office, relieved the door was closed. I’d survived one encounter with him; I wasn’t sure I could handle another.

After I checked in with Sloan, I set to work. I was so immersed in my report that I didn’t realize how late it had gotten until my laptop chimed with a calendar alert. I loggedoff my computer, my excitement growing. I’d pored over the art dealer’s extensive catalogue, and I couldn’t wait to see his collection in person.

Dimitri was known to be a shrewd businessman, but I wasn’t easily intimidated. So I shoved my laptop into my tote bag and practically floated down the hall to Sloan’s office. I rapped on the open door and peeked my head in, unable to hold back the smile from my face. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. The art wasn’t even for my home, and yet, it felt like I was receiving a gift.

I was honored that Sloan had entrusted me with such an important project. But when I caught sight of her, I frowned. “Hey.” I stepped closer. “You okay? You look flushed.”

“I’m—” She moved to stand but then promptly sank back down into the chair. She looked as if she might faint. “Yeah. I just need a minute, and then I’ll be fine.”

I wasn’t so sure about that, but Sloan knew her body better than anyone else. So, I gave her a minute, trying not to stress about how late it was and how much time traffic would add to our commute. I didn’t want to heap even more anxiety onto the situation. Nothing was as important as the health of Sloan and her unborn child.

“Do you want something to eat? To drink?”

“Maybe some water,” she said, standing.

“Sit,” I barked, the word coming out harsher than I’d intended.

I hadn’t been with her when she’d had her health scare in France, but I knew it had been bad enough that she’d had to go to the hospital. The fact that Jackson had been scared was just as worrisome. After they’d returned, he’d asked me to keep a close eye on Sloan.

I’d already been monitoring the situation, but I tried to be even more proactive about Sloan’s workload after France. She and I had discussed ways to manage her stress, but therewas only so much that could be done, considering her role in the company. And once Graham had stepped down as CEO, she had even more on her plate.

I handed Sloan a glass of cold water, watching her. Waiting. For what, I didn’t know, but I hoped it didn’t get worse.

Sloan sipped the water slowly, closing her eyes briefly. “Thank you.” Her shoulders relaxed. “I’ll be ready in a minute.”

I narrowed my eyes, watching her like a hawk. I got the feeling she was trying to downplay her symptoms. And after what had happened in France, I wasn’t taking any chances.

“Maybe we should reschedule,” I said, doing my best to make it sound like a suggestion. She was my boss after all, but she was also my friend.

She shook her head. “I don’t want to reschedule. You know how difficult it was to get this appointment in the first place.”

“We’ll get another one,” I said. “Your health comes first.”

There was a knock at the door. “Hey, Sloan. You got a?—”

I looked over my shoulder, and Jasper froze mid-step. I briefly registered his navy pinstripe suit. It was tailored to perfection, showcasing his trim but muscular form.

His hazel eyes bounced from me to Sloan, and then he sped toward her. “What’s wrong? Blood sugar? Blood pressure?”

“Jasper,” she sighed. “I’m fine.”