LITMIR.BIZ

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can handle it,” he growled, finding his voice.

      “Alex, Danny wouldn’t expect you—”

      “It’s settled, Lindsey,” he said in a tone that would brook no further argument. “I’m not skipping out on my godson’s birthday party. Now what time should I be there?”

      She hesitated. Then, in a resigned tone, said, “Seven o’clock. I’m afraid to make it any later. Or the guest of honor will be nodding off before he gets to open his presents.”

      “Seven o’clock will be fine,” he said firmly.

      “Alex, are you sure—”

      “Lindsey, give me a break. It’s too early for an argument. I haven’t even had a cup of coffee yet.”

      He heard her soft sigh, a whispery breath across the phone line. “All right, Alex. I’ll see you tonight.”

      “G’bye, Lindsey.”

      He waited, listening for the click of her phone to disconnect before he hung up the receiver. Once she was gone, the bedroom felt too quiet, too empty. He laid back on his bed and brooded over his conversation with Lindsey.

      “Stubborn, fool woman,” he muttered to the four walls. “She has enough to worry about. She doesn’t need to add my social life to the list.”

      As usual, when it came to dealing with Lindsey, his anger quickly dissipated. These past two years hadn’t been easy for her, he reminded himself. Danny’s death had been unexpected. His loss was a devastating blow for all of them. For Lindsey, most especially.

      She wasn’t prepared, financially or emotionally, for the unspeakable. Typical of Danny, he’d believed himself to be invincible. He hadn’t bothered with life insurance and he’d just socked away most of their savings in a down payment on a house, a rambling, old fixer-upper in Kirkwood. The house had great potential, a big yard, lots of room, a perfect home for a growing family. But it was also a money pit. Something always needed to be repaired. After Danny’s death, Lindsey had been left scrambling to make ends meet.

      Not that she would have admitted any of this to him.

      The only way he’d found out about her monetary problems was through her brother, Rick. Alex’s offer of financial assistance had been graciously yet firmly turned down. Instead, Lindsey chose to work two jobs on top of raising her son, just so she wouldn’t lose the house that she held in loving tribute to her late husband.

      The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth, one that he refused to attribute to jealousy. Long ago, Alex had accepted that any romantic feeling he may have toward Lindsey was merely an exercise in futility. Lindsey had loved Danny. She still loved him very deeply. Their being apart was a tragedy. Besides, how could he be jealous of his best friend, a man who’d been cheated out of the best years of his life?

      Alex shifted uncomfortably in his bed. Lindsey might be too stubborn to accept a simple loan of money—a loan that he could well afford to make—but he’d be damned if his moral support would be brushed aside with as much ease. As long as Lindsey and his godson needed him, he intended to be there for them.

      It was the least she could do for the widow of his best friend.

      The phone rang again.

      Alex glared at the instrument. Lindsey, again. She’d probably thought of a new excuse why he shouldn’t bother attending his own godson’s birthday party. He snatched the phone from its cradle.

      “You know, it’s a good thing I don’t have a woman in bed with me this morning,” he growled. “I’d have a hell of a time explaining all these phone calls if I did.”

      Dead silence met his terse greeting.

      Then, after a discreet clearing of a feminine throat, an older woman’s voice responded, “Well, Alex, thank you for sharing that bit of information with me. I’m not sure whether I should be relieved or disappointed.”

      “Mom?” Alex moaned as he thunked a hand against his forehead.

      “Obviously, you were expecting someone else.”

      “Yes, I mean... no. Mom, do you have any idea what time it is?”

      “Yes, dear. It’s ten minutes after seven in the morning.”

      “Seven o’clock Florida time, Mom. It’s only six here.”

      “I know that, dear. I didn’t want to miss you before you left for work.” Her dismissive tone grated against Alex’s nerves.

      “I wanted to talk to you about next weekend. Remember? The wedding? You are coming, aren’t you?”

      “Of course, I’m coming. My baby sister’s getting married. Did you think I’d miss it?”

      “Well, I know how busy you and Jon have been lately.” She clucked her tongue disapprovingly. “I still don’t understand why you and Jon needed M.B.A.s to sell tennis shoes. But your father assures me you’re both doing fine, and I shouldn’t worry.”

      They were doing more than fine. Lobo Shoes, the company he and Jon had founded shortly after graduating from college, was the fastest growing athletic shoe company on the market. It wouldn’t be long before. they’d be giving Reebok and Nike a run for their money, no pun intended.

      “Look, Mom—”

      She never gave him a chance to finish. “I’ve been trying to get hold of Jon, but no one’s answering at his house.”

      Alex sighed. “Jon’s out of town. We’re expanding into the West Coast market. He’s making sure things go smoothly. I’m sure Jon said he’d be flying in with Rachel on Thursday for the wedding.”

      “And how about you, Alex? Will you be bringing anyone to the wedding? Anyone special?”

      He grimaced at her hopeful tone. “No, Mom.”

      “Alex,” she said, her disappointment obvious. “Your brother’s been married almost five years. Now, even your younger sister is getting married. Don’t you think it’s time you stopped this galavanting around and found yourself a nice girl to settle down with?”

      Alex groaned. First Lindsey. Now his mother. Why was everyone suddenly so concerned about his social life?

      At six o’clock in the morning, however, Alex wasn’t up to an argument with his mother. “Yeah, Mom, maybe someday,” he sighed. “Just as soon as I meet the right woman—”

      “Alexander Hale Trent, you’ve been avoiding the marriage altar for so long, you wouldn’t recognize the right woman if she were standing under your own nose.”

      Alex gritted his teeth.

      She continued. “Now, there’ll be plenty of eligible young women at the wedding. Do you remember Rosemary Plinkton? Stephanie’s maid of honor? Her friend from college? She isn’t married and she’s such a sweet young thing. I’m sure you two will hit it off just fine—”

      “Mom, don’t even consider trying any matchmaking during the wedding.” He assumed his most threatening tone. “Or I swear, it’ll be the last time you’ll see me in Florida.”

      “Oh, pooh,” she said, not in the least bit intimidated. “Did anyone ever tell you you’re awfully grumpy in the morning?”

      Alex stifled a groan. “Mom, I’ve got to get ready for work.”

      “Of course, Alex,” his mother trilled. “I’ll see you on Wednesday. Have a wonderful day!”

      The phone line clicked. Slowly, Alex returned the receiver to its cradle, staring at the instrument in disbelief. Had it really been only ten minutes ago when he’d been sound asleep in his bed, not a care in the world, enjoying what promised to be the most erotic dream of his life? It seemed like a lifetime ago.

      Since awakening, he’d gotten into a disagreement with one of

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