Chapter 30
HARPER
“Brooke.”
I glance up to find Sophia marching towards me. She’s dressed head to toe in St Clair’s latest winter collection, a picture of grace and elegance.
I stand as she arrives at my desk.
“Sophia, it’s lovely to see you. Is Alex expecting you?”
I know from his schedule that he isn’t, but then I wouldn’t necessarily know if she called ahead. He’s in focus time, so he may have decided he can make time for her if she’s in the vicinity.
“I’m not here to see Sandro. I’m actually here to see you,” she says, sliding her gloves from her hands.
“Oh,” I say.
“I’d like to invite you for Christmas.”
“Oh,” I say again.
This isn’t awkward at all.
Sophia continues. “I realised this morning you’ll be on your own for the holiday season. That won’t do.”
Christmas is something I’ve tried hard not to think about. It’s always been my favourite time of year since I was little. Being the youngest, it was my job to hand out everyone’s presents. I was looking forward to handing the reins over to Callum this year.
My heart lurches.
“That’s kind, but what will Alex think? He’s stuck with me all day. I’m not sure he’ll want me invading Christmas.”
Sophia chuckles. “Leave him to me. No one should be on their own for Christmas.”
I stare at her, loving the fact she’s thinking of me, but also concerned.
“Won’t it raise questions as to why I’m not going home?”
She shrugs. “Maybe, but again, leave that to me.”
I frown, and she turns to stare at his door.
“Is he in?”
“Er, yes,” I say.
His door opens as if on command.
“Brooke,” he says, pulling up short. “Mother, what are you doing here?”
His eyes flick to mine, questioning. Had he missed a memo?
“I popped by to invite Brooke to spend Christmas with us.”
Her tone leaves no room to question or argue.
Alex turns to me. “I assumed you were heading back to the UK as you have a week off.”
“I…”
“She’s left it too late to book flights,” Sophia says, stepping between us, her tone once again leaving no room to argue.
“Fine,” Alex says with a shrug. “If that’s what Brooke wants. Although I can think of better ways to spend Christmas than with your boss.”
I’m not sure how to take his statement. Is he pissed off that his mother has ambushed him? I know I would be.
“That’s settled then. I’ll send Benjamin to collect you on Christmas morning,” she says, pulling her gloves back on. “Now I must fly. I’m meeting Clarisse for afternoon tea.”
“Have a lovely time,” I say.
She disappears as quickly as she appeared.
Alex stares after her, his forehead furrowed.
“Look, I’m sorry. If you would rather I didn’t attend, I can find an excuse. Come down with a cold or flu or something,” I say.
He turns to face me.
“Are you not going home? Going to be on your own?”
“I…”
“Answer the question, Brooke. A simple yes or no.”
“Yes.”
He shrugs. “Then the matter’s closed. You’ll spend Christmas at my mother’s, with my siblings and me. Gabbi is coming home. She’ll be happy to see you again.”
The tightness in my chest lightens a little. “If you’re sure. I really don’t want to intrude.”
“You won’t be. On Christmas evening, mother invites all the neighbours in. It becomes a large social gathering.”
My heart stops.
What? What is Sophia thinking?
She knows I can’t risk exposure. These may be people who know or knew my parents. People who may have met me. Maybe I can make an excuse and leave straight after dinner. Tell Sophia I need to call my family.
That won’t work. It’ll be the middle of the night in the UK.
“Don’t look so worried. You’ll be fine. Gabbi will protect you, drag you off to give you more of a third degree. She’s very good at making herself scarce at these events.”
As if that’s supposed to make me feel better.
Lying. It’s hard.
I hate it, especially around people I like. I’ve always been upfront, a straight talker. This constant stream of lies and half-truths turns my stomach. I like Gabbi, and in another life, I could have seen us becoming firm friends. But now…
I offer Alex a weak smile.
“Honestly, it’s not that bad,” he says, returning it with a brighter one of his own.
In your eyes, I want to say.
The fear of slipping up, of being recognised.
One wrong answer and this charade comes down like a house of cards.
I know my fears are unfounded, especially with Sophia there.
I’ve grown so used to living this lie that I’m almost starting to feel more like Brooke, and as though Harper Frazer is little more than a distant memory.
He turns and walks back into his office.
And then there’s him. I haven’t forgotten how it felt to be held in his arms… not when I’m home alone. It’s then that my fantasies take flight. What would it have felt like if he’d pulled me into his arms, his lips crashing down on mine, our tongues tangling?
I mentally shake myself as my breath quickens.
Here in the office, I try to push aside my growing attraction for Alessandro Bianchi. I keep busy, there’s no time for daydreaming. Outside the office, it’s harder. And now I’m about to be thrust into his family space. Not awkward at all.
I drop Sophia a message.
ME:
Thank you for the invite for Christmas
SOPHIA:
You’re welcome. Don’t worry, it is only family for lunch.
She fails to mention the afterparty, clearly not wanting to panic me. Or maybe she intends to send me home before it starts. I need to trust her. She’s the only person who knows my real identity. Let’s just hope it stays that way.