Both men got to their feet, and Wesley headed outside, presumably to collect his bag from his car. Meanwhile, Michael checked the spare room was livable. He’d stored his old rowing machine and a few sets of dumbbells in there, but they ought not to be in the way. At a sound in the doorway, he glanced up.
“Nice place you’ve got,” Wesley remarked.
Michael hadn’t given him a tour—it hadn’t even crossed his mind to do so, and he barely resisted the urge to make a smart-ass comment. His home was nothing compared to the Briggston’s palatial estate on Waiheke Island, or Wesley’s own Auckland residence.
“It meets my needs.”
He shuffled past Wesley and went to his own bedroom to change out of the gym clothes he’d had to put back on when they left Bex’s apartment. When he met Wesley in the living area a few minutes later, he suggested they walk to the beach and back.
“Sounds like a plan.” Wesley donned a jacket over his blazer, and Michael locked the house behind them. “So, tell me about the major players in Bex’s life.”
Michael rubbed a hand over his jaw, which was scratchy because he’d yet to shave. “I’m not going to give you all the details behind her back. That wouldn’t be fair of me. The most important thing you need to know about Bex is that Izzy is her entire life.” They didn’t look at each other as they walked, both of them uncomfortable with the topic of conversation. “That little girl is the center of her universe—and by the way, she’s also the cutest thing you’ll ever see.”
“Sounds like you’re smitten.”
He wouldn’t deny that. “She’s adorable, and Bex has done a hell of a job raising her. She’s confident and outgoing.”
Wesley sighed so regretfully that Michael couldn’t help glancing over at him. “Do you think she’ll want to meet me?” he asked. “Has Bex filled her head with stories about what an ass I am?”
“Of course not. Bex isn’t like that,” Michael snapped. He may feel guilty about his newfound relationship because his feelings for her began when she and Wesley were together, but he wouldn’t tolerate anyone speaking poorly of her. “As far as I can tell, they don’t talk about you. I’ve never heard Izzy mention her father, and Bex doesn’t bring you up.”
Wesley barked a bitter laugh. “I bet she doesn’t. Is there anything else you’re comfortable telling me?”
He thought about it, not wanting to betray any confidences. “Her parents are very involved.” They turned a corner, and the beach came into sight at the end of the road. Before they arrived and began the journey home, he wanted to instill respect for Bex into Wesley. “She works several jobs to cover the bills but always has time for her daughter.”
Wesley groaned. “I suppose I have a lot of ground to make up.”
“Only six years’ worth.” Michael wouldn’t do anything to soften the blow. His brother should take this seriously. “One other thing. This is a tight-knit town, and everyone keeps an eye out for her. Some of the older generation are quite protective.”
Wesley grunted. “As they should be.”
They reached the sand and stood, looking out over the waves for a few moments, then turned to head back to the house. They walked in companionable silence, and when they reached the path from the road to Michael’s porch, Wesley stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “Look, about you dating Bex… you know I’d like the opportunity to see where things go with her since there’s a child in the picture now, but I don’t want you to think this is like what I had with Penelope. I didn’t know what I was getting into with her, whereas with Bex, I know her well. I’m not even sure we would have separated if not for the whole abortion thing.”
Michael’s jaw worked, and he tried not to punch his brother. Was he actually trying to imply that it would be okay if he stole Bex from Michael because he’d dated her before and was sure they could make it work, whereas when he’d swooped Penelope out of Michael’s arms and into his own, he hadn’t realized they wouldn’t be a good fit? He supposed in his brother’s twisted worldview, where everything went his way, it made a certain kind of sense, but Michael felt sick to his stomach. When Wesley hooked up with Penelope, he’d taken it on the chin, figuring it was what he deserved for having a crush on Bex while she was effectively his sister-in-law, and for what he’d nearly done that day he’d been ready to confess his feelings and ask her to choose between them. But he couldn’t sit back and let his brother take her from him, could he?
“I suppose what happens is up to Bex,” he said, and prayed to God she felt the same way about him as he did about her.
It was amazingthe clarity a shitty night of sleep could bring.
Bex now realized she couldn’t handle everything on her own. Thankfully, she knew she didn’t have to. She called Kat and her parents and organized a late breakfast at her parents’ home. When she arrived, Kat had beaten her there and was already inside and feasting on Lita’s delicious omelet.
“Morning all,” Bex called, sliding into a seat at the table and accepting the coffee Lita offered. “Thanks, Mum.”
“What’s this about, darling?” Lita asked, lowering herself into the seat opposite.
Bex hauled in a lungful of air and slowly released it. “You know how Michael Briggston is in town and has found out about Izzy?”
Her father leaned forward, his hands clasped in front of him on the table. “Did you change your mind about me talking to him?”
At this, a strangled laugh burst from her. Trust him to make her smile even at a time like this. “No, Daddy. I came to tell you that Wes found out, and now he’s in the bay.”
Their eyes widened, and Kat’s breath caught. “Has he seen Izzy?” she asked.
“No, but he wants to meet her.”
“Well, he can go shove it where the sun don’t shine,” Paul snapped. “I hope you told him as much.”
Warmth filled her. Whatever went on in life, she could always trust her father to be on her side. Something that niggled at her as well as bringing her comfort, because surely Izzy should have the chance to build that same relationship with Wesley. “Not exactly.”