Hero(30)

Amused, I tsked. “There must be a reason for her rejection.”

“She says I’m a ne’er-do-well, and until I settle down and act like a real man she wants nothing to do with me.”

“That’s not fair. I’d say Mr. Carraway is as much of a ne’er-do-well as you.”

“Thank you!” He nodded in agreement. “That is my argument exactly.” He leaned closer. “Maybe you could put in a good word since she’s taken such a shine to you.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Henry smiled and stood up. “Have I told you recently how happy I am that Caine hired you?”

“No, but it would be helpful if you tell him that.” I pressed the call button to Caine’s office.

“What?” he grumped on the loudspeaker, and Henry grinned at my answering grimace.

“Mr. Lexington is here to see you.”

“Send him in.”

I gestured to the door. “His Majesty awaits.”

He nodded. “Thank you, beautiful.”

The heavy door shut behind him and yet I heard Henry ask, “Someone in a mood?”

The speakerphone. Caine had left it on. I opened my mouth to tell him when he returned with “I don’t remember the last time I was in a good mood. Oh, right … the pre-Alexa days.”

My mouth shut, my skin hot and prickling with hurt, embarrassment, and annoyance. It was one thing for him to be grouchy and insulting to my face, but to talk about me with other people. Not nice.

“Oh, well, you must be an idiot, then,” Henry responded cheerily. “I find her delightful. In fact, I find Alexa so delightful I’m asking her to the Andersons’ Anniversary Ball on Saturday.”

I clamped a hand over my mouth to smother my gasp.

Caine had had me arrange appointments so he could get a new tux for the Andersons’ ball. Richard Anderson was a well-known media magnate. He and his wife, Cerise, were leaders of Boston society. Cerise was on every board of directors for charities and the arts in the city. It was their fortieth wedding anniversary on Saturday and they were throwing a party fit for royalty. Everyone who was anyone in Boston had been invited.

Henry wanted to take me as his date?

“Don’t even think about it,” Caine bit out.

“Is it because she’s a PA? Do you think she’s beneath us? Because I have to say, considering your humble background, that’s pretty shitty of you.”

It was pretty shitty of him.

You tell him, Henry!

“It’s not that.” Caine’s voice sounded tight, strained. “It’s because you can’t keep your dick in your pants. I won’t have you and that wandering dick anywhere near Lexie.”

I sank back in my chair.

Lexie?

Lexie?

What the hell?

I heard Henry harrumph. “You sound jealous …”

Was he jealous? My belly flipped at that thought.

“I’m not jealous.” Caine sounded like he was sneering at the thought. “Despite her smart mouth she’s the best PA I’ve ever had. I won’t have her chased off because you like her legs.”

Best PA?

Best PA?

“Not just her legs. I’m quite taken with the whole package. She’s gorgeous, she’s funny, she’s smart. I won’t be bored out of my mind all night. Anyway, you’re taking Marina Lansbury. I’m not going as some juvenile third wheel.”

Marina Lansbury?

My belly flipped again, this time the sensation unpleasant.

“Henry, you’re a Lexington. You can ask any woman in Boston to be your date and she’ll say yes. You’re not asking Lexie on an evening out with us. It’s crossing the line.”

Like, say … thinking of me as “Lexie” behind my back? What was that all about?

“Oh, get the stick out of your ass, Caine.”

I was really starting to like Henry more and more.

“Shit, Henry, surely you can do better than Lexie.”

That burned.

I blinked back the sting of tears and clicked the speaker off. That was what I got for eavesdropping.

The burn in my chest wouldn’t dissipate and I had to really struggle to hold back the urge to cry. I couldn’t believe how much it hurt.

I was such an idiot. Caine was never going to see me as anything more than Alistair Holland’s daughter.

The door to the office opened and Henry and Caine stepped out. I avoided Caine’s eyes but gave Henry what I hoped wasn’t a wobbly smile.