The Deal (Trading Hearts #3) Read Free Page A

her own was a long ways off.
    Now the idea had occurred to her, it stoked a hitherto unknown longing.
    "Shouldn't you be at school now?" Georgio asked whilst looking at his watch.
    "Yes, but Mum's late. Dad wanted to come to my science fair last night and then Mum said I could stay over with him."
    "How did the science fair go?"
    "Great. Dad liked the robot our team made."
    "Awesome. Well done."
    "Mum's supposed to be here already."
    Georgio had a disapproving look on his face. Naomi couldn't help being intrigued, because it's someone else, someone outside of Lucas was disapproving about his ex-wife's antics.
    "Hello."
    Naomi started when she realized the little boy was addressing her.
    "Hello, Toby," she replied and nodded at him. His eyes were dark. Not as bright as his father's but she sensed the same directness.
    "My mum's got hair like yours."
    Naomi didn’t need a reminder of that little fact, but she smiled at him.
    The receptionist entered the room, darted across to Toby, hand outreached. "Sorry, I was supposed to be watching him but he hared off. Come on, Toby, let's go get donuts. Your Mother will be here soon, I'm sure." She and Georgio exchanged glances.
    Naomi watched as Toby was led away, then stood up and began packing away her samples.
    "I'll be in touch soon, either way." Georgio put out his hand.
    Naomi shook his hand and nodded. "It's been wonderful meeting you, Georgio."
    Georgio grinned.
    She liked him, she decided. She could only hope her designs stood the test.
    As she took her leave, Toby's comment about his Dad echoed in her thoughts.
    Lucas was here, in a meeting. The very thought if it made her heart tick a little faster. She craned her neck as she walked down the corridor that led back to the reception area. Glass walls meant it was easy to spot who was in which meeting room without knocking on doors. Several meetings were in progress but she didn’t spy him.
    Ahead the corridor branched. To the left was her way out. She was about to head that way when she caught sight of him. A large room ahead was filled with personnel. Lucas stood by a projected spreadsheet, pointing out figures, leading the meeting.
    Naomi froze.
    He glanced at his audience. She caught sight of that familiar hewn face, so starkly handsome. Light-headed with the secret thrill of seeing him, she clutched her portfolio case tighter. He was talking animatedly but she couldn’t hear what was being said. It felt surreal, watching him.
    Am I really involved with that gorgeous man?
    Glued to the spot, she could only stare.
    Then he turned fully to his audience, and clocked her.
    Naomi turned on her heel, hurrying toward the reception, and beyond toward the elevator. It was a stolen glance, and yet it made her spirits soar.
    Inside the elevator, she turned away from the other occupants and smiled at herself in the mirrored walls. It felt naughty, having seen him that way. He'd obviously picked a meeting room out of the way, and still she'd managed to spy him for a moment.
    Her smile vanished when the elevator reached the ground floor and the doors opened. Amongst half a dozen people waiting to enter, was Clara, Lucas's ex.
    Of course, she was here for Toby. Naomi filed out with the other occupants, intending to pass Clara by without comment.
    "If it isn't my husband's tart."
    Naomi bristled. "Ah, the ex wife," she countered. "Fancy seeing you here."
    Clara flounced past her and into the elevator.
    Naomi tried not to let her joy at seeing Lucas be crushed by Clara.  She waved her fingertips at Clara and smiled.
    Clara rammed her hand on the elevator control panel.
    The doors locked open. The other occupants in the lift looked at one another.
    "I'm here to collect my son," she announced.
    "He's a lovely boy," Naomi replied, unable to resist. "Takes after his Dad, obviously."
    Clara glared at her, annoyance pouring out of her eyes. "I'm Lucas's wife," she declared, again. "I'm the mother of his child. Just you remember that."
    Not only