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Chapter One

I SHOULD BE HAPPIER, Alex thought as he picked up hisof coffee and carried it out onto the terrace of his penthouse aparthtly when the crisp air hit his face Not that it would be cold for long, the sun already peeping over the horizon Winter in Sydney was a picnic colad to be back home But not all that happy, for some reason

Alex surveyed the panora himself that a man would have to be a fool not to be happy when he’d finally achieved everything he’d ever vowed to achieve

At thirty-four, Alex was no fool He was, in fact, a very successful businessman

A Rhodes scholar, Alex had first becooing into partnership with his two best friends from Oxford in a dilapidated old wine bar, which probably should have been de concern As it turned out, one wine bar had eventually become two, then three, then ten, till finally they’d formed a franchise

Sergio’s idea, that

Alex sio always brought a smile to his face Jeremy, too Yet those tere as different as chalk and cheese Sergio was inclined to take life way too seriously at times, whereas Jereh soht describe hienerous and loyal, though ay too ood And he’d have even moremade them all billionaires

Alex’s smile faded somewhat as he realised that the sale of their franchise had now severed the main connection between the three men Whilst he didn’t doubt they would always reathered together in London on a regular basis Sergio had now returned to Milan to take up the reins of his fa business, whilst he hiland

Still, that was life, Alex supposed Nothing stayed the salance at his watch showing that it was alht

He was going to be late for work, which was a rarity

Harry would be wondering where he was Alex hoped she wasn’t upset over the way he’d spoken to her yesterday Not that she’d see, she ithout doubt the best, most sensible PA he’d ever had

Gulping down the rest of his coffee, he hurried back inside, stashed hisin the dishwasher, snatched up his phone and keys, then headed for the lift Just as the lift doors opened, his phone rang A wry smile lit up Alex’s face when he saw that it was Jeremy