Just Like Heaven (18 page)

She wondered if he’d look different, if he’d think that she looked different. She’d wanted to mull over these questions in detail but Logan didn’t give her the time or the peace.

“We’re here… we’re here,” he sung as he danced in circles around his mother who was laden down with bags like a pack horse.

No one offered to help; they just watched her suffer beneath the load. Demi decided there at the airport as she hefted her bags on to a trolley that New Yorkers were rude!

Arthur was due to meet them in the lobby, which meant in just a few short steps they would be reunited and Demi suddenly felt sick. The whole trip instantly felt ludicrous and she just wanted to get on the next return flight home.

“Come on, Mommy,” Logan encouraged when he noticed her lagging behind him as he pivoted his way towards the throng of people leaving the airport.

“Logan, wait!” Demi scurried after him as best she could behind the trolley and then there he was.

Arthur Cooper, just as handsome as he had been in high school, only more rugged now and manly. Demi felt her breath catch in her chest and her heart flutter.

“Get a grip,” she scolded herself. “You’re not a stupid kid anymore.”

As the crowd thickened, Logan became less bold and retreated to the safety of his mother and Demi watched as Arthur caught sight of him, shock and awe crossing over his handsome features at the same time.

“Hi,” Demi said awkwardly as she approached, Logan was now clinging to her legs, trying to hide behind them. He didn’t like strangers.

“How was your flight?” Arthur asked, feeling stupid to offer such a biennial question but not knowing what else to say.

“Fine,” Demi said, feeling herself tense with anxiety and nerves.

“Logan, say hello to Arthur,” she instructed, glad to use her son as a distraction from the awkwardness of the conversation.

Tentatively, Logan glanced up at Arthur, before immediately delving back behind Demi’s shins.

“Hello,” he muttered nervously in to her jeans.

“He’s shy,” Demi explained as though she were addressing a shop assistant, not her son’s father.

“He’s gorgeous,” Arthur noted, watching the small child, transfixed. It was the first time he’d ever seen his son in the flesh and he was more moved than he had predicted he would be.

“Shall we go then?” Demi prompted him.

“Yes, yes, I’ll take your bags,” Arthur said, deftly taking the trolley from her and grateful for the direction.

“Do you live far?”

“No, not far really. Twenty minutes in a cab.”

“Good, because Logan needs to eat,” Demi explained. At the mention of food, Logan immediately perked up.

“Cheeseburger!” he cried.

“Cheeseburger?” Arthur queried, dropping Demi the playful look he’d given her in his youth.

“I promised him that if he behaved on the flight he could have a cheeseburger,” Demi admitted, feeling embarrassed.

“Well then, we’d better make good on that promise,” Arthur smiled as he weaved his way through the crowds with the trolley before him, Demi and his son trailing behind.

####

The cab journey was awkward because Logan, exhausted from the excitement of the flight, promptly fell asleep as soon as they sat down.

“He seems a nice kid,” Arthur commented.

“He’s the best,” Demi smiled proudly.

“You’ve done a great job with him,” Arthur continued, feeling like an idiot to be saying something when his own part had been nothing at all.

“Thanks for that,” he added lamely.

“I had help,” Demi said modestly, immediately hating herself for doing so. She shouldn’t say things to make Arthur feel better about what he did.

“Doubt you needed it.”

“Well my Dad watches him when I’m at the hospital.”

“At the hospital?” Arthur echoed, a slight strain of worry entering his voice.

“I work there, I’m training to be a nurse,” Demi explained.

“What, really? Just like you’d always dreamed!” Arthur nodded, impressed.

“Yeah,” Demi found herself blushing like a school girl and desperately hated herself for doing so.

“Didn’t Jared tell you?”

“Jared?” Arthur asked, confused at the mention of his brother.

“Yeah, he’s been in and out of hospital lately with various problems.”

“What?” Arthur asked, visibly pained by the information. “I didn’t know that,” he shook his head sadly and looked down in to his hands.

“There’s so much people don’t tell me these days.”

####

As the yellow cab wove through the hectic streets of the city Demi began to feel more and more like an alien. She wasn’t used to the hustle and bustle of urban life and it made her nervous.

“That’s where I work,” Arthur stated proudly as they drove past yet another glass giant. Demi craned her neck to see out the window, unable to make out the top of the building as it disappeared from her view.

All she saw was a cold, lifeless building make of concrete and glass. She wasn’t sure why Arthur was so proud to work there.

“What is it you do there?” she asked politely.

“I work for a steel company. My role is basically buying and selling, dealing directly with clients.” Arthur explained.

“Like a salesman?”

Arthur cringed at the label.

“It’s more complicated than that,” he said tersely.

####

At last they reached Arthur’s apartment. Logan was now fast asleep so Demi had to carry him in her arms as Arthur hauled her luggage in to the elevator.

“I’m on the twentieth floor,” he told her as he pressed the relevant button.

“That sounds awfully high,” Demi said nervously, strengthening her embrace around the sleeping Logan.

Most women who came in to the elevator with Arthur were always really impressed to find that he lived so high up and would be quick to show it. Yet again he found himself feeling unsure around Demi as she didn’t behave like anyone else.

“I’m sure your apartment will be lovely,” Demi smiled kindly.

It wasn’t. At least not to her. It was an all open plan, one giant room which contained the kitchen, the living area, the bed. Everything in one place except for the small bathroom which was thankfully sectioned off.

The apartment was sparsely furnished and what was there was made from black leather and cold steel. The bare brick of the walls showed, not covered by paint or art. It was a complete bachelor pad and therefore completely inappropriate for a small child to stay in.

“Where will Logan and I sleep?” she asked anxiously, noting that there was only one, king sized bed present which appeared to have satin sheets.

“You can have the bed and I’ll take the sofa.”

Demi didn’t like this suggestion but knew there were no other options. She couldn’t afford to go and book her and Logan in to the nearest hotel which was exactly what she wanted to do.

“I know it’s not very homely,” Arthur sighed, never before having to apologize for the décor he had chosen.

“Its fine,” Demi stated but her eyes and posture said different.

All she wanted was to go to sleep and for the day to be over. The exhaustion of travelling across the country with a four year old had finally caught up with her.

“I’m just really tired,” she sighed.

“Let me fix you and Logan something to eat,” Arthur suggested as he headed over to the kitchen area.

“What do you have?” Demi asked, carefully placing Logan on the bed before joining Arthur at his open refrigerator.

Glancing in, she saw it was stocked with champagne, strawberries, chocolate and beer. Nothing she could feed a small child with. He didn’t even have milk to make cereal.

“What do you eat?” Demi asked, baffled by the contents.

“I eat out,” Arthur shrugged, “it’s what everyone does here.”

“You don’t cook your own meals?”

“No, Demi, this is New York city. Some of the best restaurants in the world are here.” There was a harshness to his tone which Demi didn’t like.

“My, aren’t you doing well then.”

“Don’t be like that.”

“Do you even have anything to eat?”

“No, I guess not,” Arthur said lamely as he looked into the refrigerator.

“We’ll get some stuff tomorrow,” Demi sighed. “The city may have the best food in the world but it doesn’t matter to a four year old. He likes what he likes.”

Arthur slammed the door the refrigerator shut and went to sit on the couch, suddenly regretting buying an open plan apartment.

“I’ve never looked after a kid before, I don’t know what to do!” he moaned, careful not to raise his voice as Logan was still sleeping soundly.

“Don’t worry about it,” Demi said, eager to sleep and leave the city and Arthur as soon as possible. She should have known they wouldn’t get on. What did she expect, that he’d welcome her with open arms and be a changed man? She’d been a fool to come there.

####

The following day both Demi and Arthur awoke feeling fresh and clutching to the promise that a new day would bring about a new start.

Once Logan was up and dressed, they all headed out in the city to get some breakfast. The sidewalks were amazingly busy. Demi clutched on to Logan as tight as she could, scared that if she lost her grip he’d be lost forever to the sea of people around them.

Arthur normally strode along without a care in the world. He would have his music on and be checking out any hot girls who passed by.

Today was different, he was focused solely on Demi and Logan and ensuring them safe passage to the small café a few blocks away. He surprised himself with just how protective he felt towards them.

“It’s so busy,” Demi exclaimed. “Is it always like this?”

“Yep, every day,” Arthur answered from just behind her.

They managed to reach the café unscathed and picked a table by the window as Logan was fascinated by all the foot traffic. He’d never seen so many people before and loved it.

Demi settled in to her chair suddenly feeling extremely awkward. The last time she’d sat down in a café with Arthur, he had left her. It was hard to push those memories aside and concentrate on the current moment.

“What does he like?” Arthur asked, glancing down at the menu and then at Logan who was standing on his chair, hands pressed to the window.

“Logan, sit down,” Demi ordered and reluctantly the little boy did as his mother asked.

“Right now he’s into pancakes.”

“Pancakes!” Logan cried gleefully on cue.

“See.”

“Well, pancakes are good. I’ll join you.” Arthur smiled.

“Make that three,” Demi said, placing her menu down.