London Calling (13 page)

“Excellent. I’ll grab a quick shower and toss a few things
in my bag then we can go have a lovely evening together.” He looked into her
eyes until she held his gaze. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

His kiss was soft and sweet, leaving her wanting more, but
he pulled away and turned on his heel. “Half an hour, tops, and we can hit the
restaurant.”

“Okay.” Was it? Was everything okay? She hoped so.

The three days without Tim around sent Jenna a little
off-kilter. He called every night but he was worn out and the conversations
were brief and left her unsettled.

She tried to act as if nothing was bothering her Tim
noticed.

“You sound funny. Are you all right?” he asked. She could
hear the concern in his voice and didn’t want to make a big deal about nothing.

“I’m fine. Just busy. I have to head over to two of the
shops on Tuesday. I got the last pieces ready and I want to bring them over and
help set them up for the Friday exhibition.”

“But you’re still going to Gavin’s right?”

“Of course.”
Not that you’re bothering to.

“I’ll do my best to be there. I promise.”

Tim had never broken a promise so she comforted herself with
that word. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder if things were changing. Maybe
he wanted to spend more time with the band and less time with Jenna and Gavin
and the restaurant—-all the domestic things in his life. Her stomach
twisted with nerves.

“See you tomorrow night,” she said, wishing he was already
there.

“Love you.” He hung up before she’d even echoed the words
back to him.

Feeling even less settled than before their chat, she dialed
Nat. There was no answer at the café so she called her cell. Nat picked up
quickly, but sounded rushed. “Is this a bad time?”

“Yeah, kinda, I’m putting my clothes back on after getting
felt up by a pissed off TSA worker.” She said the last words extra loud.

Jenna could hear flights being announced in the background.

“Where are you going?”

“Well you wouldn’t come to the city and we have time off so
Bruce insisted we take a break. Our plane’s about to board so I really need to
run right now.”

“Okay, sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Everything okay?”

“Yes. Fine. I’m absolutely fine. Don’t worry about me. Have
a great getaway. Call me as soon as you get back.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll call sooner than that.”

Jenna hung up and knew there was only one person she could
express her concerns to and be truly understood. It was eleven p.m. and Gavin
was usually at the restaurant until midnight. She though about calling first,
then decided that she’d just stop by. Make it look more casual. She threw on
black jeans, boots and an oversized gray sweater—one she’d stolen from
Tim ages ago—and headed out the door.

Only the bar was open because the grand re-opening of the
dining room hadn’t happened yet. She took a seat on one of the low-backed
leather stools and ordered a mojito.

“Is Gavin around?”

“Here I am, love.” She felt a hand on her shoulder and
turned just in time for Gavin to plant a kiss on her cheek.

She smiled. “Hey. Is this a bad time?”

“It’s never a bad time for a mojito.”

“I meant are you busy? I can just hang out at the bar if
you’ve got stuff to do.”

“I’m never too busy for you.” He motioned to the bartender
who set down Jenna’s drink and a tall glass of something for Gavin. “It’ so
good to see you. Where’s that ne’er do good boyfriend of yours?”

“He’s up in Liverpool doing band things.”

“Ah, band things. Wouldn’t want to interfere with that, now
would we?”

“You know he may miss your opening.”

“That prat better not. It was his idea to make a big thing
of it all.”

“He may.”

“Well if he misses an evening with you, eating wonderful
food and dancing, then he’s a bigger fool than I thought.” Gavin sounded
suitably pissed off and it made Jenna feel better and worse at the same time.
She wanted her feelings validated but she didn’t want to upset Gavin. What she
wanted most was for Tim to actually make it tomorrow night.

“He’s just busy.”

“You’re defending him.”

Jenna groaned and put her head down on the smooth wood of
the bar. “I know.”

Gavin pet her hair. ”Don’t fret, love. You adore him. We all
know this. And don’t kid yourself. He’s totally gone for you as well. Never
seen him anything like this with anyone else.”

“Really?”

“Honey, tell me you’re not really worried about this. He
loves you. Of this I’m absolutely certain.”

Jenna managed another smile. “Thanks. And I’m still coming
to your big night, even if I’ll be by myself.”

“You won’t be alone. You’ll be with Phillip. He always feels
abandoned at these things because I have to be in the kitchen so much. He’ll be
thrilled to have you as his date for the evening.”

“Perfect. We’ll be each other’s pity dates.”

Gavin’s eyes twinkled at her as he sipped his drink. “He’ll
be delighted when I tell him. Though I don’t think I’ll use the term pity
date.”

“Fair enough.”

“Something tells me we’ll all manage to have a wonderful
night.”

Jenna felt much better after talking to Gavin. For the first
night since Tim had been away, she fell right to sleep. She woke refreshed and
ready to tackle her meetings with the shop owners.

By the time she wrapped up at the second gallery it was late
and she barely made it home in time to change. She’d been hoping to catch Tim
before he left for his gig, but he’d already come and gone.

A note greeted her on the kitchen table. “See you later.
Love you.”

Seeing his words on paper made her miss him, but every good
thing Gavin had said was still present in her mind. She put on her new purple
dress, the one Tim liked because it had a low shawl back and a slim fitted
skirt. Jenna liked the silkiness of the fabric, the way it felt cool and slick
against her skin as she moved.

She put on her highest strappy sandals and a row of her
favorite bracelets, so many that she jingled when she walked.

The short walk to the restaurant felt longer in heels, but
the night air calmed her. Cool and refreshing. It kept her from obsessing about
Tim. She breathed in deeply telling herself he would keep his word and make it
tonight at some point. As she neared the restaurant she wondered why there were
so few cars outside. The sign on the front window said, “Closed for private
party.”

She opened the heavy wooden door and peered inside.

“Jenna!” Phillip pulled her into a hug and kissed her
cheeks. “So glad you’re here. You look perfectly lovely.”

He held her at arm’s length and looked her up and down then
gave her a twirl. “You’re looking pretty dashing yourself.”
Best pity date
ever.

Phillip kept hold of her hands. “Seems there‘s been a bit of
a mix up regarding the start time. The reminder email said nine p.m. instead of
seven, so it seems guests will be a bit late.”

“I was wondering why it was so empty. I’ve been out all day
and didn’t go through my email. Is Gavin freaking out?”

“He’s fine. He’s got plenty to keep him busy. Why don’t we
sit and have a drink?”

He ushered her into a seat facing away from the band, which
was just as well. She didn’t really want to be reminded of musicians tonight.
Not unless Tim arrived.
Until. He said he’d be here.
She wanted a drink
and some of Gavin’s magical food to lighten her mood. Later she and Tim could
have a serious talk about priorities.

Phillip returned with a tall thin glass for her, with a deep
red drink. “It’s a new concoction. Champagne, strawberry and watermelon, I
think.”

She took a sip. “And a hint of mint. Delicious.”

She waved at the bartender with a thumbs-up and he grinned
and winked. Playing with her straw made it a little easier not to stare at the
door to see if Tim was here yet. She heard it open and glanced anyway. No Tim.
Just a flustered bus boy.

As she drank, she started to relax, but instead of calm she
just felt sad. She missed Tim. She wanted him there by her side. She wanted…the
piano started playing, a song she didn’t recognize, yet it felt familiar. Then
a man started singing. Not just any man. A voice she’d know anywhere. Tim.

She saw the small grin on Phillip’s face as she turned
toward the sound.

Tim sat behind the piano, stroking the ivory keys as sweet,
soulful music reverberated from them. She craned her neck for a better view.
Head down, hair dipping down in front of his closed eyes, voice so beautiful
she could scarcely pay attention to the words.

You gave me hope

Changed my world

Gave me love

Tears prickled behind her eyes. Was he singing about her?
Her heart swelled as she listened.

Stay with me forever

Let our love grow

Will you share my life

Will you be my wife…

The guitar and bass kept playing, a soft strain of the
melody, but Tim stopped. He stood and walked to Jenna’s table, got down on one
knee—
oh my God
—and repeated the last strains of the song
“Will you share my life? Will you be my wife?”

He pulled a ring box from his pocket, popped it open and
placed it on her shaking leg. Jenna’s eyes blurred as the first tears spilled
down her cheeks. All she could do was stare at him.

Tim had always wondered why men got down on one knee to
propose. Now he knew. Had he been upright, he was certain stress would have felled
him like a tree. On his knee he could keep the balance, apart from some minor
shaking. Had he said it right? Had he said enough? Were those happy tears?
Instinct told him to keep talking but the rest of him said to shut up and give
her time.

Instinct won out. ”Jenna, for months now we’ve been living
together and I’ve been so blissfully happy. Happier than I ever thought I could
be and I realized, I want this, you and me together. Forever. I want to wake up
to you every morning, and steal your shampoo, and eat takeaway on the floor
snuggled on pillows, and watch movies all night then go to bed and wake up next
to you and start all over again.” He paused and ran a hand through his hair.
“Is that…I mean…do you want that too?’

Tears continued to stream down her face and for a panicked
moment Tim thought she was going to say no. His insides threatened to revolt
but before they had a chance, she spoke. So softly it took all his
concentration to hear her. “Is this real?”

Tim managed a nod. “Quite. Will you marry me?”

She nodded rapidly, sending droplets of tears scattering
everywhere.

“Really? So that’s a yes then?”

“That’s an oh hell yes.”

Even better. He took the ring from its velvet nest and slid
it onto her finger then leaned in and kissed her, soft then harder, then
twirling his tongue around hers and pulling her close, fingers sinking deep
into her hair.

His heart pounded wildly but he forced himself to pull away.
“I’m sorry I’ve been so weird the past week. I have a surprise for you though.”

“A surprise? You mean this wasn’t the surprise?” Her eyes
went wide.

“It’s only part. First off I was in Liverpool to see Mum, to
get my grandmother’s ring. She’s delighted I’m finally giving it to you, by the
way. The rest of your surprise is in the kitchen. He stood and helped her to
her feet then yelled. “Guys, you can come out now.”

Jenna turned and Tim wrapped his arm around her from behind.
First came Phillip—she hadn’t even realized he’d left the table—and
Gavin, then Tim’s sisters and lovely little Lucy who ran straight in for hugs
from both Jenna and Tim. Then the door swung open again and out came Natalie
and her husband, followed by Jenna’s brother, Ethan.

Jenna hugged them all, a mix of shock, joy and tears on her
lovely face. She turned to Tim. “These were all the secret calls you were
making?”

He nodded. “Good surprise?”

“The best. God, I love you.”

“Good. I love you too. And you’ve just agreed to marry me so
there’ll be no getting rid of me now.”

“Sounds perfect.”

Gavin came up between them and gave them each a smooch on
the cheek. “Perfect indeed. Almost as perfect as my food. Sit down everyone.
This is a private celebration but you still get to taste my new menu. Let’s
eat, drink and all raise our glasses to Tim and Jenna.”

Everyone lifted their arms and clinking sounded all around,
but Tim couldn’t focus on anything other than Jenna. Her smile, her laughter,
the glow of her cheeks—he could freeze this moment and live off the
happiness for a lifetime. Maybe two.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked, catching him
staring.

“That I’m the luckiest man in the world.”

“And I’m the luckiest woman.”

He tugged her into his arms, swaying with her as the band
continued to play. “I don’t mind telling you I was a bit nervous about
tonight.”

“Really?” She stroked the base of his neck, her warm fingers
feathering through his hair.

“The only time I’ve ever been more nervous was that night in
the hallway outside your apartment.”

“You were worried then?”

“I could barely keep hold of the phone when I dialed your
number. I was terrified you wouldn’t pick up.”

A slow smile spread across Jenna’s beautiful lips as she
looked up at him, eyes sparkling with love. “How could I resist? It was London
calling.”

THE END

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London Calling
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