Take a Chance on Me (32 page)

‘Not exactly,' he replied. ‘Sadie, everything's different. So much has changed so quickly.'

Sadie looked up as he went on.

‘I'm not sure where this is going, but—'

‘But what?'

Out of his shorts pocket, he produced a folded up envelope. He unfolded it, and passed it to Sadie.

On the front, in handwritten fountain pen, it said
Ms Sadie Samantha Businesswoman, PhD.

‘See,' he said, like a little boy all pleased with himself. ‘It says
Ms
.'

‘You know technically, it's Doctor.'

He laughed, and indicated for her to open it. Her hand was shaking as she gently pulled on the edge of the envelope and teased out the letter inside it. Her eyes filled with tears as she read the contents out loud.

Dear Sadie, I do hereby revoke and retract my ubiquitous monologue and shall henceforth consign it to the history books. I am not, according to fate and destiny, supposed to remain a single man till my dying days, after all.

She laughed, a single tear spilling down her cheek as she looked up at him.

‘It's lovely,' she said. He took a deep breath, then went to kiss her but she stopped him. ‘But I can't accept it,' she added.

His face was a picture, looking unsure as to whether she was joking. He soon got his answer.

‘After all, it's not in triplicate!' she said.

‘Oh, Sadie.' He laughed, and took her in his arms and kissed her, long and deep. They fell back onto the bed and just held each other.
Like when you've known each other forever, like everything else has just been a rehearsal …

‘I
am
willing to give it a go – just try me,' she said. He kissed her again, and then looked serious.

And suddenly he was on his feet, a spring in his step, leading Sadie by the hand all the way out of the hotel to a waiting heli-taxi, making her promise to be silent the whole way and not ask questions. Soon after, they were in the air, and still Sadie didn't know what would happen next.

Far below them, a black Mercedes sat in the car park, the window wound down. The occupant's head appeared, and a satisfied smile crept over the face at the window, looking gleefully up at the sky. The face was old, wise, and from the jubilant look, was allowing himself the indulgence of being just a little bit smug. The two people in the helicopter, taking off to one of the most romantic spots in Hawaii, had been brought together by fate and destiny, sure. Plus an intimate knowledge of the confirmed playboy billionaire, bachelor, and dear friend, who desperately needed a change. Add a little bit of behind-the-scenes mischief and a sprinkling of luck, and then helped along with whatever influence he could muster, all leading to this moment. Or something like this moment.

He knew Mac needed someone like Sadie in his life.
And someone like BJ – and Alexis – out of it
.

For months now, the person in the car had been quietly supporting a complete change of direction for Mac – and after his first meeting with Sadie – hoping that she would be part of it, and that nothing would get in the way. And now with the helicopter disappearing from view, the implications of what was taking place meant it was all about to pay off and the man in the Mercedes smiled triumphantly.

His final
coup de grâce
was approaching Philip Tremain on the quiet, and sowing the seeds for a momentous about-turn and a new era. A solid foundation for an arch-rival to work alongside Mac from then on. It removed the last possible driving-force, keeping Mac's nose to the grindstone. It was tricky, and very hard work, but it had been worth it.

Hell, even the fountain pen had been his
.

Yes, as the helicopter became a tiny dot and disappeared out of sight, Simon Leadbetter closed the window and instructed the driver – Kaha'i – to take him to the nearest bar for a little personal celebration. Today had been a good day. A very good day indeed. And it would be the first of many more to come.

As they flew over Hawaii's dramatic landscape, Sadie watched in wonder and awe. From the desert scenery near the volcanoes, craters so vast it seemed like they could be on the moon, and beaches of black volcanic sand … to the lush tropical rainforest, full of vibrant colours and unspoilt greenery, with the occasional clearing that revealed amazing waterfalls and colourful birds, Sadie knew she would be in love with Hawaii forever.

Eventually they began their descent, and Sadie followed Mac's pointing finger towards a small helipad next to a sprawling white villa. They landed, he took her hand, and they sprinted towards the entrance.

When Sadie finally got her breath back, they were several hundred yards away from the villa, approaching a small enclosed veranda which lay right next to a beautiful blue pool. Inside the veranda were fluffy towels, and a side room with a shower and relaxation area, sauna, steam room and outdoor hot tub.

‘Whose is this place?' she asked.

‘It's a holiday rental.'

‘Some holiday!' Sadie said.
God how I need one of those.

‘Come with me, Sadie,' said Mac, and he led her into the changing area, where several choices of brand new bikini awaited her, plus a tankini ‘just in case', he explained.

‘For a single guy you seem very clued up as to what a woman needs,' Sadie told him.

‘You ain't seen nothing yet,' he said, taking her in his arms and – finally alone – beginning the most intense kiss yet.

‘Now, change, and come with me – there's a waterfall.'

‘Oh, but I thought you weren't supposed to swim in them in Hawaii, there's all sorts of nasties like lepto—'

‘Excuse me, Doctor Scientist – I think you'll find it's a
man-made
pool, with fresh filtered water. Trust me! Come on,' he said with the biggest playful smile she'd seen. He looked somehow … lighter, and definitely happier. And if
he
was happy,
she
was happy. Soon they were out in the water. It wasn't too cold, and after a few seconds, they started swimming towards the beautiful little waterfall, surrounded by all kinds of brightly coloured foliage and flowers. The water droplets from the spray created a halo rainbow, which arced above them. Sadie stopped and gazed in awe.

‘Shall we see if we can find the pot of gold at the end of it?' he asked her.

‘Or see if there's a little cavern behind it!' she said, her eyes glinting with excitement and wonder.

‘There is,' said Mac.

‘How do you know?'

‘Saw the picture in the brochure,' he replied, and she laughed as he pulled her towards the falling water, and they ducked underneath it and through the shallow depths to the man-made alcove behind.

‘Mac, I …'

‘Sadie, I …' they both began to speak at once.

‘You first,' he said.

‘Mac, if I forget to tell you later, I had a really nice time today.'

‘And Sadie, I have to tell you – you had me at hello.'

They both giggled playfully at the film references, but the meaning was sincere. Mac cleared his throat and pulled her closer into his arms. He gently pushed away the hair over her eyes and she caught his gaze – an intense, deep gaze.
I look in his eyes and see myself,
she thought, as they shone a spotlight into her soul.

‘Sadie, I love you,' Mac said, and she inhaled sharply.

‘Oh, Mac, I love you too,' she replied, as she began covering his face and neck and forehead with kisses, and he returned the compliment then kissed down her neck, across her breasts and kept going, as her hands buried themselves in his hair. And she realised once and for all the truest meaning of ‘making love'.

A little later, they were reclining on the veranda, having sampled each of the spa rooms and taken a little nap and a spot of lunch – tropical fruit salad was all that remained – and Sadie languorously held up the grapes to Mac's lips, while he finished an amazingly skilful shoulder rub behind her.

‘I'm so glad you walked onto my gangplank, Miss Sadie Samantha Businesswoman.'

‘I'm so glad we got ourselves a deal, Mr Michael Anderson. And it's Ms,' she said.

‘Well, we'll have to see about that, won't we?' he replied.

And as they fell into each-others' arms, Sadie knew at last that for the final time everything was about to change, this time for good.

Six months later

Sadie couldn't remember a time when she'd been more happy. Gazing out on the hazy Mediterranean sea from the bridge of the newly equipped
Nomad
superyacht, she smiled at her two teenage daughters as they stood on the rear deck, pushing each other for pole position in the queue for the next jet ski. And at Captain Wiltshire, who was supervising procedures, under the watchful eye of his new assistant, whom he respectfully called ‘Mrs Parker, ma'am'. Sadie's mum. Even sister Helen's luck was on the turn and she and Sadie had patched up their differences. In fact, Helen was due to join them soon – with her own tale of adventure. Life couldn't be better. Or could it?

‘Fancy a pina colada, darling?' said Mac, sidling up to Sadie and kissing her bare shoulders. ‘God you look sexy in this thing.'

Sadie giggled. ‘The girls might see,' she said, leaning into him and pushing him away playfully. ‘Not that their feet have touched the ground since you won them over with that party. Has Jim forgiven you yet for inviting forty teenage girls onto his precious superyacht?' Her sarong blew gently in the wind and her golden tan gave away how long she'd been sailing round the coast. She was overjoyed that after the initial scepticism, both daughters had taken to Mac big time.

‘No, but if I'm happy, he's happy too.'

‘Same as Simon – you've got some good men around you, haven't you?'

‘And so have you now. Mi Cap'n', su Cap'n – mi financial advisor, su financial—'

‘Ha-ha! I get the point. Your jokes are still crap. Good job you're handsome, you'd never be a comic.'

Mac laughed and kissed her lips briefly. ‘What about a bartender – fancy that pina colada?'

‘Em, no. I'll have a virgin colada though, thanks, Mac.'

‘Well, funnily enough I took the liberty of bringing you one,' he said, beckoning a steward who arrived with a tray. Mac passed Sadie a cocktail with a garish umbrella and bright red cherry on top. She spied the tray.

‘And what else?'

‘Okay, you know me too well – an orange juice, a water and a cappuccino,' he said.

She laughed and kissed him warmly, loving the man he was becoming since they got together six months ago. They'd barely been out of each other's company since.

‘Another congratulations card. From Hawaii this time,' he said, handing her a couple of elaborately decorated greetings cards.

‘How's Bill doing?'

‘He's well. Hasn't been drinking any of his errant son's concoctions for months now, so he's regained full health.'

‘Who would have thought it – his own son,' said Sadie. ‘I'm glad they made Peter repay what was left of the money, but I can't believe Bill's not disowned him.'

‘Well, I guess putting him in charge of the charity division under the watchful eye of Kaha'i amounts to the same thing,' Mac said, and she smiled.

‘He's a good man is Bill, even if his son managed to fool him he's still being magnanimous. A wise man, and a lovely man,' Sadie said.

‘He's also a very fair man,' Mac added. ‘Bill's repaid Tremain the balance. And by all accounts, he has well and truly cut Peter down to size.' Mac was reading the brightly coloured card. ‘He's made him drive a Mini.'

Sadie laughed. ‘Sounds about right!'

‘Hey, have you seen this? Simon sent it through.' Mac showed Sadie a front page of the latest
New Scientist
magazine.

“
Wetter water – superfast hydration?
”
read the headline.

‘Wetter water? Who on earth writes this stuff?' Sadie chimed. ‘You can't have wetter water. Superior cell membrane penetration maybe but—'

‘Sadie, you made the front cover, does it matter?' Mac smiled as he pushed a lock of hair out of her face.

She beamed and flicked open the magazine. ‘I'll get straight on to it as soon as we get back from honeymoon. I'm sure Christine at the lab will be able to come up with something in layman's terms that will make it a bit more accurate than that.'

‘And a bit more ethical?' Mac teased.

‘Okay, Mr Cynical. I get the message – no more geeky stuff for now.'

‘I don't mind you being a geek – you're the most sexy geek I've ever met. And in return, you can humour me with all my Ironman-training-shenanigans for this last event, then that's it. After next month, I'll just join you on your power-walking round the grounds at home. But I might have to elbow in on your personal trainer once in a while.'

‘Oi! Kieran is mine! He's already been eyeing you up enough as it is. And asking me about your abs!'

‘And I only have eyes for yours,' he said, bending down and kissing her exposed tummy.

‘Well, funny you should say that,' she said, biting her lip.

‘Oh oh, you've got that look on your face again. What does that mean this time? Last time it was a new house. Mind you, it was worth it just to see the look on the girls' faces.'

‘And the look on Stuart's the first time he came to pick them up from there! It was such a picture!'

‘Don't piss him off – at least I get you to myself when they're staying with him.' Mac reached down and gently kissed the base of Sadie's neck and she shivered with pleasure.

‘You're too good at that. You see, you'll probably be wanting to keep a close eye on my belly for the next – ooh, seven months or so?'

‘Seven? Why seven, do you—'

Mac stopped dead, stood bolt upright and took her hands in his. For the longest moment he didn't speak. Then he swallowed hard. ‘You mean you're …'

‘Yes, darling. You are pleased, aren't you? We'll be older parents but—'

‘Oh my God, Sadie, I'm delighted. Of course I am.' He took her into his arms and kissed her with all his heart.

‘What will the girls think?'

‘They'll be very happy about it. Happier if it's a boy tho' – less competition for borrowed jeggings and hair straighteners.'

‘I'll buy them their own.' Mac laughed

‘Don't worry, maybe Bill Galloway can predict a little boy.'

‘That'd be amazing.'

‘And you can choose a name for him,' she said. ‘And I'm sure I know what you'll pick.'

Mac was speechless, he just held her tight, waiting for her answer.

‘Philip!' She teased. ‘Or BJ. Or P—'

‘Don't say it!' he said, tickling her playfully.

‘Or else the girls might insist he should be named Justin, or “Will. I. Anderson” or Jazzy A or something.'

‘Wow,' Mac said. ‘What a gift you've bestowed on me.'

‘I guess I found the one present I can safely give the man who has everything.' Sadie smiled.

‘I do now. Thank you, Mrs Sadie Samantha Anderson Businesswoman.'

‘It's my pleasure entirely,' she replied. ‘And it's still Ms.'