The Pitch: City Love 2 (18 page)

“Got you,” I cried happily.

Noah looked crestfallen for a brief second, then a searing pain in my shin made me drop him.
“Ow!”
The kid had
kicked
me. Hard.

“Noah!” I heard Paul yell and he came up the stairs two at a time. He caught Noah in his arms, stopping him from dashing off. I looked down at my injured leg in shock and quickly blinked away involuntary tears.

That kid could kick.

“Noah.” Paul said again, setting the boy down and giving him a stern look. “Did you just kick Maddy?”

It was the first time he’d called me that in earnest and it was doing strange things to my stomach. Suddenly the pain in my leg didn’t seem so bad.

“Yes.” Noah looked over at me sullenly.

“You don’t kick people. Ever. Especially not our dinner guests.”

“But she caught me.”

I bit back a smile. Poor kid. I had to admire his determination.

“Yes, she did,” Paul said. “Fair and square. It’s important to be a good loser as well as a good winner.”

Noah’s frown deepened. “Sorry, Maddy.”

“That’s okay. And you’re right. You’re quicker than me.”

Noah’s face transformed into an exuberant smile. “Told you.”

Paul looked at me gratefully. “Come on, boys. It’s time for dinner. You can play PlayStation while Maddy and I serve it up.”

The boys ran off downstairs, sounding like a stampede of elephants, which I was beginning to realize was their usual method of getting from one place to another.

Paul straightened and ran a hand through his short cropped hair. “I’m sorry about that. Noah’s a sweet kid but a touch competitive.”

“Don’t apologize. I used to take my older brother’s friends on – and win.”

“I can imagine.”

I shifted my weight onto my good leg. “And it’s Maddy now, is it?”

Paul’s gaze swept over me, taking in my unusually messy appearance after my run in with Noah. “I thought Maddy was more casual for the boys. I hope you don’t mind?”

“Of course not.” I hobbled toward the stairs and started making my way down. “I do still kind of like it when you call me by my full name, though.”

“I thought you preferred the other alternative.”

I turned and gave him a questioning look.

He smirked. “
Goddess
. It seemed to have a better reaction if you ask me.”

I blushed and hurried to the kitchen, grateful that the boys were in another room playing.

Dinner was surprisingly relaxed. Paul demonstrated his culinary skills again by creating a risotto that the boys wolfed down. After he sent them to go and play, I leaned back in my chair and surveyed the empty dishes. “They’re good eaters.”

“We’re lucky. They always have been, although we introduced them to variety at a young age.”

We stared at each other, suddenly aware we were alone. The noise of a video game echoed up the hallway from the study.

“Thanks for coming tonight,” Paul said.

“Thanks for inviting me.”

“I know it was a lot to ask.”

I shook my head at him. “It would have been harder for you to ask than for me to accept.”

He was silent for a while, studying his glass of half drunk red wine. “Two boys is probably not what you had in mind. Especially boys that attack you on your first meeting.”

“I’m trying not to take that personally.” I shrugged. “They’re your life, Paul.”

“It seems a lot to ask of someone to take on.” He paused and gave me a gentle look. “For someone who thought she’d never have children.”

I cast my gaze out the window. “I get the impression you think you can’t have your children in your life as well as a relationship.”

“It’s a lot to ask. Of the woman and of my boys.”

“Plenty of people do it. Why do you think you’re any different?”

Paul ignored my question and leaned toward me, resting his elbows on the edge of the table. “Is this what you want, Madeleine?”

I bit my lip at the use of my full name, my heart hammering at the sound of it. “I’d like a relationship with you,” I said honestly.

“And the boys?”

“Provided they don’t decide kicking me is acceptable behavior,” I joked, “I’m willing to give it a try.”

Paul pushed his seat back abruptly, the wood scraping against the polished floor. He went to stand by the tall Victorian windows, his back to me.

“You don’t seem to believe me,” I said.

“I believe you. I just don’t believe you know what you’re getting yourself into.”

I stood and went to join him, resting a hand lightly on his shoulder. “Perhaps you don’t believe you deserve to be happy again.”

He turned to look at me.

“Give me a chance, Paul. That’s all I ask.”

He nodded, a muscle twitching in his jaw.

“
Dad!
Jack won’t let me have a go.” Noah’s voice traveled up the hallway to us.

Paul sighed and rolled his eyes. “Give me a minute. I’m going to try to get Noah up to bed now anyway. Make yourself at home.”

I watched as he rounded the corner into the hallway and sighed as well. It was like he didn’t want to believe me. Or he was trying to protect everyone from getting hurt, which was a depressing thought. Well, I wasn’t going to let him think like that any longer. He deserved to be happy and so did I. I would do everything I could to make it work. So what if a divorced man with two children hadn’t been on my list? It didn’t matter, because he was what I wanted.

My mother was right. It was a good thing he already had children. If I’d met Paul under different circumstances and he’d wanted a family, would we have ended up like Chris and I?

But how did I feel about making room in my life for Paul’s children? It didn’t bother me, I realized. Yes, I was still nervous about how things with Jack and Noah would go, but I had to try for Paul’s sake. I wanted to.

I turned and surveyed the dirty dishes, then started clearing the table. I was halfway to the kitchen when Jack rounded the corner and held out his hands.

“Here. I’ll take them,” he said.

I passed them to him and watched as he headed to the kitchen, then began stacking the dishes into the dishwasher. I returned to the dining table for another load and brought them into the kitchen.

He looked so much like Paul, I found myself staring at him. He wasn’t as young as I thought. His jaw hinted at the same strength of character as his father’s and in a few years he’d look even more like him.

“What?” He eyed me suspiciously.

I shook myself at my rudeness. “Sorry. I was just thinking how much you look like your Dad.”

He screwed up his nose. “I guess.”

He continued stacking the dishes, seemingly unconcerned to have me standing there. He was more like Paul than in just looks too. He didn’t feel the need to make conversation.

It was me who chose to break it. “Your Dad tells me you’re about to turn thirteen soon.”

“Yeah.”

“And Noah’s seven?”

“Yeah, he’s only in grade three.”

I looked around for something to do. I’d feel strange just going and sitting down in the lounge room and ignoring him, even though he wasn’t making any effort at conversation. I settled on locating my glass and pouring myself another wine.

Jack glanced at me when I put the bottle down on the bench.

“How do you know my dad?” he asked.

“Through work. He helped me to win some new business for my company and now we’re working on the account together.”

“Are you his girlfriend?”

I set my glass down on the bench carefully. “I’m a friend.”

“And you’re a girl.” He gave me a shy grin and I saw that as well as his looks, he’d also inherited some of Paul’s wit.

“Yes. I’m a girl.” I returned his smile. “Why? Doesn’t your Dad bring friends who are girls over for dinner very often?”

“You’re the first.”

That was unexpected. I knew Paul was wary, but I’d had no idea he hadn’t seen anyone seriously since his divorce. “I should feel honored then.”

Jack continued filling the dishwasher. “I don’t know why he’s so worried about it. Mum has been with Gabe for years.”

“Your mum has a boyfriend?”

“They’re engaged.”

I took another sip of wine. This conversation with Jack was proving very informative. “Do you and Noah like Gabe?”

“Sure.” Jack shrugged easily. “He’s pretty cool.”

Jack finished stacking the dishwasher, shut it and turned to me. “Dad didn’t say anything to you about Mum and Gabe, did he?”

“Why would he?”

“He’s hopeless at talking about stuff. Mum says that’s why he’s still alone.”

I swallowed another sip of wine, unsure of what to say next.

“Dad should be back down in a minute. I’ll see you later.”

With that, he turned and disappeared back down the hallway.

I exhaled a long breath and leaned against the bench. Well, at least Jack didn’t seem opposed to the idea of me being around. If he already had a potential stepfather on the scene who he was very relaxed about, there was no reason for him to dislike me – yet.

I shook off my negativity and walked back to the lounge room. I sank into the comfortable leather sofa and stared out at the view. If Paul’s wife had moved on, why did Paul seem to have such a problem with doing the same? The boys weren’t even with him full time, only every second weekend, so their exposure to me would be a lot less. Maybe it said more about Paul than it did about me. He was being cautious when it came to his kids, and who could blame him?

I heard soft footfalls behind me.

“Hey,” Paul said. “Sorry about that.” He noticed the cleared dining table and tidy kitchen. “Did Jack clean up?”

“Yes.”

“That’s unusual.”

“Why?”

“I usually have to bribe him to lift a finger.”

“He seemed quite willing tonight,” I said.

Paul gave me a long look. “He’s obviously got good taste in women.”

I reddened. “He asked if I was your girlfriend.”

“What did you say?”

“I told him I was a friend.”

Paul’s expression was unreadable as he picked up his glass of wine and sat down opposite me.

“I didn’t know your wife was engaged,” I announced casually.

Paul’s eyebrows lifted while he swallowed a sip of wine. “Yes. To a man name Gabe.”

“It sounds like they’ve been together for a while. Jack seemed pretty relaxed about him.”

“He’s a good man.”

“That must be a relief for you,” I said.

“Sometimes it’s a source of frustration. He sees more of my boys than I do.”

“Why do you only get to see them every other weekend?”

Paul exhaled and ran a hand through his hair again, which I now recognized to be a nervous gesture. “When we divorced, I was very focused on work. Laura and I agreed it was better for the boys if their routines were disrupted as little as possible.”

“That was five years ago. Why not talk to her about altering the arrangement?”

“I need to do what’s best for the boys, not what’s best for me.”

“Who says only seeing their father every other weekend is good for them?” I registered Paul’s hard stare but decided to ignore it. “Have you asked the boys what they’d like?”

“No.”

“Surely they’re old enough to have a say now?”

Paul shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Maybe, but why should their lives be thrown upside down because I didn’t get it right the first time around?”

“I’m sorry,” I said. Paul had asked me over to dinner to meet his sons, not to offer my suggestions on their living arrangements. Now I’d gone and dredged up all his regrets. “I’m being pushy.”

The corner of Paul’s mouth twitched. “It’s one of the reasons I like you.”

“Because I’m bossy? You’re a strange man.”

“I like a woman who knows what she wants.”

“I think I’ve made it clear what I want,” I said softly.

“You have.” His lips twitched again.

We stared at each other, sexual tension pulsing between us. It had been a long week and I’d missed Paul. I jolted when the sound of another video game broke the silence.

“Jack will be playing by himself now that Noah’s in bed,” Paul explained.

“Noah seemed pretty good at beating his big brother earlier,” I observed. “Does that happen very often?”

“Jack usually goes easy on him with the computer games.”

“He seems pretty tolerant of Noah.”

Paul nodded. “He’s a good big brother.”

I decided to change the subject. I didn’t want to offer any more opinions on Paul’s children tonight, it felt premature and meddling of me. “I love your place,” I said. “How long have you lived here?”

“I bought it after the divorce. So I guess that means I’ve been here five years.”

“You bought this?”

Paul looked at me curiously. “Why?”

“It’s not what I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

“Something modern,” I suggested.

Paul shook his head. “No way. I wanted something with character.”

I leaned forward in my chair, hiding a secret smile with my hand. It seemed silly, but I was falling for him a little bit more after that statement.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing. You’ve got good taste, that’s all.”

His blues eyes looked directly into mine. “I like to think so.”

I looked away, oddly embarrassed by his innuendo. What was it about this man that made my heart stop?

“Madeleine.”

Our eyes locked. “Careful,” I warned.

“Next week,” he said, ignoring me. “Come and stay with me. I’ll cook you dinner. Whatever night suits. That applies to next weekend as well – if you’re keen.”

Inside, it felt like all my Christmases had come at once. Paul – the only man to turn my head in four years – was inviting me into his house, his home. I knew it wasn’t something he’d do lightly. I disguised my jubilation with a playful smile. “That depends.”

“On?”

“Do you have a swimming pool?”

The days grew longer and I found myself less eager to stay late at work. Instead, I’d head to Paul’s and enjoy a glass of wine in the evening, sitting in his small courtyard overlooking the city. As we watched the brilliant blue of the sky fade to dusky pinks and burnt oranges, we discussed work and everything else besides.

He didn’t raise the issue of having children again and he willingly involved me in his boys’ lives. Hanging out with his kids proved more fun than I’d expected. They were young enough to accept my presence easily and I discovered I enjoyed their company almost as much as their father’s.

Two months ago if someone had told me I’d be spending my Saturday afternoon in the stands at the local sporting ground, watching Paul’s son play cricket, I wouldn’t have believed them. Today it felt like a completely natural way to spend my weekend.

Paul nudged me from where he sat beside me. “Jack’s up.”

We watched his oldest son stride casually on to the cricket pitch, bat in hand. I knew Paul well enough, and now Jack, to appreciate that beneath the casualness was a strong sense of purpose.

“Bet he’s out for a duck,” Noah piped up helpfully, from Paul’s other side.

“Noah.” Paul pulled his youngest son’s hat down over his head, so he was unable to see. “I think your big brother can manage to get a run.”

Noah giggled and righted his hat. “Just joking.” He leaned around his Dad to look at me. “Last game Jack was in for a half-century. That’s fifty runs,” he explained. Ever since I’d told him on the drive over that I didn’t watch much cricket, Noah had decided it was his job to educate me on the sport. “I hope he can go longer this time.”

I smiled at Noah’s admiration for his older brother. “Do you play?”

“Nah. Too much standing still. I like to – ”

“Run,” I finished for him.

“He’ll be playing soccer next year,” Paul told me, not taking his eyes from the field.

I relaxed into my chair – as much as I was able to in a hard, plastic seat – and watched Jack and his team. Noah was right, his older brother was a good batter. I generally didn’t watch cricket because I found it too slow, but an hour slid past easily and Jack was still batting, having achieved sixty runs.

I noticed Noah’s loyalty for his brother extended only so far and he was becoming fidgety.

“How about I take you to get an ice cream?” I suggested, because my legs were growing stiff.

Noah looked at his Dad expectantly and Paul nodded, then handed him some money. I waited for Noah to join me on the steps. He reached over and slipped his hand in mine, then tugged me up the steps toward the ice cream stall.

I still wasn’t used to the easy way Noah would grab my hand, tickle or hug me – Jack was too old for that sort of personal contact. Noah seemed to feed off it. It came completely naturally to him and it always made me feel unexpectedly special when he did it.

Standing in front of the ice cream stand, Noah deliberated over the selection of flavors.

“One chocolate ice cream please,” he asked the man wearing a bright red hat, who was selling the ice creams.

“Make that two,” I told him.

We paid for our purchases and I waited while Noah peeled the wrapper off with intense concentration.

“How about we eat them standing up here?” I suggested, pointing toward the shaded area. The afternoon sun was blistering and his ice cream was already starting to drip.

Noah nodded and slurped the chocolate treat into oblivion. I watched in fascination as he not only managed to eat it but got it all over himself in the process. I handed him a tissue when he was done.

“Thanks.” He succeeded in smearing it all over his face, rather than wiping it away.

“Here.” I leaned down and did a better job of removing most of the chocolate, then turned and put the tissue in the bin.

The man in the red hat caught my eye and gave me a smile. “Your boy made good work of that.”

“I – ” I paused, not sure whether to correct him. I supposed I had been rather motherly, wiping his face like that. Also, despite Noah’s hair being curly and mine being straight, we had similar colorings. “Yes, he did.”

I took Noah’s hand and we started down the stairs.

“Did he think you were my mum?” Noah asked, looking at me curiously.

“Yes. It must be because we have the same dark hair and eyes.”

“Why didn’t you correct him?”

“It just seemed easier than trying to explain,” I answered honestly.

Noah was quiet as we made our way back to our seats. Apart from being kicked at our first meeting, Noah and I had been getting along really well. I hoped I hadn’t ruined it.

He turned abruptly when we came to our row and I bumped into him. “Sorry.”

He ignored my apology. “I don’t mind, you know.”

“You don’t mind what?”

“If people think you’re my mum.” He shrugged. “I mean, I’ve got my own mum already but I don’t mind pretending you’re mine when you’re around.”

I bit back a smile at his sweetness. “That’s very thoughtful of you, but I don’t think it would be right. You’ve already got a mum.”

“Why can’t I have two mums?”

It was an innocent question and I tried to find the right words. “Don’t you think it might upset your real mum?”

He screwed up his face while he thought about it. “Nah. Mum knows she’s the real one and I’ve already got two dads: Dad and Gabe.”

I swallowed, glad that we were still far enough away for Paul not to hear us. On one hand it was good that Noah had a good relationship with Gabe, but I knew it would upset Paul. I kneeled down and looked him in the eye. “Sweetheart. I’m here for you whenever you need me, but being a mum is a really special job. I’m not sure I’m ready for that, just yet. But I would like to be your good friend, if that’s okay?”

Noah’s dark eyes were thoughtful for a moment, then he shrugged again. “Okay.”

He turned and ran back toward his dad. I breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing I wanted to do was cause problems for Paul between him and his ex-wife.

“Everything alright?” Paul sent me a concerned look when I sat down beside him. “Where are the ice creams?”

“Devoured,” I said lightly. “They were melting so quickly we ate them up there.”

Paul nodded, then pointed at Jack who was still on the field. “Your brother looks like he might make a century,” Paul commented to Noah.

Noah looked over at me. “That’s one hundred runs,” he explained to me, then turned back to his dad. “Cool. Then can we go home?”

I had to admit, the thought of a chilled white wine and being out of the sun was becoming more and more appealing.

“Soon.”

Jack made the century and then promptly got bowled out one run later. He came up to the stands to see us, still covered in a sheen of sweat. His mop of blond hair looked fairer than usual and his forearms were tanned from the weekends he’d been spending in the sun.

“Good work, mate,” Paul congratulated him.

“Thanks.” Jack flushed slightly, although it was hard to tell in his overheated state. “Hey, Dad? Can I go to the beach with Tim after? His dad is going to take us and he said he’d drop me back by dinner.”

“Sure.” Paul glanced at Noah sitting beside him. “We might head off now then if you’ve got no problem with that. Fancy Feet is getting bored.”

Jack shook his head at his little brother. “No worries. Just remind Fancy Feet of this when I have to sit through his soccer games next year, alright?”

Noah stuck out his tongue. “Soccer games are heaps shorter. Cricket games last
forever.
”

“That’s because we’re winning.”

“It’s still boring,” Noah groaned.

“Noah.” Paul shook his head at him, then looked back at Jack. “We’ll see you at home later on.”

Jack nodded, started to walk away, then stopped and turned to face us. “Thanks for coming too, Maddy,” he said shyly. “I hope it wasn’t too boring.”

“Not at all. I’ve enjoyed it,” I told him truthfully.

Jack looked at me shyly again. “Cool. See ya.”

He ran off back to his teammates and I turned to find Paul smiling at me, his eyes twinkling.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing.”

“No. What is it?”

Paul’s lips quirked in his signature style. “Nothing.”

“
Paul.”

“A teenage boy just said thank you to you.”

“So?”

“You’re in.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “You’re just not used to him being nice to you, that’s all.”

“Exactly. You’re in,” he repeated.

“I’m not
in.
”

He bumped his shoulder to mine, then wrapped an arm around my waist. “I’m telling you, you’re in,” he whispered.

I laughed, then smacked a loud kiss onto his cheek. “If only all men were that easy.”

“I’d prefer to think the Neilsen boys have good taste.”

I wanted to tell him he was full of shit, but figured that wouldn’t go down well with Noah around. As it was, Noah was watching on with a look of confusion.

“What are you guys talking about?” he asked us.

“I’m just telling Maddy that Jack likes her,” Paul said.

Noah nodded seriously. “He does, Maddy. He likes you a lot.”

I cleared my throat and started looking around for my bottle of water. I wasn’t sure how much more Neilsen boy love I could take.

“See?” Paul was watching me with a decidedly self-satisfied expression.

“I like you too,” Noah added, echoing our earlier discussion.

“I like you too, sweetheart,” I replied, after I’d had a sip of water.

“
In,”
Paul whispered into my ear.

I hit him playfully and we started gathering our things for the ride home.

*

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy.” Christa stretched her small body out before lying on her beach towel.

It was Sunday morning and I’d invited her and Max to the beach to witness my surfing prowess. I wanted to show Paul but was hesitant to do so until I had someone other than John confirm I didn’t look completely ridiculous. I figured I could depend on my best friend and older brother to be honest.

“She’s right.” Max tossed Christa the sunscreen bottle.

Christa looked at him over the top of her sunglasses. “Put it on my back, won’t you darling?”

Max grinned at her, then started smoothing the lotion over her back. Clearly it wasn’t a task he considered an ordeal. “So are you going to invite Paul along to Mum and Dad’s Christmas dinner?” he asked.

“I think so, but only if it’s not going to interfere with the plans he’s got for his kids.”

“You could invite the boys along too,” Christa added.

“Mum would love that, wouldn’t she?” Max said. I’d escaped the responsibility for producing grandchildren due to my condition, but Max and Christa were currently the hot favorites on that front. I figured he was hoping including Paul’s boys might take the pressure off them.

I shook my head. “Not yet. It’s too soon to include the kids.”

“Fair enough,” Christa said. “Oh my God. Is that
John?
”

I looked in the direction Christa was peering. John Hart was walking toward us, surfboard under one arm and a black wetsuit stripped to his waist, revealing his very impressive, toned olive chest.

“That’s John,” I confirmed.

“Scarlett is such a
dickhead,”
Christa whispered.

Max cleared his throat and stopped rubbing the lotion onto Christa’s back. “Your boyfriend is right here.”

“I have eyes, Mighty Max. What would you like me to do?”

Max glanced at John coming toward us, then back at Christa. “Keep them to yourself,” he suggested.

I shook my head at my brother. “You hardly have anything to be worried about.”

“See?” Christa gave him a bright smile.

Max returned the smile, but it was tight. “I have eyes too, Bubbles.”

“Didn’t think you went for that.” Christa grinned, then flicked a handful of sand all over Max’s chest. She squealed when he reached over and pick her up effortlessly, throwing her over his shoulder.

“
No!
What on earth are you doing?”

“Cooling you off.”

He jogged toward the water with her over his shoulder, Christa’s squeals fading as they reached the waves. I watched as he waded into the shallows. When the water was up to his waist, he tossed her in.

“
Nooo!”

I laughed to myself as she disappeared into the whitewash and emerged a moment later, her curls plastered to her face. “You bastard!” She squealed again when Max splashed her and attempted to run away, but he caught her easily with one arm.

“Friends of yours?”

I looked up at John’s smiling face. His eyes were full of humor.

“My friend Christa and my brother, Max.” I broke his gaze and looked toward the water again. Max had Christa locked firmly in his arms and was kissing her. “They’re in a relationship,” I clarified, although it was blatantly obvious.

“I figured as much.” John sat down beside me and stretched out his long legs. “Looks like everyone is in love except for me.”

“Don’t tell me you’re still holding onto a flame for Scarlett?”

He cleared his throat. “I wouldn’t say that. I’ve been staying away from her.”

“How’s that going?”

“Easier than I expected. It’s surprisingly easy to avoid her when she’s pissed off with you.”

“What’s she pissed off at now?” I said blandly.

“She didn’t say anything?”

I glanced over at him. “No. Why?”

His eyes turned mischievous. “I might have got her included in an exhibition in New York.”

I stared at him open-mouthed. “How?”

“We have a major client here in Australia. He works in finance and he’s worth big bucks. We’ve just finished the restoration and extension of his primary residence.”

I nodded, well aware that John worked for an architecture firm based in the city.

“His wife is a major art collector and I met her when I was on-site a few times,” John continued. “I mentioned Scarlett’s work in passing, not really thinking too much of it. Anyway, it turned out she went to Scarlett’s exhibition recently and she loved her work.”

“But what’s that got to do with New York?”