Once back on the bus, Jodie asked, ‘Can we go to the park on the way back?’
‘Sure, honey. I’m happy to take you—but Ben may have other plans.’
Seeing Jodie’s hopeful glance, Ben shook his head. ‘Nope. No other plans. The park sounds great. We can get an ice cream.’
He remembered their gelato by moonlight, and found it hard to believe that had been mere days ago.
‘Goodie!’ Jodie beamed at him. ‘I’ll show you how high I can go on the swings.’
The rest of the day was a far cry from his usual weekend pursuits. He watched Jodie as she soared high into the air and then raced around the park chasing the autumnal leaves, he watched Sarah as she interacted with her daughter, and then they all had an ice cream before boarding another bus for home.
Home. His home, not theirs. Yet in an alternative universe this would be how life was: a family day the norm rather than a one-off novelty. There were people who did this all the time—every weekend.
The idea assaulted his brain and panic resurfaced. It was a panic he needed to hide. No way did he want either Jodie or Sarah to sense it and be made to feel unwelcome.
So he smiled, and laughed, but once they were home he said, ‘Thank you for a lovely day. I need to catch up on emails now, but help yourself to whatever you want. I’ll be in my study. If you need me just shout.’
CHAPTER TWELVE
SARAH DROPPED A kiss onto Jodie’s head and whispered goodnight. Her daughter was already half asleep, her bear and the unicorn tucked in beside her.
As she tiptoed from the room she wondered what to do next. Her plan to keep their distance had been sabotaged by Jodie’s intervention and now she wasn’t sure what to do. Stay in her room? Find Ben? She’d sensed his withdrawal earlier, so maybe she shouldn’t intrude on his evening. But she wanted to thank him for the day, for what he had done for Jodie...
Fifteen minutes later, after a check-in with her mother, she headed downstairs. As she passed the kitchen a delicious aroma of tomato sauce and herbs tinged the air. She hesitated, then tentatively knocked on the open door.
‘Come in. There’s no need to knock.’
Ben turned from the counter and she gulped. His hair was shower-damp, with a hint of unruly curl, and the sleeves of his checked shirt were rolled up to show his forearms, the top button undone to reveal a tantalising triangle of flesh. Her thoughts jumbled.
‘It’s your home,’ she managed.
‘Have you eaten dinner?’
‘Um...no. I made Jodie some scrambled eggs but I wasn’t hungry then.’
‘Well, if you’re hungry now I’ve put a lasagne in the oven and there’s plenty for both of us.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Positive.’
‘Then thank you. And I want to thank you for today too. Jodie had a fantastic day.’
‘I’m glad. She’s a lovely girl. You should be very proud.’
‘I am. But I also want to thank you for what you shared with her. You didn’t have to do that. Knowing she isn’t alone in not knowing her dad has made a huge difference to her. She told me just now that it’s made her feel less alone.’
Sarah was sad that her daughter felt that way, but that sadness was caught up with a glow that this beautiful man had helped soothe her hurt—especially as she knew it couldn’t have been easy for him to share something so personal.
‘So, truly, thank you.’
Her voice caught and she realised she had moved closer to him. Without thinking she stood on tiptoe, reached up and brushed her lips against his cheek, closing her eyes at the ridiculous intimacy. She caught his rough evening stubble and a hint of bergamot.
Move away!
Stepping back hurriedly, she hoped he couldn’t hear the pounding of her heart.
‘You’re welcome. I’m glad it helped.’