“What are you scared of, sweetheart?”
Matty played with a lock of her hair. He rubbed it between his fingers, letting it drop back to her shoulder.
“I’m scared I’ll look stupid. What if I can’t match the beat to the song? What if everybody laughs at me and thinks I’m a douche?”
Now wasn’t the time to reprimand him for his language.
“You’ve practiced that song until it’s almost second nature,” she reminded him. “I don’t think you’ll forget the beat.”
Matty huffed. “I don’t want to let you or Dad down.”
She closed her eyes, lowering her head until her face was buried in his hair. She inhaled deeply. He still smelled soft and sweet, like her little boy.
“Matthew, I can promise, you won’t let us down. I’m so proud you’re even going to try sitting up there on the stage. Even if you dropped every beat, I’d still be the one at the front with a huge grin across my face.” She tipped his face up until he was looking at her. “You’re my son. I’m so proud of everything you do.”
A lock of brown hair fell over his forehead, and Hanna had to restrain herself from pushing it away from his face.
“Do you think Dad will really get here in time?” His lip wobbled.
“I really do.” She squeezed his shoulder, understanding what his fear really was. Not that he might mess up, but that Richard wouldn’t get there in time to see him. “If he was running late, he’d get a message to us somehow.”
The smallest hint of a smile played on Matty’s lips. “Okay. I’ll do it.” He pushed himself up, kicking at the dust as he walked away. She watched him go, wishing he didn’t have to grow up so quickly.
The final minutes passed quickly. She helped the roadies get the instruments ready and supervised the grips as they finished setting up the electrical equipment. As she was finally ready to go and get herself dressed for the evening ahead, she noticed a plug hanging loose halfway up the screen.
Hanna looked around, trying to see if there were any electricians still around, but they’d all left to get a drink. She knew if she waited for them to come back it would be too late. She grabbed the worn metal stepladder and climbed it, reaching up to reconnect the hanging plugs.
“Christ, you look sexy in those shorts.”
She looked down to see Richard standing at the bottom of the steps. He was wearing a crisp white shirt tucked into navy pants, his eyes shielded by dark Ray-Bans. His smooth attire made her feel like a mess.
“Richard!” She scrambled down the steps, jumping off the final few into his open arms. He held her under her butt, his hands digging into the cut-off denim as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He turned and pushed her back against the screen, his hips grinding into her thighs as he moved his mouth to hers.
“I missed you, baby.” His breath was warm against her skin.
Hanna moved her lips along with his, feeling his tongue push inside her mouth. He brushed it against her own, the softness contrasting with the hard grasp of his hands. She gasped at the way he made her respond.
“I missed you, too,” she breathed when he pulled away. “So much.”
He released her, letting her feet fall back onto the ground.
“How was Namibia?” she asked
“We managed to get the agreement to build the school.” His expression told her how relieved he was. “They should break ground next week.”
“That’s amazing.” She stepped forward and kissed him hard. “I can’t believe you talked them round.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “It took a lot of negotiation. It was good to have Dad there with me. They seemed to think his white hair meant he was in charge.”
Hanna didn’t want to let Richard go. He’d been away for two weeks, and she’d missed having him in her bed, and in her arms. But she knew their children were as desperate to see him as she was.
“Have you spoken with Matty yet? He was so afraid you might not make it in time.”
“Yes, I saw him with Tom. He seemed cool as a cucumber.”
It made Hanna smile. Matty was so desperate to please his father that he tried to show no weakness. Luckily, she was there to put Richard right.
“He was having a major attack of stage fright, but I think he’ll be okay now.”