The Gift, Book 3 (The Billionaire's Love Story) (3 page)

Skating would have been free if they’d had their own skates, but even so, it was affordable, for a one time treat. She skated as close behind him as she could. He tried to turn around, “See?” He yelled, before losing his balance and crashing to the ground. In an instant she was around him, helping him to get up and protecting him from others who might have skated into him. Thankfully, it wasn’t as busy as she’d feared. She didn’t like crowded places but this, today, was just perfect. In fact, the whole of the Winter Village with its music, cafes and benches had the right vibe. Smiling and relaxed visitors, recovering from the Christmas and the New Year madness, ambled around happily.

“We can take a break,” she suggested, pulling Jacob’s hat down over his head. This weather could trigger his asthma; it was something she was always fearful of.

“No, Mommy. I want to go around again. We’ve got time, haven’t we?”

“Come on, then,” she agreed, giving in. They had another twenty minutes at least. She had taken him a few times back home but they had never been ice-skating in New York before. Maybe she’d try to come out here once a month at least, while the rink was open. She skated behind him, gliding gracefully over the ice, fearless and confident and feeling the blood rushing through her.

The sun glistened in the crisp blue sky. It was icy cold, but small slices of the sun’s rays took the edge off the iciness in the air. She had warmed up now and Jacob, with his flushed cheeks and squeals looked to be having the time of his life.

Last night they had gone to bed soon after midnight after seeing the fireworks in Times Square on TV. There didn’t seem much reason to stay up and Jacob had almost fallen asleep on the sofa beside her earlier.

He’d woken up early this morning, excited about skating, and his Marvel figures didn’t get so much as a glance while he rushed to have breakfast and get ready.

She peered at the café in the distance; its warm and inviting lights looked welcoming and she was tempted to go there and have a snack. But Jacob had already told her what he wanted. On their way to the rink they had passed some tiny boutiques and kiosks, like brightly lit shoeboxes lining the alleys around the park, all with a European feel to them. Some sold hot chocolate and cylinder shaped donuts filled with chocolate, some sold mac & cheese, lots of others had some kind of speciality. But Jacob wanted a nice hotdog, and come to think of it, she wanted one too. Fully loaded with greasy onions and drenched in mustard and ketchup. Her stomach gurgled as she skated past an area where a market stall was selling them and the tangy, salty smell of hotdogs floated over and seduced her senses. Maybe they would have some hot chocolate later as well, along with those donuts.

The fact that she could now consider doing these things, that she could even contemplate a day out here with her son, was a small but important milestone for her. Until now she had deliberately avoided visiting Bryant Park or any place that cost money to visit. It was a simple day out yet to her it represented a kind of liberation that only those who had lived with scarcity, who had scrimped and saved and hoarded their dollars—like she had done just so that they could have enough for a week’s groceries—only those people would understand. She appreciated this one glorious day out with her son for that very reason.

Smiling at her good fortune, she caught Jacob waving and looked over to see whom he was waving to. But she didn’t see a familiar face as she stared at the crowds of people lined around the perimeter of the rink. Jacob soon came to a stop and waited until she had slowed down and was by his side.

“Who are you waving at, Honey?”

“Mr. Stone’s here!” He pointed and waved again with a burst of excitement. She turned and stared as her stomach knotted up like a cat’s paw. There he was, in dark jeans, a dark sweater and a leather jacket straight out of Top Gun. She swallowed. He waved. She smiled feebly, unwilling to lift her hand and wave back, but Jacob was waving excitedly enough for both of them.

“Shall we go around a few more times? We don’t have long left.”

“Can’t we go and say ‘hello’?” Jacob insisted.

She hesitated, not wanting to, and examined the people around Tobias hoping he would be with someone. But she was also partly relieved that he was not. He seemed to be alone. “They haven’t told us to come off yet, Jacob. We have a little more time. Shall we skate until the very end? We can go and say ‘hello’ then?” With any luck, Tobias would have wandered off, she hoped. She stared down in dismay at her jeans and big, loose cardigan and the same coat she wore to work. She really didn’t want to meet this man, especially not looking the way she was.

“Awww, Mommy. Let’s go and see him
now
.”

It was pointless. Jacob wasn’t to be deterred and from the looks of it, Tobias Stone appeared to be waiting for them.

“Alright,” she said, begrudgingly. “You lead the way.”

They clunked their way over to the stands in their heavy skates, and Jacob tripped over and almost went face first onto the ground. Luckily, Tobias stepped forward and grabbed him before he hit the ground. “Gotcha,” he said, smiling at her son. “Happy New Year,” he said and turned his head briefly to nod at her.

“Happy New Year,” she murmured, trying not to stare at him too much, or the way he looked in that big, chunky jacket.

“I didn’t know you were such an awesome skater, Jacob.” The boy smiled as though he’d won a medal. “I learn from the best. Mommy’s awesome. Did you see her?” Tobias looked at her again. “I saw. She’s pretty good.” She nodded in return, even attempting a smile, as she once again lost the ability to speak.

“Can you skate, Mr. Stone?” Jacob asked, and then quickly, “Do you want to skate with us?” His voice rose to an excited pitch at this amazing new idea. Savannah’s insides lurched. “Our session’s about to finish now, Jacob.”

Tobias answered, “I’m not as good as you. I’d have a hard time keeping up.”

“I can show you. Or Mommy will.” Her muscles tightened in response when Jacob volunteered her.

“I don’t think that would be wise,” Tobias replied on her behalf.

“I’m sure Mr. Stone has better things to do.” Savannah’s voice sounded oddly tight, even to herself, and she wondered if he noticed. Or why he had that effect on her. One minute she’d been skating happily around with the wind surging through her hair, filling her lungs, and turning her cheeks red, sending her heart soaring. The next moment, right after she’d found out about Tobias, she was suddenly self-conscious about herself and worried that her hair was bedraggled and her cheeks bright red and splotchy.

“Your Mommy always thinks I have better things to do, huh Jacob?” Her son giggled wickedly at Tobias’s comment but she knew the remark was directed at her. He stood with his hands in his jean pockets, his bulky leather jacket making his frame look even bigger than she remembered. She wished she’d made more of an effort.

“Our time’s up,” she said, when the announcement came over the loudspeaker. She hoped the small talk would soon come to an end and that Tobias would move on. But he looked as if he had no intention of going anywhere.

“I call that perfect timing,” Tobias announced, grinning at them both. “You’re finishing, and I only just got here.” Jacob looked ecstatic.

“Thank you for Iron Man and the Marvel Quinjet, Mr. Stone. I’ve been playing with them nearly all of the time.”

“You’re welcome.”

“It was such a cool surprise when it arrived. Mommy kept thinking there had been a mistake.

“I bet she did,” replied Tobias, stealing a glance at Savannah’s heated face.

“Do you like hotdogs, Mr. Stone? We’re having hotdogs. Do you want one?”

“Hot dogs?” Tobias repeated, as if they were the most delicious food in the world. “They are one of my favorite things to eat, especially in a place like this.”

“I don’t think Mr. Stone likes hot dogs,” Savannah said.

“I love hot dogs,” he replied. “It’s been a long time since I last had one.”

“Why don’t you get one with us?” Jacob cried. Tobias paused and looked at her as if he was canvassing for her reaction. Savannah felt pushed into a corner with Jacob chomping at the bit to spend more time with Tobias. She felt it would not do to turn him away. Her son was hungry for male company and since he wasn’t exposed to it, she felt reluctant to ruin this opportunity. He was so excited to see Tobias again and clearly wanted to spend time with him. For his sake she had to let go of the fact that this man was her boss, and someone she didn’t, or shouldn’t frequent with. It wasn’t only that, but she still hadn’t forgotten how he’d reacted when she’d dared to think that Naomi was his wife. She never felt completely at ease around Tobias Stone.

Trust her to pick this day of all the days in the entire year to come to Bryant Park. And trust him to be here, too.

Didn’t he have better things to do like spend time with that overly groomed girlfriend of his? The thought of Naomi stabbed her like a pitchfork.

“Would that be alright?” Tobias asked, hesitating. She shrugged and held out her hands as if to reveal her helplessness in the situation.

“We’re having hotdogs,” he said to Jacob and her son gave him the most endearing smile. “Tell you what. I’ll get the hotdogs while you both—”

“You don’t have to do that,” Savannah interjected. “I’ll go and —”

“It’s fine. I’d like to.” He said, with a finality that had her back down. “What’s yours? Plain or with onions?” He asked Jacob.

“Nothing but the dog and lots of ketchup please, Mr. Stone.”

He turned to her, his eyes asking. She would have said no, but the smell of the onions had already wafted over and tantalized her taste buds. “Hotdog, with onions, and mustard and ketchup, please.” She slipped her hand into her coat pocket and took out her small purse, ready to give him a ten dollar bill.

He waved his hand. “No need,” he said, dismissing her easily. She already felt indebted, and this added to it. Pursing her lips together she slipped the purse back; there was no point in making a scene about it. She didn’t think he would let her win in this case. “Thanks.”

“Back in a moment,” he told them.

“We’ll be over by the benches near the pavilion.” Savannah told him and guided Jacob over to the area where they could take off their skates. She opened up her locker and took out their shoes. They walked over and sat down.

“Isn’t this fun, Mommy?” Jacob could barely sit still as she pulled his skates off.

“Isn’t it?” she replied, hoping they wouldn’t have to spend all day with Tobias.

“I really like Mr. Stone, Mommy. He’s always so kind to us, isn’t he?” She handed him his sneakers. “I guess,” she said, and started to take her own skates off.

“Can we spend the day with him?”

Her mouth tightened as she tied up the laces to her sneakers. “I think he’s got things planned, Honey. You can’t ask people to do something just because its what you want.”

“Why not?”

She let out a breath. “Because, it’s just the way it is. I want to spend my day off with you. Just the two of us. That’s my plan for the day, and I think we should let Mr. Stone do what he set out to do.” She smiled at him sweetly, and when he opened his mouth to say something, she quickly got up. “Stay here,” she ordered, no longer able to keep Jacob’s questions at bay. “I’m going to return the skates.”

Walking back, she smoothed down her hair and wondered if Tobias had noticed that this was the same coat she had worn to work.

As if he would notice
her.

As if he would pay any attention to what she was wearing.

“Shall we go and sit on one of those benches near the Christmas tree? Mr. Stone will see us if we wave.”

They got up and walked past the hotdog stand. “Here,” she said, taking out her anti-bacterial hand wash and dropping a splodge on Jacob’s chubby little hand.

Shit.

Why had she asked for a hotdog with all the works? It was going to be near impossible to eat without the onions and relish dribbling all over the place. As famished as she was, she should have stuck to a bottle of water.

Chapter 4

Tobias walked back to the bench where Savannah and Jacob were now waiting and handed them their hotdogs. Strange, to onlookers it would look like a normal family day out and yet the truth was so different.

“Thank you, Mr. Stone.” The little boy’s face said it all and reminded Tobias of how at that age even the simplest of things brought so much happiness. “Thank you,” his mother said, taking her hotdog and looking away quickly as if she was afraid to catch his eye.

“So, this was unexpected, meeting you both here,” he commented, hoping to get the conversation going.

“Isn’t it great?” Jacob replied.

Savannah stared back at him and her lips lifted into a smile. Just about. He sensed her awkwardness, as if she found his presence hard to bear, and yet he hoped he would be able to sneak a moment to speak to her, especially since yesterday had proved so elusive.

This—meeting her unexpectedly had taken him by surprise. But he was glad that he had meandered off course from his walk and found this place in the middle of the city. He thought he knew New York well, but he didn’t venture out on foot that much, these days. He preferred to busy his head in business, hiding under his work and if he needed to go anywhere, he relied on Morris mostly. Though he also drove if he needed to.