Charmed (Contemporary Romance)

by Ines Saint

  • • •

  Nick laughed at their excitement, and walked over to pick up his toolbox, figuring it was time to go.

  “Are you staying for lunch?” Jamie asked, shooting her kids a quick glance. A moment before, he could’ve sworn she’d wanted to get rid of him, though he couldn’t figure out why. He studied her, wondering if she was just being polite.

  He took in her sun-kissed cheeks, the strands of hair falling out of her ponytail, and the twin’s excitement in the background. “Sure, I’ll stay. Do you need help in the kitchen?” Without thinking, he reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. It had been bothering him for a while. His thumb swept her cheek, and with great effort, he lowered his hand. The pink of her cheeks instantly deepened a few shades. “Or maybe I should just stay out here and keep the peace,” he said, turning away, inadvertently flexing the hand that had touched her.

  Jamie went inside and Nick gave himself a much-needed mental slap. What was he doing touching the woman?

  “Nick?” Michael tugged at his shirt.

  “What’s up, buddy?”

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure, shoot.”

  Michael swayed from side to side. “Um, do you know why I get a tummy ache every time Paula Mitchell talks to me? Am I allergic to her?”

  Nick bit down on his lip, and tried hard not to smile. He squatted so he could be eye level with his young friend. “Do you think Paula Mitchell is pretty?”

  Michael blew out a long, drawn-out breath. “She’s beautiful.”

  “And does that make you nervous?”

  Michael nodded yes.

  “Well, that’s why your tummy hurts when she’s around. It’s because you’re nervous, not because you’re allergic to her.”

  “I don’t like it. Will it ever go away?”

  Nick thought about that before answering. “I think you’d better get used it.”

  Michael’s shoulders slumped, and Nick tickled him. Michael laughed and ran back to his new swings.

  After lunch, the boys wanted to show him each and every one of their toys, and they frequently fought over Nick’s attention. Jamie leaned over once, laughing, and said, “I adore them and I enjoy them, but I can’t blame you for not wanting to start over after already seeing this through to college.” Nick tried to smile, but he still felt bad about that whole thing.

  The kids went outside again and Jamie offered him coffee. He sat on a stool in Jamie’s kitchen and looked around.

  A picture of Jamie and the kids in front of a townhouse hung by the door, and Nick noticed the front door in the picture was black. “Is that the townhouse you were talking about?” Jamie nodded. “I thought you said it had a bright red door.”

  “Well … Scott and I didn’t agree on the color. One day I came home and it was black.”

  Nick couldn’t help thinking he’d have let her paint the door fluorescent alien green if she’d wanted. But it was unfair to judge the late Scott Sullivan over something as silly as a door.

  He finished his coffee, set the mug down on the counter, and started to get up. But the boys came back in when they saw him walking toward the door and begged him to stay. Timmy whispered, “Mom didn’t see me surf down the slide ’cause she was talking to you.” Jamie caught it and bit back a smile.

  “She’ll stop the fun if you leave,” Michael warned.

  “Now, that is not true! I saw you. I just didn’t think it was dangerous.” Jamie laughed, and the boys giggled. They were a tight little trio. Jamie seemed to have eyes behind her head, always knowing what they were up to, and she really listened when they spoke.

  Nick ended up staying a lot longer than he’d originally planned. Jamie had dozens of questions about his trip around the world. It was almost as if she was looking forward to it as much as he was.

  Timmy brought out a map to pinpoint every place he was visiting — from Iguazu Falls in Argentina to the Forbidden City in China — and Michael lugged out an enormous atlas where Jamie helped him look up pictures of all the different places.

  Nick helped with dinner, and they made arroz con pollo. “This is Justin’s signature dish,” she told him.

  “Justin knows how to cook?”

  “We’re all big on cooking in my family. When my relatives visit from New York, we all end up in the kitchen.”

  Nick’s family consisted of Emma, so he didn’t have anything to add there.

  A few hours after dinner, Timmy and Michael had fallen asleep on the couch, and the sun had set behind the treetops out front, but he and Jamie continued to find things to talk and laugh about. “Did you ever think about a little brother or sister for Emma?” Jamie carefully ventured after he’d told her he’d often wished for a kid brother or sister growing up.

  “Susan, my ex-wife, is the one in a stable relationship, and she doesn’t want to put her body through pregnancy again. And me … ” Nick paused. Jamie was watching him with a quiet, thoughtful quality in her eyes, and he knew she’d understand. “I’m too afraid of feeling like things are out my control again. Some people think it has to do with regrets, but it really has nothing to do with that. I feel I owe to Emma to keep things under control.”

  “Well, I don’t agree with ‘some people.’ I can understand not wanting to start over once you’ve regained your sense of balance. I guess it’s different for everyone. I personally would love more children, but that would mean a relationship and that I can’t handle. That would throw everything off balance for me.”

  Nick bit his lip as if to say, yikes, more children! And Jamie laughed.

  He got what she meant, though. He couldn’t fathom what it had been like for her to have been told her young husband, the father of her two little boys, had died.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a family portrait displayed over the fireplace, and he was instantly drawn to Scott Sullivan, wanting to know more about him, about what their life together had been like.

  “That was taken two and a half years ago.” Jamie followed his gaze. “He’d just gotten a promotion, and I was teaching art at a high school. We’d bought the townhouse and for some reason … ” A resigned note crept into her voice “He wanted the portrait displayed just like that, right over the fireplace.”

  “What did he do for a living, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “He was a lawyer. Specifically, he was a junior associate specializing in corporate law at Morgan and Solomon.” Jamie named a well-known Boston law firm.

  He looked like a corporate lawyer, Nick thought. He was dressed in a dark suit and a red tie, and every strand of hair was in place. Nick had to admit he was a good-looking man. But he wasn’t quite smiling.

  “We were one of those classic opposites attract stories.” Jamie stared at the picture quietly, lost in her thoughts while Nick studied her: her long hair tucked behind her ear, her long, tangled lashes, her pout.

  Every time he stole a glance at her, being quiet the way she was, something in his chest tightened.

  Everyone had a part of them they guarded well … a part of them they never let anyone see, and as Jamie’s expression turned more serious and thoughtful, he wondered if she was in that well-guarded place right now. She wasn’t smiling anymore. The thought made him realize he had probably outstayed his welcome.

  Jamie walked him to the door and he looked down at her. She had the prettiest mouth and the most kissable-looking lips he’d seen in a long time. It was just too bad that she was a young mom … from his school … who’d said she wanted more kids.

  “So, Jamie Sullivan, we had a pleasant day. Do you trust me a little bit better now?” he asked, reminding himself of an important reason he’d offered to help.

  “I trust you’re generally as friendly as everyone says you are. It was a pleasant day.”
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  “Generally?”

  “Well, you’re not friendly to Justin. That’s what I mean.”

  He didn’t believe her. “You’re never going to completely let go of that first impression, are you? Why hold on, Jamie?”

  “I’m not holding on! You’re imagining things.”

  He shot her a skeptical look, but she didn’t say anything else. When he caught sight of his toolbox just before he walked out the door, he didn’t say anything. He wasn’t sure why, but he just left it there.

  Chapter Six

  The swing set proved to be invaluable. Jamie’s business had never been so busy, and the boys kept themselves just as busy with their new toy the coming week. By Friday, she was glad she’d carved out time to meet Charlene and Mrs. Kirkpatrick for coffee before picking the kids up from school.

  Jamie strolled up the street toward Cup a’ Joe’s at a slow pace, enjoying both the mellow transition between summer and fall and the charming city views. Iconic white steeples rose above an eclectic collection of Victorian and Colonial homes, brownstone and brick buildings, and glass and metal high rises.

  She entered the brownstone building that housed Cup a’ Joe’s, pausing to steady the For Sale sign hanging precariously on the door. She looked around for Charlene and Mrs. Kirkpatrick and saw that the place was in serious need of a makeover. The red-and-white color scheme was outdated, and it lacked the cozy environment most coffee houses had.

  “Jamie, over here!” Charlene called. She and Mrs. Kirkpatrick were sitting in a booth, listening to a man sitting in front of them.

  “Jamie, this is Alex.” Charlene introduced them.

  “We’ve met.” Jamie pursed her lips.

  Alex raised an eyebrow. “I thought you didn’t have time for coffee.”

  “I usually don’t, but I decided to make time for nice people with manners.”

  “Hey, I didn’t do anything impolite!”

  “What did you do?” Mrs. Kirkpatrick asked Alex in a tone suggesting he was incorrigible.

  “He asked me out in front of Nicholas Grey and Claire.”

  “You asked her out in school? In front of others? How tacky.” Charlene cringed.

  “I only meant to hint at it, but she was so clueless, I couldn’t help it.” Alex scooted over to make room for Jamie.

  She frowned, sighed, and eventually sat down, grumbling. “I wasn’t clueless — I was giving you a chance to save face. And still you asked me out, in front of Nick Grey, of all people. You’re lucky I’m in no mood to hold a grudge today.”

  “Ah, so it’s Nick Grey you were worried about.” Alex grinned knowingly.

  “No — that’s not what I meant. It’s just he and my brother go way back, and I guess that makes Nick feel like he can tease me. I just didn’t appreciate you giving him fodder, that’s all.”

  The server came by to take their orders. “Who’s your brother, dear?” Mrs. Kirkpatrick asked.

  “Justin Viera.”

  “Justin Viera? Oh, he and Nick go back all right.” Mrs. Kirkpatrick chuckled.

  “What’s funny?” Charlene asked.

  “Nothing, just a silly old ice hockey rivalry between my brother and Nick, that’s all.”

  “Right. Silly,” Mrs. Kirkpatrick repeated, raising an eyebrow.

  “So, you’re not part of the Nick Grey fan club?” Alex asked.

  Jamie emphatically shook her head.

  “Well, it wouldn’t matter, anyhow. I think he’s finally serious about someone.” Charlene leaned in conspiratorially. “I heard her name is Celine Bliss and she teaches French at St. Mary’s High School, but I haven’t seen her.”

  “Celine Bliss?” Mrs. Kirkpatrick asked. “I’ve heard that, too, but I don’t believe it. Dylan knows her, and I think she’s just an old friend of Nick’s. Besides, he’s leaving. Why get serious now?”

  “She’s in the middle of divorcing some loaded neurosurgeon down in Boston. Maybe he’s leaving till things calm down.” Charlene shrugged. “I overheard some of the Stepford Wives saying her husband caught her cheatin’, and they were wondering if it was with Nick. I couldn’t take it, I had to interrupt and tell them that couldn’t be right. I can’t picture Nick doing something like that.”

  Mrs. Kirkpatrick nodded. “Nick wouldn’t break up a marriage.”

  Jamie was quiet, remembering she’d seen Nick and Emma with Celine the day she ran into them downtown. Part of her didn’t like listening to gossip. She had a distinct distaste for it. Usually, the people being gossiped about were clueless about it, and she knew that all too well. But part of her relished the normalcy of it. How long had it been since she’d sat around with friends and listened to harmless gossip? They seemed to be clearing up rumors, and they certainly weren’t throwing around accusations.

  “Are we making you uncomfortable? We’ll change the subject.” Charlene was studying Jamie.

  “I was just wondering who Dylan is,” Jamie half lied to change the subject.

  She soon learned Dylan was Mrs. Kirkpatrick’s son, a good friend of Nick’s, and, as it turned out, a friend of her brother’s, too. She also learned that Alex and his ex-wife, Marie, had gotten divorced a few years back, both realizing they were wrong for each other. They shared custody and had a better relationship now than they’d had before.

  Charlene was terrified that she might be pregnant again, Alex was currently in a bit of an existential slump, and Mrs. Kirkpatrick had once been a Stepford Wife … until the day her husband was convicted of fraud and money laundering in a nationally televised savings and loan scandal.

  They were so friendly and open, but Jamie knew better than to share too much.

  When they turned to her, she simply said, “I’m a widowed, charm-making, non-dating single mother of two who’s happy to be back in her hometown. That’s all.”

  “Good enough for now, I guess. We meet like this every Friday, you should join us. It’s a good way to end the monotonous week,” Alex remarked.

  “If your week is monotonous, Alex, you should really do something to change things.” Mrs. Kirkpatrick put her hand over Alex’s in a motherly gesture. “But I agree. I’d love it if Jamie joined us.”

  Jamie promised to try.

  Later, Timmy, Alex’s son Jason, and Michael walked a few steps ahead as Alex and Jamie walked side by side, and compared notes on how their kids were doing. Jamie realized socializing was necessary. Her kids were making friends, and she had to get to know the parents of those friends.

  She kept an eye on the boys as she listened to Alex, but inevitably she noticed Nick, as well. He was standing by the fountain, a few moms surrounding him. His hair was a bit mussed up, as if he’d run his hands through it more than a few times during the day. In the mornings, he looked like he’d just stepped out from the cover of GQ. In the afternoons, he looked more like the Nick she’d spent Saturday with. Both were sexy.

  She’d wanted to tell him he’d left his tools at her house, in case he hadn’t noticed, but he was never alone. He turned to look at her then, his gaze shifting to Alex, and then quickly sweeping back to her face.

  “I’m going to say hi to Nick!” Timmy broke free, and an odd, sinking feeling settled in the pit of Jamie’s stomach.

  “You can say hello on Monday — he’s busy now.” But Timmy was already within the group surrounding Nick, and a few had turned.

  “Hi, Nick,” Timmy shouted.

  “Hi there.”

  “Are you going to come by and play with us again tomorrow? I had a lotta fun with you and Mom last time.”

  “Timmy — ” It was all she could manage. Everyone was quiet as they looked at Nick and Jamie and back again. Alex looked highly amused. Jamie didn’t like being the center of attention like this.

  “Sorry, buddy, but I can’t come over tom
orrow. I’ve got a few things I need to do.” He smiled and rubbed Timmy’s head.

  Jamie swallowed and tried to calm her nerves. Nick was acting natural because it was no big deal. She followed his lead and tried to smile naturally as well, but she suspected the shape of her mouth looked more like there was a stench nearby than a smile.

  “Nick put our swing set up,” Timmy proudly announced to the pre-school kids playing near the fountain.

  Jamie wanted to tell him that while he was making announcements, he should also let everyone know he was up for adoption. But instead, she took his hand in hers and led him away.

  “Is Nick your mom’s boyfriend?” one of the pre-school girls asked, her eyes wide.

  Jamie’s nerves all gathered in her stomach and sunk it to the ground. “Oh, no. No. He’s not,” she finally spoke up.

  “Caitlin!” the mother’s girl scolded.

  “Mrs. Sullivan and I are just friends. Kind of like you and Keith.” Nick turned to the little girl. “I first met her when she was eight, and I’ve known her family my whole life. Her brother wasn’t able to help her put a swing set up last Saturday, so I filled in for him. I’d help your mom in exactly the same way if she needed it, and I’d play with you for a while afterward.”

  “Really?” Caitlin asked.

  “Definitely.”

  “Mom, can we get a swing set?” another child asked, and everyone laughed, breaking the tension.

  A few people asked her where she was from, she told them Autumn Falls, and a few ahs and nods followed as they made the connection. She wished them all a nice weekend, took Timmy firmly by the hand, and led him away.

  “I thought you said your life was pretty boring.” Alex raised both eyebrows.

  Jamie turned and studied his expression. His smile was full of hidden laughter. “It is,” she said, still reeling.

  “Well, that back there wasn’t boring, it was pretty entertaining — you should’ve seen your face.” Alex chuckled and got into his car. Jamie climbed into hers and blasted the air conditioner. It hadn’t been a big deal. No big deal, Jamie. She had to stop anticipating disasters. Nevertheless, she was ecstatic that the school week was over.