Always There

by Tiara Inserto

“And Valentine’s Day?”

  “Mitch!” Liana laughed.

  “You are booked at least six months ahead. I’m not leaving anything to chance.”

  Mitch wasn’t exaggerating.

  Unlike in his previous relationships, where he would usually have the far busier schedule, Mitch found himself trying to fit into Liana’s calendar. The club rugby season was to start in less than two months; he knew he’d be out of the country several times over the next six months for inter-club fixtures. But Liana’s schedule for the next eighteen months was chock-full of work-related meetings throughout New Zealand, Europe, South America, and Asia, never mind her continual commitments to the media, sponsors, and charity events.

  He shook his head as he scrolled through her online calendar. Busy woman, important woman—my woman. He smiled at himself for the Neanderthal-like statement. He couldn’t help it. He had never felt possessive about anyone before. Mitch paused when he reached June. His smile grew wider when he saw an entry.

  “And the End of Winter Ball? You’re my date this year.”

  * * *

  All too soon, tearful goodbyes were said at the Boyd Mansion, with promises to visit elicited from everyone. Posey refused to let go of Liana’s legs. While Veronica tried to bribe her daughter, Steve took Mitch aside. But before Steve could say anything, Mitch said, “I won’t hurt her.”

  Steve’s eyes narrowed. He crossed his arms as he looked over Mitch. “I guess Mark and Guy have already had a talk with you.”

  “That they have.” He looked Steve squarely in the eyes, meaning every word he was to say next. “She means the world to me. I love her.”

  The statement silenced the usually vocal Scot. He could only nod as the two men shook hands one last time before the entire Boyd family waved goodbye.

  Mitch and Liana said their own goodbyes in a quiet corner of the VIP lounge at Los Angeles International Airport.

  “Aww, baby girl, no tears, or I’ll start crying,” Mitch whispered, enclosing her in his massive arms.

  “I’m not crying.” She rubbed her tears on Mitch’s shirt. He kissed the top of her head.

  “Let me know as soon as you land, eh?”

  “You’ll still be up in the air, Mitch.”

  “Don’t care. I want to know,” he said. He urged her head up with his finger and stared into her eyes. “I love you, and I’ll be thinking of you every moment until I see you.”

  “I love you, too, Mitch.”

  They shared gentle kisses, interrupted with hushed promises to call each other often. When the final boarding call for her flight came, Liana gave Mitch one last hug, pulled a bag over her shoulder and left for the gate. As Mitch watched her merge into the crowd, her absence hit him. But he embraced it. He was glad it hurt to see her leave.

  It meant this was real.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Mark picked up Liana went she landed in London. He was headed to Exeter to spend the next few weeks with Natasha and had offered to time his trip to coincide with Liana’s return.

  As they drove, Liana couldn’t help but compare this trip with her last one down to Exeter. How much had changed in such a short time?

  Liana sensed that Mark was curious, but he didn’t ask anything about Mitch. Instead, he plied her with questions about the trip itself, her time with the Boyds, and the football. She studied Mark’s famous profile. She could still see the face of the teenager she had known. He’d been such a loyal friend over the years. He was never too busy to answer her phone calls. He always remembered birthdays; not just hers but her grandparents as well. They never went a month without talking to each other.

  “Ask me.”

  Mark looked at her quickly before returning his eyes to the road. “About what? Mitch? I don’t need to know anything.”

  “You want to know.”

  “No. Moira wants to know; Natasha wants to know. But they already know. They’ve been talking to Veronica.”

  Liana laughed. Mark grinned. “You can’t blame them, Liana,” he said. “They’ve been waiting for you to have a real boyfriend for years.”

  Liana shook her head and watched the passing scenery. Clouds were forming overhead. Another storm was headed their way. “This shouldn’t be a big deal.”

  “He told Steve he loves you.”

  Liana turned her head away from the window. “What?”

  “Yes. According to Veronica, those were his last words to Steve. That he loves you. So, Liana Murphy, I beg to differ, but I think this is a very big deal.”

  She felt giddy. Yes, they had shared their feelings for each other, but she hadn’t expected Mitch to say something to anyone else, let alone to a man he barely knew. She couldn’t help it; it made her strangely happy to hear how willing he was to be open about their relationship.

  “I guess I do have a question for you then. How do you feel about him?” Mark asked.

  “I love him. As crazy as it sounds, I do. I didn’t think I could fall in love so quickly. Is it even possible?”

  “It’s possible. I fell in love with Natasha a week after meeting her. I just did. Illogical but that’s the truth,” Mark said. “Falling in love is easy. Loving someone is easy. Keeping the relationship going, now that’s the hard part. Nat and I work at it all the time. You two will not have the easy road to Happily Ever After, you know.”

  “Aren’t you being a bit cynical?”

  “You’re the one who approaches every relationship with a plan. I’m the more romantic one between the two of us! But it’s true; I learned that from my first marriage. I really loved Isabel. You know I did. But it wasn’t enough.”

  She heard the pain in his tone, so subtle that most people would have missed it. But she was there when the marriage fell apart. Mark took years to recover from the divorce.

  “Do you think we’re doomed?” she asked.

  “Don’t be daft. I’m just saying, if he’s important to you, then you have to make your relationship a priority. And that’s going to be tough for you.”

  “That’s a bit rough.”

  “It’s not. First, you’re used to being in control. That’s partially because of who you are and partially because of the work you do. That doesn’t work well in any relationship, and I can’t see the likes of Mitch Molloy letting you dictate anything. Second, you and I work in industries that can suck our souls dry. You’ve seen it; I’ve seen it. It’s not pretty.”

  “I think it’s hard to keep any relationship going regardless of what kind of jobs we have.”

  Mark glanced at Liana again. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to come across so negative. I still don’t know if Mitch and I will be friends, but he’s a good man. And if he makes you happy, then that’s all I need to know.”

  Mark’s words stayed with Liana. If anything, her schedule only served to reinforce what he had said. After Exeter, she drove to the Midlands to watch Jerome play. Next, she went to France to check on one of her midfielders. From Paris, she caught a flight to Athens to explore possible practice matches with the Greeks.

  She spent more time on the phone with Phil than she did with Mitch, a fact she was only too aware of.

  Liana spoke to Mitch daily, but, sometimes, because of the time difference or their separate work commitments, they had no more than a few minutes. Liana reminded herself that even when she was back in New Zealand, she and Mitch would be living in two different cities. She wouldn’t see him every day. Theirs would be like many long-distance relationships, lots of phone calls and quick visits.

  This would be their “normal.”

  It was midnight in Athens when she reached Mitch. Liana twirled the cord of the hotel phone around her fingers as Mitch recounted his day. She looked out the window. After a rainy day, the clouds had cleared, giving her a view of a starry night and a crescent moon. “Are you still seeing your parents tonight?”

  “Yes.” He paused. “I’m going to tell them about us.”

  “Nervous?”

  “I’m excited,
Liana.”

  “I look forward to meeting them.”

  “I can’t wait for you to meet them as well. You’ll see that Felicity is just the odd one out.”

  Liana laughed.

  “I’m glad to hear that sound. You sound tired. It’s been a long day, hasn’t it?”

  “Yes. It’s been a long trip. I’m looking forward to seeing you again.”

  “One more week,” Mitch said. “Then I’ll pick you up from the airport.”

  “Actually...”

  “Don’t tell me you’ve had to change your schedule. I’m seeing you next week in Christchurch, or, I swear, Liana, I’m getting on the next plane to see you, wherever in the world you are,” he promised.

  “When did you get so dramatic?”

  “I’m ready to have you in my arms and in my bed again, baby girl.”

  A tingling warmth spread through her body at the images his words conjured up. “I’ve managed to catch an earlier flight into Christchurch and thought of spending some time with Cat while you’re in training with Connor. We could meet at their place and go back to your house together.”

  “I don’t mind missing a training session. I want to fetch you.”

  “Your season is coming up. You need those sessions. We can have the rest of the day to ourselves.”

  Mitch couldn’t argue with that. She heard him sigh and felt a lump forming in her throat. Schedules and timetables. They had seemed so appropriate before, but now they felt like an impediment to what she really wanted, and that was to be with Mitch as soon as possible. But she knew she was right.

  “Have you ever missed preseason training before?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

  “No,” Mitch admitted. “But I had a vision of sweeping you up in my arms, daisies in one hand.”

  Liana laughed again. “You’ve done both of those already.”

  “But not at the same time.”

  * * *

  “You can’t be serious,” Felicity exclaimed.

  “Pardon?”

  “Mitch, she’s supposed to be doing great things, things that make history. The last thing she needs to be known as is Mitch Molloy’s girlfriend.”

  This wasn’t exactly the reaction Mitch was expecting, especially from a self-confessed Liana fan. The rest of the family had looked stunned when Mitch told them the news.

  “That’s not fair, Felicity,” his mum said.

  “It’s the truth,” Felicity said. “Look at Cat Dane. She’s a success in her own right. She has published a book about entertaining and does a weekly feature on the morning show. But she’s always introduced as Connor Dane’s wife. It’s as if all the other stuff isn’t as important as that particular title—the wife of a famous rugby player.”

  “You’re exaggerating, Felicity—as always,” Timothy said.

  “Am I? You mark my words. It’s going to be hell for Liana when this makes the news. It’ll all be about ‘what’s Mitch doing these days?’ She’s going to be relegated to his spokesperson.”

  “Well, she seems like a lovely girl. Always comes off so nicely in the interviews. Always with a smile. We hope to meet her soon,” his mum said.

  “How about next week?” Mitch asked. “She flies in on Tuesday and will stay with me until the end of the week. Would you mind if we come by maybe Thursday or Friday? Or would you like to come over for dinner? I’ll cook.”

  Felicity choked on her dessert. “YOU cook? As in you cooking for other people? When did this happen? And we’re not talking throwing meat on the barbecue and tossing everyone bread slices. Any idiot can do that.”

  Mitch leaned forward on the table and stared at his sister. “I... can... cook. And if you’re nice, maybe, just maybe, I’ll invite you and Rick, too.”

  “Well, thank goodness, I don’t have to be nice. We’re leaving for Bora Bora tomorrow. Just for a break.”

  Helen looked at her daughter in her surprise. “When did you decide that? You’re not eloping, are you?”

  “Oh, Mum. No, we’re not eloping. It was a last-minute thing. There was a special travel deal going on, and we jumped on it.”

  But Felicity wasn’t finished with the topic of Liana and Mitch. When the siblings were rinsing the dishes after dinner, Felicity apologized for her initial reaction to his news.

  “She’s great. You know I adore her, though her wanting to go out with you does bring her down a couple of notches with me.”

  “Thanks. I knew I could count on you to keep me humble all these years.”

  Felicity grinned as she searched Mitch’s face. “Look, you’re actually an all-right bloke. I’m proud of you. You’ve worked hard. But I don’t know if you’re ready to be Liana Murphy’s boyfriend, Mitch. All I’m saying is that you better not be the person who holds her back.”

  He frowned. “Why would you think I’d do that?”

  She shrugged and returned her attention to the sink. “Maybe it’s because you’ve never had to be the one in the background. You’ve had all the attention since you were a teenager. Sure, it’s a burden. But I’m not sure if you know how to live without it. I bet it’s addictive.”

  “I’m not addicted to fame if that’s what you’re saying,” he said, partly to Felicity but also to himself.

  “I’ve said all I need to.”

  The ambiguity of her last statement didn’t sit well with Mitch. Nor did he forget her warning to “not to be that bloke.” He wanted Liana to succeed. Of course, he did. He wasn’t blind; he knew exactly what it’d be like to be her boyfriend. Of course, he did.

  * * *

  A week later, over a cup of tea in the Danes’ kitchen, Liana watched Cat’s face as she opened the gift in front of her. Cat had the “pregnancy glow” Liana had seen on Veronica and Moira when they were both expecting, but this was the first time she would wonder if she’d be able to carry a child. She’d lost one of her fallopian tubes and damaged the other in the accident. While doctors hadn’t ruled out the possibility she could have children, it was going to be harder.

  “Wait—is this a Veronica Boyd?” Cat asked, her fingers caressing the “VB” insignia that was almost hidden in the tiny flower pattern sewn into the corner of a cream-colored baby blanket. Cat looked up, confused. “But she doesn’t design for babies.”

  “She does now. You’re holding one of the prototypes for her ‘Little Posies’ line. When I mentioned to her that I wanted to pick up something for your baby while in Los Angeles, she insisted on these for you.”

  Cat pulled out a long-sleeved bodysuit with little sheep imprinted on it. “Liana, this is beautiful.”

  She grinned. “Aren’t they? I couldn’t wait to give these to you. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Mind? I love them!”

  The laughter that suddenly echoed through the house made Liana’s heart skip a beat. Mitch was here. Every fiber in her body was reacting in anticipation of his touch. She schooled her face to feign nonchalance when the men entered the kitchen.

  “Connor! Look what Liana brought from Los Angeles!”

  Mitch was a few steps behind Connor. His eyes caught Liana’s immediately. Without saying a word, he walked determinedly to her. His eyes were dark, intense, and impatient.

  He placed his arms on either side of her body, resting his palms on her chair, effectively imprisoning her. She couldn’t escape his heat, his scent, his presence. He whispered, “I’ve missed you, baby girl.”

  “Me, too.”

  She met his kiss, expecting his lips to unleash a flurry of emotions. She wasn’t disappointed... and yet there was a measure of restraint. They had an audience, and she could sense his control—and his frustration. She was tempted to see how much of a reaction she could elicit from him, but it wouldn’t be fair to tease herself with what she couldn’t have now.

  She sighed as she felt his arms reach around her, eliminating any space between them. She loved this man, and she knew he loved her. Three weeks apart, and he was all she’d been able to think a
bout.

  When their lips parted, they smiled at each other before turning to faced two stunned people. Cat tried to speak, but loud coughs came out instead. Connor started patting his wife on her back, his eyes wide.

  Cat slapped Connor’s hand away and returned her attention to Mitch and Liana. Her head moved from side to side as if she was trying to decide whom she should talk to first. She gave up and screamed at her husband, “Did you see that? Did that really happen? The King of Rugby just kissed the Queen of Football! They are going to be bigger than Posh and Becks!”

  “How long has this been going on?” Connor asked as he leaned on the kitchen counter, grinning. He looked at Mitch. “Well done, mate. I wasn’t sure if you would put aside your feelings for Liana in favor of letting Blake have a go. You can be that nice.”

  Mitch’s thumb stroked Liana’s neck absentmindedly when he spoke. “I’m definitely not that nice. You noticed that I was interested in Liana from the first time we met, but it was only after the Championship that I finally dared to ask her out.”

  “Is that where you were last month? With her? In America?” Cat asked, excitedly. “You did a good job of not being caught in the media. No one knew where you were all this time. We even started a pool with the other players about where you could have gone. Connor picked Tibet.”

  “Hey,” Connor protested. “At least I saw that Mitch had his eye on Liana. For someone who’s been trying to set Mitch up for years, Cat, I’m surprised you didn’t think about these two being together.”

  “It seems obvious now, but, well, you’re each such big stars in your own right,” Cat said. “Is this official? I mean, will you be going out in public? Or do I get to keep this juicy piece of information to myself?”

  Liana laughed. “You two are just as bad as my own friends. No one seems to believe Mitch and I could be together. I’m not sure how to take it.”

  “I think it’s great,” Cat said. “From a personal point of view, I think you both make a lovely couple. From someone who deals with the media, I think this is going to be big news.”

  “We’ll see. Mitch works here; I work in Auckland. We’re both traveling, so the reality is that we may not be seen in public together that often.”