Well, she’d found her new direction… and it was in her old life. But to be honest, it wasn’t until now that any real desire for a man had fully returned too. It was just a pity the man concerned was Adam Kent.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“I thought I’d spend some time with Erin today,” Zac said, as he slid out of bed late the next morning. “But I want you to come with me. We can all spend the day together.”
It was as well she couldn’t, Cassie thought, throwing her legs over the side of the bed. She really didn’t want to see the other two together anyway. “Sorry. I have some stuff to do down at the station this afternoon.”
“Can’t it wait?”
“No, it’s my job.”
He nodded in understanding, then raised an eyebrow. “You’re not going to be jealous, are you?”
“Not if you won’t be,” she quipped as she got to her feet, but her smile felt like it was stretching too tight.
He shot her a wry look. “We’re going round in circles with this, you know.”
She sighed. “Yes, you’re right. Look, you go spend all the time you want with Erin. I really am going to be busy today.” Time was running out, but perhaps it was best they take a breather from each other anyway.
He stared a moment more before starting for the bathroom. “I’ll get dressed then order a cab to take me back to Adam’s.”
“No, I’ll take you. It’s no trouble.”
“That’s okay. I don’t want you going out of your way. A cab will do fine,” he said, and disappeared inside the bathroom, leaving her to wonder if maybe he didn’t want her changing her mind and deciding to go out with him and Erin after all.
Half an hour later he left in a cab. Cassie tended to Mitzy, then gave the apartment a quick tidy up and did a bit of badly needed washing, before heading off to work. Her cell phone rang as she entered the radio station.
“I was just calling to see how you’re doing,” Maggie said as soon as she answered.
Cassie was grateful for a friend like this woman. “I’m fine. Thanks for caring, Maggie.”
“I care a lot about you, honey.” There was a slight pause.
Cassie’s stomach turned downward. “What’s the matter? Please don’t tell me one of the other children --”
“No! Not that at all.” She paused again. “But there are a couple of things I need to discuss with you. I thought I’d let you know that Jamie’s mother, Vicki, lost her job today.”
Cassie’s shoulders unlocked. It was bad news but not the worst. Thank heavens it wasn’t a health crisis with one of the children. “Poor Vicki.” She had gotten to know the other woman quite well during Jamie’s many visits to the hospital for his deformed leg. “Will Jamie still be able to have his surgery?”
“Yes, it’s scheduled for late this afternoon. That’s all covered but it’s afterward I’m worried about. Vicki lives day by day as it is. Being a single mother, I don’t know how she’s going to pay her bills without a job. And if she doesn’t pay her rent, she’s terrified they’ll take Jamie off her.”
Cassie frowned. “Surely not?” She could only imagine the worry Jamie’s mother was going through right now. To have a son who needed a major operation on his leg was stressful enough, but not to be able to take care of him properly would add so much more stress.
“Some of the nurses here are going to help out all we can, but I just thought you’d like to know too.”
“I’m happy to help in any way I can. I might be able to get something going with the radio station. I’ll speak to Leon.”
“Bless you, but… you might not want to after I tell you something else.”
“What?” This didn’t sound good.
“I don’t know for sure, but I heard that a letter was delivered to the hospital today.” She hesitated. “A letter of complaint, Cassie. I’m sorry but it’s about you.”
Her hand tightened around the cell phone. “Complaint?”
“From one of the parents. Apparently someone doesn’t like that you’re talking about sex on your show. They think you could be a… bad influence on the children.”
“Oh my God,” Cassie murmured, a sick feeling swelling up inside her.
“I know, I know. It’s crazy. But the hospital has to take this seriously, especially if it’s coming from a parent.”
Cassie’s head was still reeling. “Did they say which parent?”
“As far as I know it was anonymous, but you know how people are. Some of them are cowards. I prefer a person to stand behind their complaint, rather than hide behind it.”
Cassie swallowed. She did too. “What are they going to do about it?”
“I’m not sure yet. I just thought I’d forewarn you. We both know it’s nonsense. It makes me so mad. You and your show have done a lot for this hospital. You’re even donating all monies from the opening of the new mall this weekend.”
“Yes,” Cassie mumbled, remembering all she’d done to help raise money for the kidney machine, all the time she spent visiting the children. And none of that mattered now if…
“Honey, I have to go to work. I’m so sorry about all this, but I wanted to tell you first. I’m sure they’ll be discussing it, though I’m cynical enough to think that might happen next week after the mall opening. But at least you know about it and can be prepared. I’ll do everything I can to support you. Those kids love having you visit them.”
“Thanks, Maggie. I appreciate everything. And I’ll still see what I can do to help Vicki out. That doesn’t have to concern the hospital.”
“I knew you’d say that,” Maggie said with affection, then ended the call.
Cassie sat there. Oh God. She could understand a parent’s concern – she really could – but surely she wasn’t doing any harm in reading to the children? They were at all times under supervision.
She gulped. Just thinking the word “supervision” made her feel like a criminal. Like she was doing something wrong. Oh God. Why was everything such a bitch at times? She’d just been starting to pick herself up. Now one of the things she cherished most was being swiped out from under her. She wasn’t sure she could bring herself to even tell Zac about it right now. He might think some of this was his fault for coming on her show.
And then she tried to put it into focus. If she was drained, then Jamie’s mother would be feeling much worse right now. Vicki had far bigger problems than she did. She had to remember that.
So why didn’t her self-talk make her feel better?
* * *
Cassie was right, Zac reminded himself in the cab on the way back to Adam’s. Erin could look after herself. Or that’s what he’d told himself last night when he was thinking about Adam and Erin alone here together, and worrying that Adam would take advantage of her. But jealous? Pigs might fly. Cassie wasn’t right about that. He cared for Erin and he didn’t want to see her get hurt, that’s all.
And come to think of it, if anyone should be jealous it should be Cassie. Yet she hadn’t shown any hint of jealousy over him and Erin. She’d only been angry because she’d thought he was going back to Erin and dumping her. For some reason her lack of jealousy didn’t sit well with him. He knew she would have become emotionally involved with him. She’d told him she couldn’t have a physical relationship without an emotional one.
Then why wasn’t she more upset about the thought of him leaving next week? Was she less emotionally involved than she’d expected? If so, he should be happy for her. He should be grateful that if things didn’t work out for them now or in the future, they’d both eventually be able to get on with their lives without too much regret.
So why wasn’t he, was the question in his mind as he let himself into the apartment, glad to see Adam had gone to work today and that Erin appeared none the worse for wear. In fact, a flush came into her cheeks when she saw him, which was kind of satisfying.
Her next words confirmed it. “Oh Zac, I’m glad you came back,” she said, putting the newspaper aside. “I w
as hoping we could go out today. Just the two of us. We’ve barely had any time together.”
He suddenly suspected she was feeling a little lost in a country that was similar to their own, yet different in many ways, some more subtle than others. He’d experienced it himself at times. “Good idea. How about we grab some Maccas for lunch and go wherever the mood takes us. What do you say?”
She relaxed with a smile. “Sounds wonderful. You know how I l.o.v.e McDonalds.”
“Yeah, I remember,” he teased. He headed toward Adam’s bedroom where he’d tossed his suitcases so that Erin could have the spare room to herself. He’d already planned on sleeping on the couch on the nights he didn’t spend at Cassie’s. If there were any nights he wouldn’t spend with Cassie. Time was running short now and he didn’t want to think about lying here on the couch instead of Cassie’s arms.
He stopped at the doorway. “Where’s Adam?”
She blushed and her eyes darted away before coming back again, making him immediately suspicious. “He left not long ago for the office. He had an important meeting he couldn’t avoid,” she chatted, making him even more suspicious. “His sister, Kirsten, is flying in late this afternoon and Adam’s going to take us out to dinner. I wish you could come.”
He let out a silent sigh of relief. At least with Kirsten here, Erin wouldn’t be alone with Adam in the apartment tonight. “I wish I could too, but I’ll be doing the show with Cassie.” He wouldn’t let her down, nor their fans.
“Yeah, I know. That’s what we figured.” Her color had receded now. “You’ve met Kirsten before, haven’t you?”
He nodded. “She visited Sydney a couple of times.” He liked her. “How long is she staying?”
“Just till tomorrow. Adam’s borrowed a foldaway from someone in another apartment, so she’ll be sleeping on that. Then he’s going to drive her home to their parents’ place tomorrow after lunch. He said he’d take me too.”
Zac’s glance sharpened. “He did?”
“Yes,” she said with some enthusiasm that surprised him. “You know, I just bet his mother dotes on him. And I bet his father likes to talk lots of sport. I bet they’re like one of those television families,” she added.
He rolled his eyes. “Life isn’t always like on television, Erin. Real life is warts and all.”
Her face fell, and that surprised him. “So you’re saying they’re not nice?”
He pictured Adam’s family and the wonderful reception they’d always given him. “Actually they’re very nice. You pretty much described them to a tee.”
Her face lit up. “I knew it!”
He considered her, not sure why it mattered. Unless… “Yes, but that doesn’t mean he’ll ever be ready to settle down. He has trouble forming relationships with women, if you haven’t noticed already,” he felt obliged to point out.
“But that’s because --” She stopped and looked uneasy. Then she shrugged. “Maybe he was hurt in the past or something. Maybe that’s why.”
Zac’s lips twisted. “I don’t think having one female saying no to sex is cause for great hurt,” he mocked.
“You just don’t understand him.”
“And you do?” He frowned. Had Adam been trying the sympathy angle with Erin?
She gave a short laugh. “I’m female. I’m supposed to understand men. It’s men that can’t understand women, which is probably why you can’t understand where I’m coming from with this.”
He let himself relax. “I guess it all makes sense in there somewhere,” he drawled. And then he couldn’t stop from being serious again. “Anyway, if it were true Adam was hurt in the past - and I very much doubt that - why has he never said anything to me about it?”
“You both live in different countries. Would you really expect he’d tell you everything?”
“We’re like brothers,” he said, a touch defensively.
“Brothers keep secrets from each other.”
He thought about how Adam was keeping something to himself right now – and that was the fact that he liked Erin. What was the other man up to? More importantly, was it all as innocent as it seemed?
“Yeah, I guess they do,” he finally agreed.
* * *
Zac was surprised at how much he and Erin enjoyed themselves over the next couple of hours. It was like old times. Almost. Well, not quite. He kept thinking about Cassie and what she was doing.
Mid-afternoon they stopped for a cappuccino at an outside café, and while Erin went off to powder her nose Zac called Cassie on his cell phone. He just wanted to hear her voice. At first she sounded fine, but then seemed a little subdued and that worried him. Was this still about him and Erin?
“Okay, what’s the matter, Cassie?”
A pause came down the line. “How did you know I was upset?”
He prepared himself. “I can hear it in your voice.”
She sighed. “I’m worried about one of the children in hospital. Remember Jamie?”
“The kid with attitude? Sure.”
“Yes, that’s him. He’s having surgery this afternoon and now his mother has lost her job.”
“Hell.” He meant it, even as he felt relieved this wasn’t about him being with Erin.
“Unfortunately if Vicki can’t get another job she may not be able to look after Jamie and they may take him off her. She’s a single mother, you see. I’m not sure what I can do yet, except maybe let them stay at my place if necessary. It’ll be a while before I get a buyer anyway.”
Zac was so proud of her. “That sounds so like you, Cassie,” he said softly.
She cleared her throat. “Thanks, Zac.”
He suddenly wanted to be with her, to support her. “Do you want me to come to the station now? I can take Erin back to Adam’s and be there soon.”
“No, you stay with Erin and do the tourist thing.” She sounded like she really meant it. “Leon and I need to figure out some other ways to help Vicki and Jamie anyway.”
That made sense. “So I’ll see you at the station tonight then,” he said.
She paused. “Zac?”
“Yes?”
She paused again. “Thanks for offering to come be with me.”
“You’re very welcome, sweetheart.” He ended the call, pleased, yet he had the feeling she had wanted to say more. He wasn’t sure what but he could imagine Cassie would have her mind on Jamie for quite a while. Perhaps he could assist in some way too. Now there was a thought.
Erin came back. “What’s up?” she said, sliding onto the chair opposite. “You’re frowning.”
He hadn’t realized he was. He explained about Cassie’s visits to see the sick children in hospital, then told her about Jamie.
“That’s horrible news for the boy and his mother.”
“Yes, it is.”
“It’s so nice of Cassie to visit the sick children,” Erin said, her tone filled with new respect.
“That’s because she’s a really nice person.”
“And you love her, right?”
“Erin,” he warned. “Don’t let’s start that again.”
She put up a hand. “Forget I said it.” She pasted on a smile. “Now what will we do for the rest of the day?”
He came to a decision about that. “I hope you don’t mind, but how about I drop you off at Adam’s? He and Kirsten should be there soon. I have something I need to do right now.”
She tilted her head and considered him. “You’re going to the hospital, aren’t you?”
He lifted a brow. “How do you know that?”
She gave a gentle smile. “I know you, Zac. You’ll try and help out. You’re that type of guy.”
Her comment worried him. “Thanks. I should have realized you’d figure out what I was up to.” He signaled the waiter for the bill. “By the way, can you tell Kirsten I’ll see her tomorrow before she leaves? I don’t think I’ll get a chance before the show tonight, and afterward…” He stopped, not wanting to rub Erin’s face in it all.
“You’ll be with Cassie, right?” she said, a hopeless look in her eyes.
“Yes.” He couldn’t sugar coat it. Besides, Adam’s place was getting crowded now and sleeping on the couch would make it worse. Not that going to Cassie’s was second choice. He’d rather be with her than anywhere else.
After that he drove to the hospital. Inside the building, someone pointed him in the right direction, and eventually a nurse directed him and he found Vicki standing at one of the huge windowpanes in the near-empty waiting room.
He walked up behind her. “Hello, Vicki.”
The petite young woman spun around, her eyes flushing with fear. “Is Jamie okay? Did something happen --”
“No, I’m not a doctor,” he said quickly. “I’m Zac Ryan. One of Cassie’s friends.”
“Oh, thank God,” she said with relief, then began to collect herself, a light of recognition turning on in her eyes. “You’re that Aussie on Cassie’s show.”
There was a touch of awe in her voice, but Zac knew that if anyone should be in awe of another person it was him toward her. She looked too young and fragile to be going through such heartache over her son. The kid’s face came to mind. “Yes, that’s me.”
“I love that show,” she enthused a little. “You and Cassie have a great time. You make me laugh.”
He smiled. “Good.” And he meant it. He paused to frame his next words, seeing a slight confusion on her face now. “Vicki, I hope you don’t mind but Cassie told me about you losing your job. I think Jamie’s a great kid and I want to help you both out.” He handed her a check. “This should help get you on your feet again. And once Jamie’s better, a friend of mine might be able to help you find a job too.” Adam would help for sure, if Cassie and Leon didn’t do it first.
Her jaw dropped. “You want to help me and Jamie?”
“Yes.”
She stared for a moment longer. “I’m stunned.” Dragging her eyes downward, she looked at the slip of paper and her eyes widened further. “I can’t possibly take this amount of money,” she whispered. She lifted her head. “Why?”
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