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

by Zante, Lily

  “Oh!” Kay yelped, as if she’d been hit over the head. “Did you ever find out who your mysterious admirer was?”

  “Huh?”

  “The gift basket? Who sent it?”

  “Work people.” Savannah lowered her voice and looked over her shoulder to check if Jacob was listening.

  “Uh-huh.” Kay seemed to be giving her response careful consideration. “Your work people?” Kay questioned. “Is that a collective ‘people’ or someone in particular?”

  Savannah didn’t want to elaborate because she knew how vivid Kay’s imagination could be. The less her cousin knew about Tobias Stone, the better.

  “Oh, the department got together, you know,” replied Savannah breezily, curling a lock of hair around her finger. “They wanted to say ‘Thank you’ for my efforts.” Technically this wasn’t a total lie. Stone Enterprises was a collective.

  Yet Tobias’ face flashed into her mind and along with it memories of how he had grabbed her hand. She couldn’t easily forget the tortured look on his face. She had thought about it for days afterwards—about the grief that had hardened him. She didn’t know what he had been like before but she had studied the photos of him with his wife and there was none of that hardness about him then. He must have loved her completely, to not ever have gotten over her death. “They’re a nice bunch,” she murmured.

  “Hmmm.” Was Kay’s response. She doubted whether her cousin would have believed her even if it had been true. Kay often embellished stories by adding romantic overtones to them. “I’m there until the end of January,” she said, hoping to fill the gap and prevent Kay from asking more questions. “But I might have a chance to start another contract elsewhere.”

  “That’s great news, Sav. Things are looking up for you and about time, too.”

  “Thanks. How’s it working out for you over there?”

  “Hong Kong is crazy. They work ridiculously long hours here. I thought New York was bad but it’s worse over here. To be honest with you, I can’t wait to get back.”

  “Are you still coming back in the summer?”

  “It’s looking that way. I wish it were sooner.”

  Savannah wrapped her arm around her body, not so much because she was cold but because news of Kay’s return always made her anxious. She loved her cousin, but Kay’s return to New York meant that she and Jacob would have to leave and find a place of their own. If she couldn’t stay here, near the city, she would have to move out further to the suburbs or, if she didn’t get her finances in order by then, she’d have to return home to her parents. That would be the last resort and the worst case scenario because returning to her small home-town in North Carolina would mean she’d failed on an epic scale. Her ex-husband still lived there and she didn’t want to be within a ten-mile radius of that man ever again.

  “It’ll be nice to see you,” murmured Savannah, hoping her life would be sorted by then. “Are you home alone tonight?” It sounded uncharacteristically quiet, for a change, at Kay’s end.

  “I’m home alone,” she giggled. “I need a rest!” Savannah didn’t want to ask her what she needed a rest from, but she had a good enough idea. She turned around to see Jacob staring at her laptop screen.

  “You get some of that much needed rest. Jacob and I are going to wait up for the New Year to roll in.”

  “Have a good one and give Jacob a big kiss from me.”

  Savannah hung up. “Aunty Kay says to give you a big kiss.”

  “His wife died,” said Jacob, his voice flat. She walked over to the coffee table and took the laptop from him.

  Damn it. She’d left it on Tobias’ page.

  “Is it true, Mommy?”

  Savannah sat down on the couch and pulled Jacob onto her knees. “Yes, Honey. Mr. Stone’s wife died a few years ago.”

  “How?”

  “She…she died in a car accident.”

  “Did he have any children?”

  “No, Honey.”

  “So he’s all alone?”

  “Uh—no, he has friends, Jacob. And family, I imagine.”

  “But he always looks so sad.”

  “You think he looks sad?” Tobias Stone had a stern, unsmiling face most of the time, and she could imagine he was the same in his dealings with most people but her impression was that he’d shown nothing but kindness with Jacob.

  Jacob nodded quietly. “He doesn’t smile much. When you smile, your eyes go all shiny and crinkly. When Mr. Stone smiles, his eyes stay the same.”

  “I think he’s still sad, Honey.”

  “I would be sad forever if that happened to you.” His eyes glistened and she hugged him close to her as she inhaled his sweet scent. “It’s not going to happen to me. I won’t ever leave you.”

  “You promise?”

  Her heart ached to see his lower lip tremble. “I promise.” It was an impossible promise to make because what had happened to Tobias’s wife had been out of her hands. But Savannah lived her life with the sole intention that nothing and nobody would ever separate her from her son.

  “How about tomorrow we go ice-skating?” She suggested wanting to make him happy again. Tomorrow would be the perfect day for it. Sure enough, it had the effect she wanted and as quickly as that, Jacob had forgotten the thing that frightened him the most.

  Chapter 3

  ‘Happy New Year’

  It was a text from Naomi, thankfully that was all it said. No whiny, needy questions. Since their last interaction she hadn’t been in touch again until this morning.

  It was about time she got the hint.

  As desperate as he was for sexual release, Tobias no longer wanted her. He could have easily brought home any number of girls from the bar, except the one who continued to elude him. The one who most intrigued him, the one who seemed to have an intense dislike for him—she was the one he couldn’t stop thinking about.

  He stared out of his window at the silver sky and the frost-lined hard surfaces outside. He’d felt the sharp fall in temperature and braced himself. New York winters could be brutal. Yet the sun was struggling to break from behind the hard cover of the sky, hopefully, it would and then it would be the perfect day to be outside, if he dressed warmly. For once, Tobias didn’t want to mope around the house by himself and he didn’t have anyone to visit, not family or friends…or anyone special.

  Work was out of the question. He could go in, but where was the fun in that especially when Savannah Page wouldn’t be around?

  What he needed to do was what all the well-meaning people in his life had been telling him for the longest time. He needed to get out into the world and mix with people. A walk along the Avenue of the Americas, maybe even a stroll along Madison Avenue where, hopefully, the crowds would be sparse.

  It would do him good to get some fresh air. At the very least it might even help him to get a few things clear in his head.

  ~~

  “I can do it, Mommy! Let go! Let go of me!”

  She wasn’t sure how much he’d remember, though skating was like riding a bike, once mastered, it was hard to forget. Still, she seemed hesitant to let go. It had been a while since they had last been; years in fact. But he seemed so sure and so, pushing her fears to the side, she begrudgingly let go of Jacob’s hand. “Stay close to the edge!” She watched as he glided away from her in his military green new coat and red woolen scarf, hat and gloves. Lights glittered around the outdoor skating rink in the Winter Village. Bryant Park was a place that Rosalee had mentioned many times and walking around here today, she was thankful she had come.

  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 b
ut 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 s
pend 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.