by Anne Oliver
After a vigorous game of chase-the-ball, which Emma threw herself into with enthusiasm, Jake suggested they walk back to his place, return Seeker on the way, and he’d drive her home on his way to the club.
They headed towards Bondi. Emma jogged a few steps ahead with Seeker, chasing a white butterfly, her slim figure as watch-worthy as any catwalk model, her ponytail bouncing and swinging in time with her steps.
They’d been lovers just over a week. With a little of the edge gone after those first frenzied encounters he’d expected the attraction to fade somewhat, as it invariably did. It hadn’t. They’d had fun this morning. She’d not fussed over her sea-damp hair and lack of make-up like other women he dated would. Her tracksuit was smeared with paw-prints and covered in fur.
He’d never in a million years considered asking a woman to come out and play ball with a dog in a park on a Sunday morning. With Emma it came naturally.
‘Hope you weren’t worried,’ he said when they reached Mrs G’s front door.
‘Of course not, Jake.’ The white-haired lady turned her smile on Emma. ‘And you found your friend.’
‘Mrs G, I’d like you to meet Emma. Emma, this is Grace Goodman—everyone calls her Mrs G.’
‘Pleased to meet you, Emma. Jake was hoping to run into you.’
Emma smiled up at him, then at Grace. ‘Nice to meet you too. We’ve had a lovely morning.’
‘I don’t how I’d manage without this young man here,’ Mrs G told Emma. ‘He’s taken good care of both of us since my Bernie died. I broke my hip last year, and I can’t get out like I used to.’
‘Afraid I can’t stay,’ he said, with an apology in his grin and handing the leash to Mrs G. ‘Got work.’
Grace shook her head. ‘You work too hard. You and this lovely girl here should be out enjoying yourselves.’
Emma smiled at him. ‘Work comes first.’
He knew Emma understood. She believed it as much as he—something some of his other lovers hadn’t. But he was also working on the playtime her life had been lacking. The idea of convincing Emma to let him take the rest of the day off with her was tempting, but he had to meet the new club owner and go over the books.
They farewelled Mrs G, then picked up his car. He dropped Emma home first. But he lingered over a long hot kiss before letting her go. ‘See you tonight.’
On Tuesday Emma had a rostered day off—and her first luncheon date with Jake.
Since Jake had clients all morning, she was meeting him at his office. His real office, which he shared with two other professionals. In a respectable building in the commercial heart of the city.
She rode the elevator to the fourteenth floor, smoothed the lapel on her black jacket as she stepped into a bright reception area with wide windows and glimpses of the Harbour Bridge between the skyscrapers. A dark-haired woman with exotic eyes that hinted at her Asian heritage greeted her with a professional smile at the desk. So different from the first time she’d met him at his place of work—and in so many ways.
Emma smiled back. ‘I’m Emma Byrne and I’m here to see Jake Carmody.’
‘Oh. Emma, hello.’ Her professional smile widened to friendly interest. ‘I’m Jasmine. Jake told me to expect you. He’s with someone at the moment. Can I get you a coffee or something while you wait?’
‘Thanks, I’m fine.’
‘And thank you for sending in the soaps. They’re a real hit. I’m making a list of people wanting to buy more.’
‘That’s very kind of you.’
‘Are you sure I can’t get you a coffee?’
She shook her head, smiling back. ‘I’ll just admire the view.’
‘It’s not nearly as spectacular as where you’re going for lunch. I booked the table.’ She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. ‘Oh, and I probably wasn’t supposed to tell you that.’
Emma had expected to grab something in the little café downstairs, and was pleasantly surprised. ‘I didn’t hear a thing.’
‘Don’t plan on getting any work done for the rest of the afternoon. I—Excuse me a moment,’ she said when the phone rang. ‘Carmody and Associates.’
Ten minutes later Jasmine was still handling what seemed to be a complex call. Emma glanced at her watch and flicked through another magazine. Maybe they should postpone their lunch for another time. He was obviously busy.
Even as she considered it, she heard a door open and Jake’s voice in the corridor. ‘… Any time—and don’t worry. It’s all going to be fine.’
‘Thank you, Jake,’ a woman’s voice said. ‘For everything.’ Her voice trembled. ‘You’ve given me a chance to start over and I’ll never forget it.’
‘Just put it all out of your mind for now, and concentrate on spending some quality time with Kevin while I get things rolling.’
The woman appeared first, in jeans a size too big on her too-thin frame and a faded black top slipping off one shoulder. Her hair was scooped into a knot on top of her head and she carried a thumb-sucking toddler on her hip.
Familiar … Emma racked her brain, trying to place her as Jake followed close behind. He walked the woman to the elevators on the other side of Reception, squeezed the woman’s bony shoulders as she entered the lift.
Then Emma remembered where she’d seen her. The waitress from the Pink Mango. Cherry.
Obviously a woman like her couldn’t afford to be paying Jake for his professional services, yet he was treating her with the care and respect he’d offer any fee-paying client.
Then he turned and saw her, and his frown cleared and his face lit up. ‘Emma. Sorry to keep you waiting. Unexpected delay. Hang on a sec, I have something for you.’ He disappeared again into his office.
Jasmine, still on the phone, smiled at Emma and rolled her eyes as she spoke to the caller.
Then Jake returned with a fluffy black-and-white stuffed dog. ‘According to the tag, his name’s Fergus.’
‘Oh …’ A warm squishy feeling spread through her body. ‘You got me a dog.’
‘I hope you like stuffed animals.’
‘I did, I do. I guess I never grew up.’ She’d mentioned never having pets and he’d bought her the next best thing. ‘Thank you.’
He jerked a thumb at the busy Jasmine to indicate they were off, then walked Emma to the elevator. It was crowded with office workers headed out for lunch. He flagged down a cab, then they took a short ride to the Centre Point Tower.
She stared up at the famous landmark, as high as the Eiffel Tower. ‘We’re going up there?’
‘I know you hate heights, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy the food,’ he said as they shuffled towards one of the elevators that shot sightseers to the observation deck, the Skywalk and other adventures Emma had never felt the urge to discover. ‘Don’t look till we’re there.’
She slipped her hand in his and looked up at him. ‘Maybe it’s time I did.’ Steeling her stomach muscles for the inevitable drop, she let out a nervous laugh. ‘I might even surprise myself and enjoy it.’
And she didn’t shut her eyes once all the way to the top—which seemed to take for ever. The three-hundred-and-sixty-degree revolving restaurant afforded magnificent views of Botany Bay and as far away as the Blue Mountains. She was so proud of herself she even ventured to the slanted window for a quick dizzying glimpse to the street way below.
Jake’s hand on her shoulder and his ‘Congratulations’ made it even more special. She might never have had the nerve to try if he hadn’t been there to encourage her. But her legs were still shaky as she set Fergus on the edge of the table.
Jake ordered white wine and a shared seafood platter for starters. He’d made the right decision about the venue—seeing the almost shy pleasure in Emma’s eyes when she’d faced her natural fear was worth it.
‘Any other plans for your day off?’ he asked, setting the menu aside.
‘I have an appointment with a potential client at two-thirty.’
‘New client?’ He leaned forwar
d, interested. ‘That’s great, Em. Where?’
‘It’s a new natural products shop in the mall where I work.’
‘So we’ve plenty of time.’ He raised his glass. ‘Cheers.’
‘Cheers.’ She tapped her glass to his.
‘Emma, I’ve been thinking about you getting your products out there. Letting people sample them. Why don’t you ask one of the shops you supply if you can set up a display one Saturday morning or during late-night shopping hours? I’ll give you a hand. You might sound out this place this afternoon, since they’re new, and see if they’re interested.’
The seafood platter arrived and she selected a prawn. ‘That’s an idea.’
‘We’ll need to set up a website first, in case customers ask, and get some business cards printed so they can contact you.’
‘You really think my products are good enough for all that hoopla?’
‘Hoopla?’ Had no one ever encouraged her to aim for the stars? ‘Are you kidding? After that sensual demonstration the other night?’ He pointed the crab claw he was holding her way. ‘You’ll never know if you don’t give it a go. Honey, have a little faith. In yourself and your products.’
‘I’m trying to. I do,’ she corrected, and gave a half-laugh. ‘Force of habit. I’m not used to others sharing my enthusiasm, and I’m still getting accustomed to the different mind-set.’ Setting her palms on the table, she leaned forward with a grin. ‘Of course you have confidence in my products; why wouldn’t you? They’re the best you ever tried, right?’
‘Right.’ He grinned back. ‘We’ll make a start tonight,’ he decided. ‘I’ll come over when you get home and we’ll make plans.’
Emma took another sip of cool fruity wine while she thought about his ideas. She didn’t want to let him—or herself—down, especially when he was so busy. Surely she could try it on her own? Even if she just let him help her with the IT side of things? ‘You’re very generous with your time, Jake. As if you haven’t got enough to do with your practice and winding up the club. Are you sure?’
‘Of course I’m sure. I want to help you any way I can.’
‘Cherry obviously thinks you’re pretty wonderful too.’
He looked slightly stunned. ‘You know Cherry?’
‘I recognised her from the club. I didn’t know she had a child, though. I guess you don’t think of people in that industry as being mums and having otherwise ordinary lives. She looked pretty down …’ She waved a hand. ‘Sorry, it’s none of my business.’
‘Cherry and her kid were evicted from their accommodation a couple of weeks ago. She came to me for help.’
Emma understood that feeling, that desperation, all too well. She’d had to work after school to help pay the bills when her mum had been too depressed to get out of bed for weeks on end. ‘That’s a horrible, gut-wrenching feeling, and even worse with the added responsibility of a child. What about women’s shelters?’
‘Do you have any idea how many homeless people there are in Sydney?’ His expression changed, and his eyes met hers with an understanding she’d not expected. ‘Maybe you do.’
Emma nodded. ‘It wasn’t that desperate with us, but it so easily could have been. So Cherry came to you?’ She remembered the woman’s tremulous and relieved voice outside Jake’s office. Cherry saw the kind of man Emma saw. An approachable man, an honest man, someone she could trust to help her and her child in a time of desperate need. A man who was generous with his time and expertise. ‘It shows how highly she thinks of you.’
But he shook his head as if it was nothing. ‘She needed a place for the night, for herself and Kevin. I told her there was a room at the back of the club she could use until we sorted something out. She’s staying there for the time being.’
‘If anyone can help it’ll be Jake Carmody.’
They didn’t talk for a moment while they sampled more of the delicious food. ‘So … who looks after Kevin when Cherry’s working?’ Emma asked between mouthfuls.
Jake chose a prawn, peeling it carefully while he answered. ‘The girls take shifts. They’re a tight bunch. Protective. Mostly they’re just people trying to make a living the best and sometimes the only way they know how.’
Emma didn’t miss the slightly defensive tone. As if he had a personal interest or understanding. She speared a piece of pickled octopus. ‘So what happens next? Obviously that can’t work for ever.’
‘I’ve bought a place. It needs some work, but I’m using the sale of the club to finance it. Temporary accommodation for people like Cherry to stay until they get themselves on their feet. I’ve asked Cherry if she’ll run it. It’ll get her out of the club scene.’
She took a moment to consider his words before she answered. He seemed so sure—as if he’d thought this through over a long period of time. ‘This is very important to you.’
Jake nodded, selecting another crab claw, snapping it open. Damn right it was. It was the only good thing to come out of his inheritance: an ability to make a change for the better. If he only helped one person it would be worth it.
‘I’ve been around that strip club for a big chunk of my life, Emma. Seeing women and their kids come and go. Seeing their lack of power over their own circumstances, the hopelessness in their eyes. Wanting to do something to break the cycle. That’s why I went into law. I may not have had the world’s best upbringing, but I’ve turned it around, I think.’
He saw her shift closer, elbows on the white tablecloth, her fresh, clean fragrance wafting towards him. ‘I reckon you have,’ she said softly. ‘You should be careful, Jake, a girl could fall hard for a guy like you.’
His head shot up. Her eyes … Maybe, just maybe, there was a hint of those for ever stars in that blue sparkle? He shredded another prawn while his heart tumbled strangely. ‘Not a girl like you, Emma. You’re too smart.’
The little crease dug between her brows as she popped an olive in her mouth. ‘Why not a girl like me?’
Careful. The last thing Emma needed right now was another crack in that heart. ‘We’re both career types, you and me,’ he said, avoiding her gaze. ‘Work hard, play hard.’
But were good times all he really had in common with Emma? He’d never discussed the club or his upbringing or his reasons for his choice of career with anyone. Not even Ryan. Though his mate knew of his father’s business they’d never talked about it. Yet he’d talked about it with Emma. But she didn’t need to know his whole life history.
Shaking the thoughts away, he lifted his glass, drained his wine, then said, ‘Tell me more about this shop you’ve discovered that’s going to help send your new career soaring …’
Emma drove home, her mind abuzz. The new shop was happy for her to promote her products with a display—this coming Friday evening, no less, to coincide with their first week of trading.
Jake was the only one who’d ever shown an interest and inspired her to take the plunge. Jake’s encouragement and support had lifted her spirits and caught her enthusiasm. With his help she might just be able to make it work. Correction: she would make it work.
With his help so many people were better off, she thought. She thought too, how he’d chosen a career so he could help people like Cherry—the girls and their plights had made a lasting impression on him.
Because he’d grown up around the strip club. For how long? she wondered. Had his mother been a stripper? How long had it been since he’d seen her? She remembered the fleeting expression in his eyes when he’d spoken of her, just once, on the night of the hens’ party—at odds with the casual indifference in his voice.
She hadn’t let herself become interested in his past because what they had was based around the present. But now she simply couldn’t ignore it. His past had shaped him into the man he was. He might be fun-loving, casual and outgoing but there were shadows there too.
She switched direction and headed for his place. There was so much more she wanted to know.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
EMMA pressed the intercom on the wall outside Jake’s home. ‘It’s me,’ she said, when he answered. ‘Let me in.’
The gate slid open and by the time she’d reached the door Jake was waiting for her, naked but for a towel low around his hips. ‘I thought we arranged to meet at your place, but if you’ve come to share my shower …’ His sexy grin faded when he realised she wasn’t smiling back. ‘Something wrong? Didn’t it work out with the new clients?’
‘No, no, nothing like that. It went well, really well, and I’ll tell you about it later. But …’ She waved a hand. ‘Can we talk?’
He gestured her inside. ‘Let’s go to the living room.’
She followed him, then went to the window and looked out at the sea while she took a calming breath. She didn’t know how it was going to go. Whether he’d resent her for what he might see as an intrusion on his privacy. But this was too important to ignore.
‘I’ve been thinking about what you said this afternoon,’ she said slowly. ‘About Cherry and the place you’ve bought. How important it is to you.’
‘It is, yes. Is that a problem for you?’
‘Of course not.’ She turned to face him. ‘But why buy a place? Why be personally involved? Why not give to a homeless charity instead? Why is it so important?’
Jake listened to her rapid-fire questions while he dragged in a slow, slow breath. Having Emma come into his life was one of the most life-changing events he’d ever experienced. To his surprise, he discovered he wanted to answer them, to have her listen and understand. His only concern was if once he started he might not be able to stop.
He crossed the room, gripped her shoulders loosely and steered her towards the couch. ‘Sit down.’ He sat down beside her, fisted his hands on his thighs. Took another breath. ‘I lived there, Emma. The back of that strip club was home sweet home. So I know first-hand what it’s like to be powerless.’
‘Oh … Jake.’ She lifted a hand, thought better of it and drew it back. ‘How long?’
He shifted a shoulder, always uncomfortable with sympathy. But that wasn’t what she was offering. Just support and a willingness to listen with an open mind. He’d never realised he’d needed it until now.