by Jan Moran
After breakfast at a local café, they walked around Albert Park lake.
“I often run around the lake on days like this,” he said, holding her hand as they made their way around the pathway.
“I can understand, it’s beautiful here. Everyone else seems to have the same idea.” She gestured toward the number of walkers and joggers out in the sunshine. “I couldn’t run after that massive breakfast.” She smiled at him.
After completing the five kilometre circuit they decided to head to the South Melbourne market but were interrupted by a fit, healthy-looking gentleman who looked to be in his sixties. “Excuse me, we need an extra couple for our croquet tournament, would you care to join us?”
Lily and Diego exchanged a smile.
“Why not?” Lily said. “But we don’t know how to play.”
“Even better,” the man replied, giving her a wink. “We’re very competitive.”
The man, who introduced himself as Richard, introduced them to the three other couples. They were the fourth. Hands were shaken and warm smiles exchanged before Richard explained, “Croquet can be played with two or four players. Our rules have two games with each team playing.”
“Is there a prize for the winner?” Diego enquired.
“No. The losing couple has to feed the others.” He chuckled. “Doris and I lost last week so we’ve prepared this week’s afternoon tea. The losers from this week feed us next week.”
“I like the sound of that.” Diego patted his flat belly.
“We play Aussie croquet.” Richard gave them a quick rundown of hitting the ball through a course of six hoops. Then there was a detailed explanation of the dos/don’ts of the game.
“Who knew croquet was so complex? I thought this was going to be fun.” Lily sighed.
“This is fun. But I have a feeling they’re hoping we’ll lose and do the catering next week.” He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “I learnt to play at school. Let’s go win.” He grabbed a mallet and walked with confidence to where the others were.
The afternoon passed in a haze of shared laughter and practised hits over the smooth green grass.
Lily hit the ball and it went nowhere near where she intended it to go. “Looks like I better start working out what to bake.”
Despite Diego’s good shots, they lost.
Richard came to clap her on the back. “Good job. And don’t worry about next week. The couple who missed out will have to organise the afternoon tea. Now I hope you two will stay. Doris makes the best scones.” He patted his belly. “I’m lucky to have a wife who cooks so well,” he said with a grin. “Come and sit down.” Richard directed them to a shady picnic spot.
Half an hour later, Lily and Diego walked hand in hand to his apartment.
“Sorry I let the team down,” Lily said.
“You did a good job today, for a novice,” he clarified. “I can’t remember having fun like this for a long time.” He lifted her hand to kiss the knuckles. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. It was fun even though everyone was old enough to be my parents.”
He stopped to look at her. “This is what I want. I want to play games with my children, be outdoors with them.”
Despite the sunshine she shivered. “Do you want me to leave, give you space to find the perfect wife?”
“Don’t be like that, Lily. I really like being with you and I thought you liked being with me. I’m yours till you leave.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “You told me you wanted us to be short term, a fling or whatever you want to call it.”
He was right, again. This is what she wanted. A great guy to be with, without any worries of commitment. Her heart sank at the realisation. Soon Diego would be dating women who he wanted. It made sense now. Why waste time dating someone who had no intention of getting married? Someone like her. They’d been upfront with each other. Honest. And that was good till she left for overseas.
The idea of getting married filled her with dread. How could she travel and be independent if she married, settled down, had children. She’d become resentful to her husband and children for holding her back and not allowing the opportunity to reach for the stars and attain her dream. Her dream of singing professionally.
Diego was right. She’d got what she wanted and should be happy about it.
Chapter 7
“I know you told me not to buy you anything but you needed a dress,” Diego said, pressing a kiss to her bare shoulder. “You look incredible.”
“This is not a dress, it’s a showstopper!” Lily said, taking another peek of herself in the mirror, still unable to believe the work of art she was wearing. The boning in the gold, strapless dress even gave her cleavage. Bonus!
“Whatever,” he said in a casual manner, more interested in the skin the dress exposed than what she was saying. Using his fingers, he gently pushed her hair to the side and kissed the length of her neck, all the way to her bare shoulder. “Magnífico.”
Her pulse began to race.
“We’d better leave now before I get ideas of peeling the dress off you.”
He handed her the complimenting purse.
“Just so you know, the hidden zipper is here on the side.” She lifted her arm to show him. “You need to undo the hook-and-eye first. I don’t want you ruining this beautiful dress.” She stole another look in the mirror. “I feel as glamorous as a movie star.” She turned to him. “It’s pretty early to be going out, where are we going?”
It was late afternoon on Sunday, the day after the croquet contest. They’d spent the weekend together and she’d been surprised when Diego announced they were going out. She expected they’d stay in, watching a movie before making love.
“This is my surprise for you.” He grinned. “I’ve booked one of my wine bars for you, you’re going to sing. I can’t wait to see you shine, achieve your dream. Your friends and family will be there to support you.” His eyes sparkled with the incorrect assumption that this was what she wanted.
“You didn’t warn me,” she said. “And don’t be smug about having paid a fortune for me.”
“I won’t.” He paused. “But I thought this is what you wanted. An opportunity to showcase your talent. But if you don’t want to, I’ll cancel it. You don’t have to do it.” He brushed his lips against hers. “I’ll give you some time to think.” He walked out, closing the door behind him with a gentle click.
“This will be worse than the auction,” she said carefully, tottering in her new heels along the cobblestone laneway.
He grinned in reply and gripped her hand tightly as they made their way toward the wine bar. Sanchez. The name was discreetly displayed at the entrance and a bouncer stood at the entrance, a clipboard in hand.
“Good evening.” Diego acknowledged with a tilt of his head to the other man, who unclipped the red rope allowing them to pass through.
“Mister Sanchez. They’re expecting you inside.”
Inside the doorway she froze. Her shoes were glued to the floor and her heart hammered so hard she was sure Diego could hear it. “I want to do this, but I’m scared.”
“You can do it,” he said with firm determination. “You have three hours to meet the band and do a warm up.”
Her eyes widened in relief. He’d thought of everything.
They stopped in front of a small stage where three men were chatting, obviously at ease with each other.
“Gents.” He cleared his throat. “This is Lily.”
The musicians turned toward them.
“Lily, these are three of Melbourne’s finest jazz musicians.” Diego gestured toward them.
Diego introduced them and they each stepped forward and shook her hand. Her mind spun, still quite unable to believe she’d be performing with them. She knew them and a moment of panic gripped her as she wondered if she’d be good enough.
Brushing her ear with his lips, he whispered, “You’ll be great.”
How did he know she needed that support? She di
dn’t care. What she did care about was that she stood straighter in her heels and felt a burst of energy shoot through her.
Aged somewhere in their fifties, the men were all dressed in black. They and the darkened room only heightened how self-conscious she was in her dazzling, gold dress.
The pianist chirped up. “We’ll do two sets, with a break in between.”
He handed her a foolscap piece of paper with a list of song titles. Recognising many, her heartbeat quickened in anticipation of singing some of her favourite songs.
“Choose six songs to start with,” the pianist instructed. “Tell us if you want to sing it soulful or upbeat and we’ll go from there.”
She’d forgotten Diego was there till he let go of her hand. She suddenly missed the comforting warmth.
“Go and have fun,” he whispered. He pressed a hot, lingering kiss to her cheek. “You’ll do great.”
Up on stage the spotlight bore down on her, burning its way to her eye sockets. Walking carefully in new heels she expelled her nerves with a long breath. It didn’t help.
The blinding light did have a positive effect as it ensured she couldn’t see many of the guests sitting around the small tables. Plastering a smile on her face, Lily stood in front of the microphone.
With the band’s encouragement and support she was prepared and ready to sing. She could do this, she reassured herself, not looking at the size of the audience.
The pianist made the introductions before she gripped the microphone with both hands and said, “Thanks. It’s great to be singing with such talent.” She turned toward each of the musicians and gave them and acknowledging smile.
The pianist gave her an encouraging smile before playing an intro and within seconds the two other members had joined in. She could hear the catcalls and wolf whistles from her brothers but she kept her attention steady and focussed on the Sinatra favourite she was about to belt out.
Three. Two. One.
Show time.
Diego lifted his wine glass, savouring the rich plum and berry fruit flavours, perfectly completed by soft tannins of the Shiraz, before silently congratulating himself. He’d done it. Lily was on stage singing in front of a welcoming crowd, performing as if she did this every night.
The lighting bounced off her dress, creating sparkling stars around the dark walls of the wine bar. Her voice was a delight to listen to, clear focussed.
He took a moment for his gaze to feast on her delectable figure encased in gold as she finished yet another song.
“Lily is amazing. I had no idea she could sing like that,” Camilla said as Eduardo nodded in agreement. “I love those old tunes.” Camilla sighed. “Don’t you?”
Diego was about to agree when he realised the question was aimed at Eduardo, not him.
Eduardo murmured a reply before Camilla playfully punched his arm. “Eduardo, you’re the best friend I could ever have,” she exclaimed as she leaned over and gave him a sisterly kiss on the cheek.
Diego watched the display of affection between the two. They’d been friends since they were babies and dancing partners for years. For such a smart young woman, Camilla was daft at relationships especially when she couldn’t see Eduardo’s love for her.
Watching the two of them was a spectator sport that Diego often found amusing.
But not tonight.
If Eduardo didn’t confess his feelings soon, Diego was going to make him do it. He was protective of his younger sister, only wanting the best for her. He made a mental note to speak with Eduardo later. Enough was enough.
“What you did tonight was so sweet.” Camilla’s voice broke his thoughts.
Sweet? “Sweet?” Diego’s head turned slightly and he shot his sister a dark look.
“Don’t give me that look. You’re a softie underneath all that business acumen.”
He shook his head. “I’m not sweet.” He spat out the word as if his sister had accused him of a heinous crime. “I won this performance at the celebrity auction, you know that.”
“You’re such a first-born,” Camilla said with a dismissive wave of her hand. Turning to Eduardo she said, “Did you know Diego organised this in three days?” Her arm swung out to emphasis her point.
“Your wine bar turned out to be an excellent venue for Lily’s debut performance,” Eduardo said. “How did you organise the musicians?”
His sister answered on his behalf, making him scowl. “You know what he’s like. He always gets what he wants.” Camilla laughed at her own quip.
Diego threw her a glare. “First, don’t answer my questions and second, don’t talk about me when I’m sitting here.”
Camilla laughed. “Whatever.”
Lily finished the song and they all clapped.
His sister elbowed him in the ribs. “You’re like a lovestruck teen with your tongue hanging out.”
Diego looked at her through narrowed eyes. “My tongue is not hanging out.”
Camilla replied by poking her tongue at him. She leaned forward. “I see the two of you, you’re good together. But the way you look at her—”
“That’s none of your business,” he snapped. He didn’t need his sister and her babble.
Camilla turned her back to her brother and spoke to Eduardo. “I think Lily and I will get on great as sisters although Mama was hoping he’d marry Candela, your sister’s friend.”
Eduardo shot Diego a grin that he did not return.
Diego clenched his fist and felt his knuckles crack. “Can you stop gossiping? I’m not marrying Lily. Where do you get these ideas?”
“From you.” Camilla chirped back. “I’ve seen how you look at her. You bid for her at the auction and now look what you did.” Her arm swept around, indicating the room. “Not only did you hire out your own wine bar, but you made sure her friends and family would be here.” She paused. “Only someone in love would do that,” she said in a low but all-knowing voice.
In love?
Diego felt an arrow of angst shoot through his lungs, puncturing and deflating them. “You’re wrong.”
Camilla leaned back into her seat and crossed her arms across her chest. “No I’m not,” she replied, a smug smile firmly in place across her lips.
I’m not in love.
This is not love.
The room that had been comforting and cosy now felt claustrophobic. Diego took a gulp of wine, the blackberry-coloured liquid burning its way to his belly.
Ridiculous.
“This is not love. Do I need to spell it out for you?” he fired back at his sister. “I’m helping her. It’s what I do.” Without taking a breath he said, “Who cancelled an important meeting to assist your class when Eduardo was sick?”
“You did.”
The playful look that had recently adorned her face was now gone and Camilla chewed her lip.
“Why did we move to Australia?”
“Because Uncle Ignatio needed us.” She blinked rapidly. “Are you angry at Papa? I thought you were happy here?”
“I’m not angry about moving here, but I’m showing you how our family works. It’s in our blood.”
Camilla fiddled with her drink. “Sorry, I thought you really liked her. You seem like a good match.”
Diego scoffed at her romantic dreams, they matched Lily’s.
He and Lily were sensational in bed. But unlike her, he wanted to settle down and start a family. Lily didn’t want that. Her newly created independence and career were important to her. He respected that. But he certainly wasn’t going to tell his sister that.
He and Lily weren’t alike. Sure they liked the same kind of movies. Last night he’d been happy when she’d selected a political thriller for them to watch. They exercised together, either walking or jogging. He dismissed that with a pfft. He was sure when he started dating he’d find other women who he shared common interests with.
His gaze returned to the stage and he watched Lily belt out a popular 1940s big band tune. She really was sensational.
Could it be he was developing feelings for her?
A taut nerve quivered in his forehead and rubbed the annoyance away. They’d only been together just over one week. Too soon for feelings to have developed. His mind wandered back eight years when he’d been younger and foolish, falling hard and fast for a woman. The sour memories turned his stomach to lead. He hadn’t thought about Laura and her lies for years. Running his finger around his throat, he was surprised to find the top two buttons were undone. He stood abruptly. The chair he’d been sitting on fell backward to the floor, which he ignored.
He drained the remainder of his wine in two large gulps. “Lily and I are seeing each other till she goes overseas. Keep your romantic dreams to yourself.”
He didn’t wait for her reply but stalked off toward the exit as though the spirits from Hades were chasing him.
Chapter 8
Had truer words ever been written? Had the popular song “Swinging on a Star” been written for her? It certainly felt like it as the comical lyrics resonated with her.
The song spoke to her, told her to stop making excuses and take responsibility. She could do it. She could swing on a star if she wanted.
What a night.
Performing had been akin to having a bolt of electricity pumped through her. Never more had she wanted to jump into the air and throw her arms up high.
Initial nerves had melted away as she’d focussed on each song. Forgetting the crowd, the band had been incredible, encouraging as they worked their way through the selection of songs. The second set couldn’t have come quick enough. The urge to sing more had gripped her hard and she hadn’t wanted to leave the stage.
Singing tonight had changed her life.
Not only performing in front of a crowd, but her perspective had changed. Amazing how a single event could make her see things from an opposing perspective.
And it was all thanks to Diego. How much had he done for her? It was almost overwhelming. An urgent need to see him and thank him pressed heavily against her.