The Offer

by Lily Zante

“Miss Yates already told him off for it.” He seemed not in the slightest bit upset by it.

  “Good,” she said, her lips twisting as she tried to hold back the list of words that seemed fitting to describe that troublesome little brat.

  “But I kicked him when he said it,” he said, proudly.

  “Jacob!”

  “He told Miss Yates I kicked him and she asked me why I done that and I told her. I didn’t think it was a nice word even though I don’t know what it means.”

  “What did Miss Yates say?”

  “She told Henry off and then she told me not to worry and that she was sure Mr. Stone was a nice man.” I bet she did, thought Savannah, remembering the way his teacher’s eyes hadn’t left Tobias’s face.

  Had that come from Henry’s mother? Savannah had underestimated how well known Tobias was and how much attention he seemed to garner. To her he was just Tobias, a man she was involved with, but to everyone else he was obviously a prize catch, especially in a city where status and wealth were so highly prized. Or perhaps it was the domino effect? One person had recognized him and the news had spread through the school like wildfire.

  “What does it mean, Mommy?”

  She got up and sat on another chair. “Come here,” she said, patting her lap for Jacob to come and sit. She put her arms around him and held him, knowing already that in a few years’ time he would be too long and lanky and too big and heavy to hold. She hugged him tighter. “It’s a bad word, not as bad as swear words, but it’s not a nice word, that’s for sure.”

  “But what does it mean?”

  “It means…it means…” She didn’t know how to explain it. “It’s for when a woman is—” she almost said ‘dating’, then stopped herself. “It’s when a woman is friends with a man who has a lot of money, and other people think that the woman only wants to be friends with that man because he is rich.”

  Jacob frowned. “So you are a gold-digger?”

  “Honey, no. Just because I’m friends with Mr. Stone, it doesn’t make me a gold-digger.”

  He looked confused. “But you said—”

  “People say it when they are jealous of other people and when they think someone, usually a woman, is friends with a man only because she wants the man’s money or she wants him to buy her things.”

  “But Mr. Stone gives you those things.”

  “Uh, not exactly. I don’t ask him for money.” The advance for the hospital bill didn’t count. She squeezed her eyes. “And those gifts he gave us, well, that’s because he wanted to and not because I ever asked him to.” She cringed inside, feeling herself sinking into a deeper hole with each passing moment. She tried another way. It was wrong to explain it like this but it was probably closer to the truth. “Maybe Henry’s parents saw us at the Easter egg hunt and at the awards ceremony and they got jealous. Maybe they thought the only reason a man like Mr. Stone would want to be friends with someone like me was because…” Of sex? No. She couldn’t explain it that way either. She tried again. “Some people can’t understand that there are perfectly good reasons why Mr. Stone is our friend and so they think I was being extra nice to him because I wanted things from him. All I want from him, honey, is his friendship. He’s good to us, isn’t he? And he likes being with us? So he gets something from being our friend too.”

  Jacob nodded, but she wasn’t sure she had explained it well. “Take my word for it, Jacob,” she said, frustrated by the turn of events, “Some people in this world are just born mean.”

  “I’m glad I kicked him.”

  “It’s still wrong.” But she was glad nonetheless.

  Chapter 9

  She was forced to push Tobias to the back of her mind when her parents arrived.

  It was wonderful to have them over and it made Savannah realize how much she and Jacob had missed them not being a part of their lives.

  She had prepared a lovely Easter Sunday lunch and sitting around her small dining table with her parents and Jacob, Savannah felt truly blessed. Tobias had filled another need but her parents had always stood by her and supported her in her darkest hours. To have them back in her life again was a wonderful blessing.

  In the days that followed, she gave her parents a whirlwind tour of the city and of the typical visitor attractions. They eventually went to see the top of the Empire State building after a two hour wait and navigating the labyrinth of ropes in the waiting area. They were overcome by sadness and touched and silenced as they visited the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. She watched her father struggle to explain to Jacob what had happened on that day.

  Another time, they took a City tour which showed them around Times Square and Central Park and took them on a ferry ride to see the Statue of Liberty.

  On the third day she took them to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden which Tobias had mentioned. It was the first time she had visited this place and the sight of the Cherry Blossoms and the lakes was one to be admired. The wind carried the cotton candy pink petals like fluttering confetti; it was breathtaking and she decided she would revisit this place with Tobias later on.

  The days she had spent with her family lifted her already happy mood. Life was beautiful, and she was more than fulfilled. Her cheeriness caused her mother to comment as they wandered around the garden, among the pink and white magnolias.

  “You’re looking vibrant, Savannah,” her mother remarked. “Healthier and happier than we’ve seen you look in a long time.”

  “Starting over in a new place has worked out well.”

  “I can see that.” Her mother paused. “Is there more to it?” Her mom’s choice of words made her turn her head sharply as the two of them strolled along. Jacob had rushed on ahead with his scooter and her father kept a watchful eye on him.

  “More?” She tried to affect surprise. “Mom, I have a wonderful job, Jacob loves his school. I don’t have Colt to contend with, and look at this. Isn’t it beautiful? We’ve been spending a lot of our weekends at the park.”

  “So Jacob’s been telling me.”

  She tried to read her mother’s expression. “Oh?”

  “He seems obsessed by a certain Mr. Stone.”

  “Oh.” How could Jacob not talk about Tobias, when they had spent so much time together lately? She said nothing as they continued to walk among the flowerbeds. Further along she saw signs for the Japanese garden. “Dad might want to see the Japanese Garden. Shall we go there next, before we see the rose bushes?”

  “Even when you were a teenager, Savannah, I could always tell when you were hiding something.” She turned to her mother and didn’t miss the wry smile on her mother’s face. “I’m not hiding anything.”

  “It’s the way you suddenly change the subject, to something completely unrelated.”

  “Mom, Mr. Stone is someone from work.”

  “We gathered that.” She wondered what Jacob had told them.

  “He’s nice and he’s kind and he understands that my son is my first priority.” Her mother made an approving noise in her throat. “Your father, you know what he’s like, he worries about you. You’re out here all alone in a big city with a small boy, and trying to work as well as look after him. You don’t even have any family close by.”

  “I have Rosalee.”

  “At least that’s something.”

  “It’s better than being alone. She’s a great help.”

  “I gather she is. Jacob seems very fond of her. But it’s not her we’re worried about.”

  “Why are you worried?” Savannah asked.

  “We don’t want you to make another mistake again.”

  “I’m taking it slow this time.” It wasn’t love at first sight as it had been with Colt.

  “You are seeing him then?”

  “Sort of. We’re in the early stages, Mom.” Her father waved at them from up ahead, and as she had predicted, when he’d come to a fork along the pathway, he signaled in the direction of the Japanese garden. She waved back and gave him the thumbs up.

 
; “Dad wants to see the Japanese Garden,” she said to her mom, hoping and knowing at the same time that it would be impossible to throw her mom off the trail now that she had smelled something.

  “Your father and I were planning on staying for three weeks.”

  Three weeks? She’d assumed it would be two.

  “But we weren’t sure if it might be too much for you both”, her mother continued. “We’ve managed to get the time off but your father told me to run it by you first, to see if you had made other plans.”

  “Other plans?” she laughed. “I don’t have other plans.” Apart from a few nights here and there with Tobias but the more she considered it, the more she liked the idea. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” She asked. Not that it mattered.

  “Your father wasn’t sure if he could stay that long, you know how much he likes being in his own home, and his chest can be prone to acting up if there’s too much pollution. He was worried about the city.”

  “But he’s been okay.”

  “He’s been fine. He’s loved, we’ve loved seeing you both. We miss you so much dear and that’s why we wanted to stay longer, if that’s alright with you.”

  Savannah smiled, happy to know her parents were so keen to stay. “I’d love for you to stay. Jacob would, too.”

  “What about your friend?”

  “Tobias?” Would it open a can of worms if she told her mom that she was actually spending tomorrow with him and not going to work? She couldn’t; not when she hadn’t broken the news to Jacob and she felt that she owed it to tell her son first. “What about him?” she asked. “The length of your stay has nothing to do with him.” Even though it opened up the possibility that she could go away with him.

  “If you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “We don’t want to get in the way.”

  She looked surprised. “You won’t get in the way. This is new for me and I don’t know where it will go.” Even though in her quiet moments late at night she dreamed of a future with him. “Jacob doesn’t even know yet, so please don’t say anything to him.”

  “But Jacob says you’ve been spending a lot of time together.”

  “Tobias hasn’t stayed over.” She let that sink in, hoping to win Brownie points for her good behavior. Her mother looked mildly relieved.

  “You’re being very careful, dear. I suppose you have to think about Jacob. I’m sure this will put your Father’s mind at rest.”

  “Jacob feels comfortable around Tobias, and that was the most important thing for me.”

  “From what we’ve heard, he dotes on the man.”

  “Tobias is good with him.”

  Her mother looked suitably appeased. “Then I’m thrilled for you, dear,” she replied, hooking her arm into Savannah’s.

  It had been a packed three days and when they returned home later that evening, she sensed that her parents were relieved she was going to work tomorrow. Even if, in reality, she was going to Tobias’s apartment.

  “There’s still the Rockefeller Center, and Central Park Zoo,” she said, handing them the leaflets she’d picked up. A twinge of guilt pricked her conscience for lying to them.

  “We’re not as young as you Ruby Red,” her father cried out, sitting down on the couch and grabbing the TV remote. He looked especially weary as Jacob snuggled beside him. It was clear to her that in her eagerness to show them a good time, she had possibly overdone it.

  Maybe tomorrow they would both get a break. Her parents would get to spend the day as they pleased, with Jacob for company and she would get to spend the whole day with Tobias.

  She’d missed him.

  Chapter 10

  “You, a gold digger?” Tobias shifted his head sharply, as he picked up their empty wine glasses. “Who the fuck said that?”

  “The same child from Jacob’s class; the one Jacob waved at when we were at the Easter egg hunt.” He tried to recollect. That child. The one who’d laughed at Jacob because he had an inhaler?

  “He’s not a pleasant child at all,” Savannah added, walking into the kitchen. Tobias placed the glasses on the countertop, his face stern and his hands now resting on his hips.

  “That spoiled little shit.” Tobias’s insides burned.

  Savannah stared up at him, as she opened the dishwasher door to load it. “Why’re you so mad?”

  “I didn’t know kids could be so nasty. How did Jacob take it?”

  “Much better than you.”

  “Can you stop that, please, for one moment.” This kind of cruelty reminded him of his own school days. “You don’t have to clean up after us, Savannah. My housekeeper comes every morning.”

  “I’m not used to leaving the kitchen a mess.”

  “I pay her to clean it up.”

  “Can I just tidy it up a little?”

  “You want to tidy up for the housekeeper?” He rubbed his eyes. “Please? It’s something you’re going to have to get used to. I’d rather spend time talking with you than wasting it doing these things.” He closed the door to the dishwasher. “It’s unacceptable,” he said, folding his arms. “I want the school to sort it out.”

  “Sort what out?” She asked, “Some kids are like that and this one seems to have had it in for Jacob from the start.” Tobias narrowed his eyes, wishing he could get his hands on the boy now. It wasn’t right.

  “Do you understand now why Jacob wanted you to come to his awards ceremony? He wanted to show that he had someone like you in his life.”

  “Someone like me?”

  “Like a father figure…I mean. That’s why.” Tobias smiled.

  “I see why,” he said softly. “I’m glad that boy saw us all together.” It made sense now that he recalled that day at the Easter egg hunt, when Jacob had grabbed his hand. Tobias rubbed his chin, his brows furrowing.

  “Don’t.” Savannah warned.

  “Don’t what?”

  “Don’t do whatever it is you’re thinking of doing.”

  “I could pick up Jacob from school in Xavier’s Ferrari one day. When does school start again?”

  “Next week.” Savannah shook her head. “I think he’d settle for your Porsche but remember, his gold-digging mother is embarrassed by such obvious displays of wealth.”

  “You’re not like that at all.” He pulled her to his chest and held her, and when she stared up at him he couldn’t help but kiss her. She tasted of red wine. Her hands trailed slowly down his stomach and he couldn’t help but slip his hands over her bottom and kiss her again. “How long did your parents say you could stay out for?” Now that dinner was over…

  “They think I’m at work.” She chewed her lip. “I didn’t mention anything about staying late.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you too old to be sneaking around?” People in the office would have more to talk about now, especially since this was another occasion when both he and Savannah were away from the office. It was news enough that he was working from home, when for the past few years he had been coming into the office and working late every single day unless he was away on business.

  The priorities in his life, and how he spent his time, were slowly shifting. He didn’t care for anyone’s opinions on the matter but understood that things would be different for Savannah. Yet he still wondered how much longer she wanted to keep this charade going on for.

  “My parents know about you, courtesy of your number one fan.”

  Tobias’s eyes shone. “You told them?”

  “Jacob did.”

  “Ah.” Tobias’s heart warmed.

  “My mom thinks we haven’t even had sex.”

  “Why would that even come into the conversation?”

  “Just that, well…I told her you hadn’t stayed over. She was wondering how serious it was.”

  “What did you say?”

  “That we’re in the early stages. I wasn’t ready for the conversation and it kind of caught me by surprise. She asked me because Jacob can’t help bu
t talk about you. They’re worried. It’s only natural, after Colt.”

  “After Colt?”

  She lowered her head. “They weren’t so keen on him towards the end.”

  “Why was that?”

  “For a whole heap of reasons,” she said, trying to wriggle out of his embrace.

  Walk away, again, thought Tobias, letting her go. She walked away and stood leaning against the kitchen island with her arms folded. “So your parents have no idea that you’re sleeping with your boss.” He cocked his head, curling his lips at her and braving a smile, knowing this might set her off.

  But she gave him a cheeky smile instead. “No,” she replied. “Though I’ve been tempted to tell them how you paid me for my favors. Of the presents you enticed me with when I was nothing but a bright-eyed new temp at your firm.”

  “I will be forever grateful that you turned up.”

  “I will be forever grateful for getting the job.”

  “And as a sign of your gratitude, have you decided yet?”

  “Decided what?”

  “Whether you’re going to attend the Gala dinner?” They had started to discuss it this morning but having a whole day together out of the office was such a luxury that it had pushed certain other priorities further up the list. “You told me that your parents are staying for a few weeks so you won’t have to worry about Jacob.”

  “Is it a fancy occasion?”

  He nodded.

  She looked anxious. “I don’t have anything to wear—”

  “Don’t worry about the clothes. I’ll have someone at Saks 5th Avenue take care of you…if you want advice or anything, and don’t worry about the cost.” He didn’t want trivial matters such as that to be the reason she wouldn’t come.

  “If you’re worried about people seeing us, it’s inevitable, Savannah. People have already seen me at Jacob’s school. People at work know that both you and I are away from the office today.”

  She said nothing.

  “Or is it your ex-husband you’re afraid of.” He stared into her eyes looking for the answer. “Because you don’t need to be. ”