Modern Heart: City Love 3 Page 24

  “Thanks for coming,” I said to Christa and Cate. We were still waiting for Maddy.

  “Don’t be silly,” said Cate. “We’ve been so worried since the exhibition the other night. Although I can kind of understand. I spent some time with your mother after you left.”

  I tried not to groan. “Oh Cate, I’m so sorry.”

  She waved a hand at me. “I’m joking. Mostly. She’s not too bad when you get talking to her.” She laughed when she read my worried expression. “I’m in her good books because I made a responsible career choice.”

  “And thank God for that,” interrupted Christa. “Seeing as I make drawings on my computer.”

  We all giggled.

  “I’m so sorry I’m late,” Maddy said, arriving at our table. As a general rule, she detested lateness.

  “Don’t worry about it. Blame me for making it early.” I’d get to the bit about why when I explained my fucked up love life in a moment.

  “I wouldn’t normally be behind, but I pick Ava up from hospital today—”

  “Maddy,” I stopped her. “When?”

  “Later this afternoon. I just had a few last minute things to do.”

  “Then what in the hell are you doing here?” I demanded. “Go home! You should have told me you were busy.”

  Maddy sat down, ignoring me. “Paul’s got it under control. Besides, this is my last breakfast sans child. Let me enjoy it.”

  I couldn’t argue with that, even though I knew she couldn’t wait to take her baby girl home.

  “Alright,” I said, keen to get down to business. “I’ve bought you all coffees. You’re going to need it.”

  Without hesitation, I explained the events of the last twenty-four hours since leaving the exhibition. I didn’t leave anything out. I told them about Bàba’s illness and how I’d walked into my parents’ bedroom to find my self-portrait, “Framed,” hanging on their wall. I told them about what I’d read in the Big Ideas article. I told them about how I’d completely ruined things with John when I’d seen him with his ex-wife.

  “Wow,” Cate breathed, when I was finished. “I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. That’s amazing they bought your painting though.”

  I nodded and took a sip of my coffee. I was still processing events with my parents. I wasn’t sure what the future held. My mother’s craziness aside, I wanted a relationship with my father. Who knew? Maybe my mother and I could forge a truce. I’d never be able to forget my childhood but perhaps it was time to see if I could build something more lasting with them now that I was an adult.

  “Kind of put your foot in it with John about his ex-wife though,” Christa said, interrupting my thoughts.

  “More than my foot,” I agreed. “Face it. I’m useless at dealing with my feelings. I don’t know what came over me. When I saw them together I just snapped.”

  “He’s the first man you’ve ever allowed yourself to have feelings for, so I’d say jealousy is kind of a new experience for you. Am I right?” Christa said gently.

  I sighed. “Yeah, that’s about right.”

  “God, imagine how poor John felt when you were hooking up with other guys,” Cate added.

  I reddened. I’d only seen John hug Elise and I wanted to fly into a jealous rage. “I didn’t know he was in love with me then,” I protested. “Or that I’d fall in love with him.”

  “You’re in love with him?” Cate cried, gripping the edge of the table.

  Oh yeah. I’d kind of glossed over that bit.

  “Yes. Can you believe it?” I complained.

  Cate squealed while Christa grinned at me. “It will get easier,” she promised.

  “It damn well better,” I muttered.

  “Have you told him?” Maddy asked, finally speaking. She’d been sitting quietly watching and listening up until that point.

  “No.” At her firm look, I held up a hand. “Here’s the thing. I was going to tell him the night of the exhibition, but my mother turning up kind of put a stop to that. Anything I say now is going to seem disingenuous, don’t you think? Like I’m only saying it now to get him back.”

  Cate’s coffee sloshed dangerously as she slammed it down on the table. “But he’s got to believe you! He’s in love with you!”

  “Maybe he’s starting to realize that love isn’t always enough,” I said quietly. It wasn’t like I’d ever trusted in love before. John’s ex-wife cheating on him could hardly have given him faith in the strength of love either.

  Maddy reached over and rested a hand on my arm. “Then you tell him in a way that he’ll never forget. Don’t leave any room for doubt.”

  I met her eyes. Her strategic mind was at work again. I felt the first glimmer of hope. “Something dramatic, you mean?”

  She bit her lip thoughtfully and then her face transformed into a satisfied smile. “Something undeniably Scarlett,” she said slowly.

  She was a fucking genius. Of course, she was exactly right. John had made many wonderful supportive gestures while we’d been together. It was my turn to return the favor. Scarlett style, of course.

  I nodded, matching her smile. “Best. Friend. Ever.”

  “Hey!” Cate cried. “What about us?” She was pretending to look upset, but I knew she was only joking.

  “You too. And Bubbles. I’m going to need everyone’s help if that’s OK? Maddy, I understand if—”

  “I’m in.”

  I grinned. “Thanks.” And I meant it. My mind was reeling but an idea was already starting to form. It was completely crazy, but the more I thought about it, the more hopeful I became. John knew what he’d gotten himself into when he’d fallen in love with me. Or at least I hoped he did. Because after the stunt I was going to pull later this morning, he’d never be able to doubt my love.

  Either that, or he’d run screaming.

  Chapter 36

  To my relief, the car park was crowded when we pulled up at the playing fields. I didn’t want John seeing us until I was ready.

  We’d all piled into Christa’s Corolla hatch like a bunch of teenagers. Her car had been the obvious choice though because John wouldn’t recognize it.

  We parked at the far side of the car park, then all got out. The wind whipped across my face with a distinctly icy touch. The weather would definitely test my resolve, but I was up to it. I’d almost drowned trying to prove a point. I could withstand some cold, winter wind.

  “Are you sure about this?” Cate asked, eyeing my black, knee length winter coat.

  “No turning back now,” I replied.

  Cate nodded uncertainly, and I looked past her to the playing fields. “Anyone see John’s team?”

  After a period of silence, Christa pointed to the far side of the field. “Over there.”

  Alright. Time to get this show on the road. “Let’s get the stuff.”

  We all went around to the trunk of the Corolla. Christa opened it and we started shifting the pile of art boards. I’d wanted to use canvases but the art boards were a lot lighter.

  “Oh no. I think some of them have gotten out of order,” Cate said.

  “Don’t worry,” Maddy told her, and turned one of them over. “I’ve numbered them.”

  “Of course she has,” Christa said brightly. She rubbed her hands together in the freezing cold and grinned at me. She was wearing a bright purple beanie that her blonde curls were doing their best to escape from.

  I grinned back, but Maddy must have seen the slight hesitation. She put her hands on my shoulders.

  “You’ll be fine. And no matter what’s happened so far, he loves you. Don’t forget that.” Her warm brown eyes were reassuring. I also read genuine understanding. She and Paul had been through some rough patches before marrying and having Ava.

  “Thanks. Just be ready to help me recover afterwards. Whatever happens.”

  Maddy gave me a firm look.

  “I’ve got the blanket.” Christa held up a large tartan blanket.

  Confident we had everything
I needed, we picked up the art boards. There were so many of them it was easier to split them between us.

  We started the long walk across the field. We were all wearing beanies. We also wore scarves wrapped around our necks to obscure our faces. As well as protecting us from the cold, they were a form of disguise. With our winter jackets, jeans, and boots, we’d hopefully look like all the other spectators. The boards we were carrying were admittedly a bit suspicious, but I couldn’t do anything about that. It was part of the plan.

  “Go Operation John Hart Undying Love!” This was from Cate.

  Christa started humming the Mission Impossible tune, and Cate giggled. I looked over at Maddy and she rolled her eyes. She was smiling though.

  By the time we’d almost reached the edge of John’s field, I was finding it hard to breathe. It wasn’t the stunt that I was about to pull that worried me. I’d done plenty of crazy things in my time. But what if he walked away? What if he –

  “Scarlett?” Maddy asked from beside me, probably smelling my fear.

  “I’m OK,” I said quickly. My mouth was dry and breathing was difficult, but I was doing this.

  We’d positioned ourselves behind a group of spectators so that we weren’t visible from the field.

  “Excuse me?” Christa tapped a lady standing in front of us on the shoulder. “When is half time?”

  The lady did a double take when she saw the four of us all rugged up in our winter gear. It was cold, but it wasn’t that cold.

  She glanced at her watch. “Should be in about five minutes, I think.”

  “Great. Thanks.”

  I caught a glimpse of John as he ran past, thankfully focused on the ball and the other players nearby. The wind was blowing his long black hair away from his face. I could see the hard set of his jaw as he did something fancy with his feet, kicking the ball to one of his teammates. He looked over in our direction when the spectators in front of us cheered.

  “Shit.” I turned my back to them.

  “It’s alright,” Cate whispered. “He’s gone.”

  The next few minutes passed painfully. Then, when the whistle blew for half time, I closed my eyes.

  “Ready?” Christa asked.

  I nodded. It was now or never.

  As the players started to walk across the field in the direction of the sidelines, the four of us marched toward the center of the field. Quickly, praying no one was looking, I dropped the knee length overcoat I was wearing and ditched the beanie. Maddy shoved the stack of art boards in front of me and I grabbed them gratefully. God, there were a lot of them. I sincerely hoped Maddy’s numbering system meant they were in the right order. And it was fucking cold. Cate positioned herself strategically behind me, with Maddy and Christa on my left and right. Thank God for knee length boots, although they didn’t do much to protect against the wind biting at the rest of my naked skin.

  Christa put two fingers in her mouth and let out an ear-piercing whistle. “Hey, John!” she shouted. “Over here.”

  The players and all the spectators turned to look at us. I didn’t care about them. I only saw John. The worry lines between his eyebrows were visible even from a distance.

  “Christa?” he called, and blinked when he saw me standing next to her. He froze.

  Well, at least he wasn’t going anywhere.

  I handed the white art board I was holding in front of myself to Maddy to reveal another one behind it.

  The words I’m Sorry were painted in bold letters on it.

  “Scarlett?”

  “Don’t say anything, John,” Maddy instructed, in a voice that broached no room for argument. “Just watch.”

  The worry lines deepened.

  I handed the board to Christa, so the next words were revealed.

  I’m better with art, than words …

  I revealed a canvas.

  It was the nude portrait of John. Despite the distance, it was obvious it was him, or his back anyway. Dark hair, a broad expanse of shoulders gracefully flowing down to masculine hips above a finely formed pair of buttocks and powerfully built legs.

  Some of his teammates let out a rowdy cheer. He glanced over at them and back to me, his face turning red.

  I carefully passed the canvas to Maddy to reveal another art board with more words.

  The perfect man.

  A few of the women cheered and I tried not to smile as his face reddened even more.

  And the next one.

  I don’t deserve you.

  He frowned.

  I quickly gave Christa the next board.

  But I’m in love with you.

  The frown disappeared and his eyes met mine. I swallowed and revealed the next.

  With you, I can be myself.

  It was a struggle holding all the boards in the blistering wind so I tightened my hold. I started to flick through the canvases like I was telling a story:

  With you by my side …

  I’m better than good enough.

  But this isn’t about me.

  It’s about you.

  And I love you.

  You’re amazing …

  the best man I’ve ever known.

  And I want to be with you.

  For as long as you’ll have me.

  Today, tomorrow …

  and all the in-betweens.

  Hell, I’m so in love with you …

  You can even put a ring on it! Except …

  No white dress, OK?

  It would have to be black.

  My girlfriends were giggling, and John’s lips twitched too. I could hear a murmuring from the crowd, but I couldn’t have cared less. All I cared about right now was John.

  From the distance it almost looked like his eyes were wet with the effort of holding back tears, but maybe it was only the wind? I stiffened when I realized there were tears trailing down my own cheeks. Shakily, I revealed the next canvas.

  If you agree to love me, for me …

  I’ll love you, for you.

  Let’s go on many great adventures.

  What do you say?

  Forgive me?

  I dropped the final board at my feet and a few of the women cried out in surprise. A couple of men wolf-whistled. I was naked except for my black, knee high boots. And it was very obvious I was extremely cold.

  “What do you say, John?” one of his teammates called. “You going to forgive her? Because if you don’t, I will!”

  There was more hearty laughter, but John ignored them. Not taking his eyes from mine, he started walking toward me. I couldn’t read his expression, but I wasn’t able to look away from those dark eyes either. The icy wind was freezing me to the core and I felt very, very naked all of a sudden.

  My girlfriends stepped away, and I heard Cate’s sharp inhalation of anticipation from somewhere behind me as John came closer. The only problem was, I still hadn’t figured out if he was happy, angry, or extremely pissed at the stunt I had just pulled.

  When he was a few steps from me, I spoke. “John, I—”

  Ignoring my words, he scooped me up into his arms, planting his mouth on mine. Those arms, those big, strong arms, engulfed me. I sighed beneath his lips, fresh tears trailing down my cheeks as relief, love, and lust all warred inside me. But none of it mattered because John’s arms were around me.

  He eased back and nodded at Christa. “Toss us the bloody blanket, Christa,” he said gruffly, “or my mates will get an eyeful of her ass.” He pressed his nose to mine and I caught my breath at the dark, lustful look in his eyes. “It’s my ass now.”

  I grinned. “It’s all yours. For as long as you’ll have me.”

  “Oh, I’ll have you, Scarlett Wong. Today, tomorrow, and all the in-betweens.”

  He crushed his mouth to mine again.

  Chapter 37

  John did end up putting a ring on it, although not in the traditional sense.

  I was in New York to work on five commissions and John had flown over to join me for my final wee
k. It was a do-over of our first New York trip and we were spending the afternoon walking through Central Park.

  “You know how I said marriage wasn’t important to me?” John said, not looking at me.

  It was late summer and the park was buzzing with activity. For the last half hour we’d been content to follow the walking tracks hand in hand, people-watching.

  “Yeah?”

  “Well, you’re important to me.”

  I glanced over at him, not sure where he was going with this.

  He stopped walking and turned me to face him. “No. Really important to me,” he corrected. He lifted his hand up to show me something lying in his open palm. “This is for you.”

  I stared at it. “Is this …?”

  “An engagement ring?” He shrugged. “It’s whatever you want it to be. But I wanted to give it to you as a reminder of what you mean to me.”

  I picked up the ring and studied it carefully. It was as unusual as it was beautiful. “It’s black,” I breathed.

  “It’s an eighteen carat black gold band with a black diamond.” He took the ring from my fingers and gently slid it on my ring finger.

  I blinked away tears. There was an intricate filigree pattern in the band surrounding the black diamond. “I love it,” I said hoarsely.

  “I’m glad.”

  I looked at him slyly from underneath my lashes. “It will go perfectly with my black wedding dress.”

  “You’re joking, right?”

  “I’m not sure,” I said honestly. Marriage didn’t seem like such a big deal anymore. In the weeks that followed my dramatic scene at the soccer field, I’d come to accept I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him, and that it was a good thing.

  “We can get married anytime,” John said. “But there’s something else I’ve been wanting to ask you.”

  “Should I be worried?”

  “Depends. How do you feel about London?”

  “I’ve never been.”

  “Would you like to?”