Chapter Five
Piper
The park is quiet, with only the sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling in the gentle breeze as I sit on my favorite bench, savoring the quite tranquility as I unpack my lunch. It’s a warm day with the sun filtering through the trees, casting shadows on the ground all around me.
After a busy morning at the library, I’m enjoying a moment of solitude, giving me a chance to clear my chaotic thoughts about life and Magnus Carter who I haven’t seen in a week. After all of the advice from my friends, it might not even matter. Maybe he got what he needed out of his visits, and now he’s moved on, just what I thought he’d do. Maybe holding back and playing it safe was the smart decision.
I shouldn’t be disappointed in this, but now that he’s stepped back into my life, I’m a little bummed he’s gone again. If I’m feeling this way now, I’m sure I’d feel a heck of a lot worse if we were in an actual relationship, and then he disappeared on me. I don’t want to lose my sunniness, don’t want to be bummed about a man. This should tell me that an affair with him would be an epic mistake.
I’m halfway through my sandwich when I hear footsteps approaching. I look up with an automatic smile that falters when I see who’s approaching. Does the man simply appear when he’s on my mind? No. Because he’s on my mind all of the time and this is his first appearance in over a week. He’s smiling as he approaches with a confident stride and his trademark disarming smile. My heart starts thundering.
“Hello, Piper,” he greets before taking a seat next to me. “Care if I join you?” Well, it’s a little late to say no as he’s already sitting. I hesitate a moment before speaking as I don’t want my voice to come out all breathy. This man causes my body to act in ways no other man has made it act before.
I don’t bother with answering his question as he’s already seated and looking quite comfortable. “What brings you to the park today?” I’m not sure where this man lives, but I know it’s nowhere close to my small town. I’m assuming he lives in some condo overlooking the regular people of Seattle. I scold myself as I don’t like having negative thoughts like this. I’m Mrs. Sunshine. I’d do well to remember this.
“I found myself in the area and was told this is your favorite lunch spot,” he says, his eyes twinkling. I think this man truly enjoys our game of cat and mouse. Is it the hunt he’s after? Once I say yes to him will he lose interest? There might be only one way to find out about this. Do I have the courage to say yes if he asks me out? I’m thinking that’s a lot scarier than continuing to avoid him. But, then again, I’ve always been up for adventure.
“Yes, I love how tranquil it is here. It’s my favorite escape place,” I tell him, not sure why.
“I love the summers in Washington. The winters are a little harsh, but that’s one of the reasons I love travel so much. When it’s cold and rainy in Washington, I can be in the sun in Australia. We have an entire world to explore with different climates and beauty.” The man seems far more relaxed than usual, and I find I’m enjoying his company much more than I should.
“I love living somewhere we have all of the seasons. Sure, I don’t love the winter as much, but there’s beauty in rain as it brings out the flowers in the spring. I’d much rather have rain than live in a desert. I don’t do so well with extreme heat and endless brown.”
“I love the heat because I’m always near water to cool me off when I go to hot places. I have to agree I’m not a big fan of the desert, even though there can be real beauty there as well.” He looks at the book sitting next to me and picks it up. “Are you enjoying this?”
“I finished it last night. My book club is reading it this week. I was just making a few notes for our next discussion.”
“Book club, huh? What does it take to get into that?”
I laugh as I shake my head. “No men allowed. We discuss intimate things and it’s our little haven,” I tell him.
“I can share intimate things as well,” he tells me, his voice dropping an octave and making butterflies flutter in my stomach. I shake my head again. I’m well aware how intimate this man can be. Each time he reminds me, it makes my body sing. No other man has taken me to heaven the way this man has.
“Nope. Our number one rule is no men,” I tell him again. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything to do with books with Magnus at our meeting. I’m sure he’d charm every woman there, but there’s no way it’s going to happen. This man is so much more dangerous than I’ve given him credit for. When he really wants to put on the charm I don’t stand a chance with him. I’m so not used to this. I’m used to men being intimidated by my zest for life.
We chat another moment and then he gives me his full attention. “I was seeking you out for a reason,” he finally tells me. I take in a nice deep breath, getting more of his scent than the fresh air around me, though.
“What reason?” I finally ask when he goes quiet.
“I’m hosting a charity event in a few days, raising money for low-income schools,” he begins, making my heart flutter. “There will be a lot of rare books auctioned off, and I thought it would be something you’d enjoy. Plus, I could really use some of your expert advice on which books you think I should bid on.”
I hesitate as he makes his offer, desperately wanting to go, but knowing it’s a date, and knowing this might not be good for me. “I don’t know . . .” I finally say, my words dropping off. It’s clear I’m interested.
“I can promise you’ll have a wonderful time,” he assures me. “Besides, you have to admit it’s a great cause. This is my favorite charity, and all of the proceeds go to the organization, not into corporate pockets.”
“Why is this particular program so important to you?” I ask, confused. Most billionaires donate, but not because they care, but because it looks good for their business and themselves. I’ve always been impressed with those who silently give. I can’t stand those Hollywood Gala events where celebrities talk about how much they care while wearing ten-thousand-dollar dresses with even more expensive jewelry, shoes, and handbags. It grosses me out.
I don’t ever fault someone for making money and spending it on what they want. I do fault those who go to exclusive “charity” events while saying they’re doing it for the little people. Maybe if they knew anything about what it’s like to be in horrific living conditions they’d show up in dresses from the rack of a normal store while presenting a check for the amount they’d normally spend on clothes for other events they go to. That would impress me, and prove they do care.
I see Magnus shift in his seat as if he’s deciding on whether to tell me or not. He lets out a sigh as he looks out at the trees. “I grew up very poor. My father lost his logging company when I was young, and we had it tough for a lot of years. My sister and I grew up in low-income housing, and though we didn’t have much in material possessions, we had more than enough love to make up for it. My mother’s full Italian, and the woman is a goddess in the kitchen. She can make gourmet meals out of practically nothing. It took a while for me to realize how much more others had than us. My parents raised my sister and me to appreciate all we have in life, and taught us to give back if we ever were successful. I lost my dad young, and I do these events to honor his memory as much as I do them to feed my soul. This country won’t be successful until all children have equal opportunity with education. Each public school should have the same programs. It absolutely shouldn’t be based on a zip code. I fight for that every single day of my life. It seems that people don’t want to listen though.”
I see the genuine sincerity in his eyes as he tells me this, and my walls come tumbling down. I’d never have thought Magnus knew what it was like to be poor. A man who appreciates and loves his family, and knows the heartache of going without, is much harder to resist than an arrogant billionaire. Why does he have to have a heart . . . and a damn story behind it? And why does he have to be so raw right now. Arrogance, I can resist all day, vulnerability is another matter altogether.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” I admit. “Tell me more about your mom. She seems wonderful.” I shouldn’t go there, but I can’t help myself.
Magnus’s face once again lights up. “She’s amazing. She grew up in Venice and met my father when he was on vacation there. It was love at first sight and she came back to the States with him. They visited Italy often the first few years, but when they lost their money they weren’t able to go back. It was one of my highest achievements when I made the money to take my mother back to visit her family when I was in college. She still gets homesick at times, and then we do an extended vacation back to Italy. I feel as home there as I do here. She also makes the best lasagna you’ve ever tasted.”
I give Magnus a real smile as I imagine a cozy kitchen filled with the aroma of homemade Italian food. I’ve never had it outside of a restaurant before. “What a treat for you. I’d be three-hundred pounds with an Italian mother. It’s my absolute favorite food. I’m a little jealous of what a great family you have.”
“I’m a very blessed man. My sister, Bianca, is the most spirited person I know. She’s full of life and smiles, and eats men for a snack. No one will ever be good enough for her. She doesn’t allow anyone to push her around and runs a very successful vineyard that she and my mother live on. Men come in and think they know more than her, and she quickly squashes them back into place. I couldn’t be prouder of her.”
“Money often times ruins a family so it’s wonderful that it seems to have added nothing but blessings to yours,” I tell him.
“I’d give up all I have for my family. Luckily, I don’t have to,” he says with a laugh. He gives me a long look. “Don’t make me sit here in suspense. Tell me you’ll come to the event with me.”
I could turn him down again, but my defenses are down. I’ve been to charity events before, but I’m sure they’re nothing compared to what this event will be. I’m curious about it and find I really want to go. I should run before I find more to like with this man, but I’m smart enough to realize I’m not going anywhere.
“Okay, I’ll come with you. You got me at books and low-income schools, which are both things I’m passionate about.”
“It’s Saturday, beginning at seven. I’ll pick you up at five so we can get there early. We’ll be served dinner so we don’t need to eat first.”
I’m not sure I’ll be able to eat I’m going to be so nervous. I simply nod at him as I glance at my watch and see it’s time for me to get back to the library. I stand and begin gathering my things together. He joins me.
“I’ll walk you back to the library,” he offers.
I quickly shake my head. “No, I need to make a phone call so I’ll say goodbye here,” I tell him.
He hesitates as if he wants to argue, but then he reluctantly nods. “I’ll see you at five on Friday.” With this, he turns and leaves. I take my time following behind him. When I’m sure he’s gone, I dial up Livie.
She answers on the third ring, sounding a bit harried. “I need your help,” I say.
I instantly have all of her attention. “What do you need?” I love that no matter what either of us are doing, we’ll drop it in an instant to be there for each other.
“Magnus invited me to a charity event raising money for low-income schools and I have no idea what to wear to it.”
She pauses for only a moment and then she chuckles. “I’ll have you looking like the most beautiful woman in the room,” she promises. “I know the perfect dress and accessories. Leave it all up to me.”
I knew I’d called the right person. “Thank you, Livie. I’m nervous. I’ll owe you big time after this.”
“You never owe me, but tell me more about the event and how this man talked you into going,” she demands.
I fill her in with the details, feeling a mixture of terror and excitement that I’ve agreed to go with Magnus. This man might just have more layers to him than I thought was possible. Is there a possibility that he’s not just a playboy? I shouldn’t go there even in my thoughts, let alone voicing this out loud, but I fear it’s already too late for me. I might be falling for an untouchable man. I might not get a choice in the matter though. I’m in it now and the only direction I can go is forward.