Chapter 34
CHAPTER 34
CALEB
A pril and I have spent the past twenty-four hours dodging one another. Not my usual M.O., but with her living in my apartment, I want her to feel at home, not threatened, or like I’m expecting something from her. The kiss was stupid. I promised myself I’d stay away from her, but then we laughed, and she teased me. The kiss felt so natural. Only it wasn’t, and now we are being overly polite and awkward.
“This is quite a turnout,” Scarlett says, appearing at my shoulder.
“She’s loved by the community. I’m not sure even she realises how much,” I reply, turning around and giving her a hug. “Thank you for suggesting this.”
Scarlett looks at me and grins. “Oh, believe me, this is me being completely selfish. I want April on board. She’s incredibly talented.”
I smile at her and nod. I know she is. I’m just hoping other people telling her will help make April believe it.
It’s not long before it’s standing room only. Scarlett has moved towards April, and they are deep in conversation. She laughs at something Scarlett says, and I think back to our run. She was open and laughing with me that day. I would do anything to have that part of her again.
“Caleb,” a voice appears behind me.
“Mum? What are you doing here?” I turn and face my mother. The matriarch of our family and a great parent, albeit a little meddlesome at times.
She pats my cheek. “I’m representing the Frazer Foundation, darling. Scarlett and I have been talking about sponsorships. We’re looking at setting up drop-in centres. When Scarlett mentioned this project and her involvement, I thought this new development of yours could be our flagship. I’ve heard about the number of young people.”
“Mother,” I say. “A heads up would have been nice. You can’t just turn up and?—”
Ignoring me, she looks over towards Scarlett and April. “Ah, that must be April, the young lady I keep hearing so much about.”
I freeze, a sense of unease settling in my stomach.
“What do you mean?” I ask slowly.
“Nothing, dear. She’s quite the dancer. Scarlett was very complimentary. I’ll go over and introduce myself.”
She steps around me before I can stop her.
I’m going to string Scarlett up when I get my hands on her.
I watch her make her way across the room and groan. Can’t she be satisfied with Gabriel being attached? He’s made her a grandmother. The last thing I need is my matchmaking mother, around April.
Hold on… where did that thought come from?
I shove my hands in my pockets and draw in a breath. There’s no reason for my mother to even think romantic thoughts where April is concerned. She doesn’t know she’s staying with me. No one does, apart from Samuel. Did April tell Scarlett? I know the boys wouldn’t say anything. They know what my mother is like. She tries to fix them up every year at her birthday party.
I cringe as my mother makes it to her destination. Scarlett and April both smile at her as she’s introduced. My mother is not like many of her peers when it comes to matching my siblings and me with potential partners. My parents had an arranged marriage but fell in love and raised a family. She and my father became a traditional love story. Their marriage may have begun its life built on what my father inherited, but they were a team. Their love and partnership thrived, as did everything they touched. They were still as much in love the day he died as they were when they first fell. His loss has been hard on her, but she’s a survivor. I’ve never voiced it aloud, but their relationship is why I refuse to settle. I want what they had. I just have yet to find it, and if I don’t, then that’s the way it will be.
Someone claps their hands, bringing the crowd’s attention to the front. My mother is still busy talking to Scarlett, but April has moved off. I exhale, quieting my racing heart.
“Welcome, everyone. I’m glad to see so many of you could make it this evening,” April says. “Can everyone hear me at the back?”
Acknowledgements are heard from the rear of the room, and April smiles.
I listen as she discusses the fire, the issues, and how she’s working with Scarlett and me to resolve them. I watch members of the crowd nod. Everyone focused on the woman standing at the front as she presents our proposal.
When she’s finished, she opens the floor up for questions.
“I work. I can’t travel all the way across town. It was hard enough when it was around the corner.”
Scarlett steps in. “The centre has security measures. Once the children, especially the younger ones, exit the bus, the staff will escort them to the studios and provide continuous supervision. Once their lesson is over, they will be returned to the bus—like a school trip.”
“Ms Dupree, you’re a wealthy woman. Why are you doing this?” one woman asks.
“I have a great deal of respect for April. I know how much your children and young adults mean to her. What dancing means to her.”
She looks over at April and the women share a smile. I see a friendship forming. One that will outlive mine and April's. My stomach hardens at the thought.
“I’m also setting up an independent dance school. Somewhere accessible for anyone with talent,” she adds, making it obvious it won’t be about the extortionate fees some places charge. “I’m working with the Frazer Foundation to set up realistic scholarships. That’s why Mrs Francesca Frazer is here tonight.”
I watch as my mum smiles and raises her hand in acknowledgement.
How the hell did this happen?
Somehow, I seem to be losing control here. The women in my life are taking over. All I can do is work on the development and get the studio back up and running.
“How long will this be for?” a man asks from the back of the room.
I watch April’s face drop.
I step forward.
“I found out earlier today the council has granted us permission to begin work on the Sunny Down site immediately. Due to the fire and the current state of the building, they think it is in the best interest of the city and the community for the building to be demolished as soon as possible. Once the site has been cleared, the building team will move in.” The man nods before sitting down. I keep my eyes on the crowd, although I can sense April’s eyes drilling into me. This is all news to her. She’s put distance between us tonight and used Scarlett as a shield, but I can feel her questions bubbling. I hide my grin as April is left speechless.
One of us fields the rest of the questions until April finally calls the meeting to a close. Parents line up to sign consent forms for their children. A couple ask if they can accompany the buses, act as chaperones. For those people, we get them to fill out security checks. Elijah has promised to fast-track them.
When I finally catch up with April, she’s in deep conversation with my mother about the community centre and the councillors the foundation wants to put in place. This is a project close to my mother’s heart. One she and my father began. I just hadn’t realised how far along it had progressed.
“There you are,” my mother says as I walk up to them both.
April smiles up at me. “Your mother was just telling me about her plans for the community centre. It’s amazing. The foundation can do so much good.”
The excitement in her voice is contagious, and I look at my mother, whose gaze moves between us with open interest.
I school my features.
“Mother, are you ready to go? I think Freddy is waiting for you,” I say, pointing to the door where her driver is waiting patiently.
“I am,” she grins, turning her attention to April and grasping one of her hands in both of hers. “It was lovely to meet you. I hope to see you again soon.”
April smiles as we watch her walk away.
She turns to me, and I’m surprised to see a grin bunching up her cheeks. “It’s okay, you’re safe,” she says. “I didn’t tell her I’m currently living in your apartment. ”
I groan at her words, pinching the bridge of my nose to stem the headache that is threatening to hit. I know my mother, and I thought she was looking at April with far too much interest.
“Quite the matchmaker,” she laughs, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “Spent a lot of this evening trying to sell me your virtues.”
I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose harder.
“Please ignore everything she said,” I say.
What was my mother thinking!
“Are you sure? The things she was saying. Well, they were very flattering.”
I do a double-take. April’s laughter fills the air, and it does strange things to my chest. An unfamiliar warmth only she seems to ignite spreads out.
Unsure how to reply, I step forward.
“Are you ready to go?”
For the first time, finding myself… speechless. But also unsure if I want to listen to any more of my mother’s plus points.
Scarlett and Samuel are deep in conversation when we finally approach them to say goodbye. I’m surprised to see Daniel, his partner, by his side. He looks more relaxed, they both do. They shake hands with Scarlett as we arrive before turning to us. He comes forward and kisses April’s cheek.
“Well done, baby girl,” he says, giving her a hug. I watch in anticipation as Daniel steps up and holds out his hand.
“Well done, April. I want to apologise for being such an asshole the other week.” He looks at the floor. “I just…”
I’m as shocked as he is when April steps up and hugs him. He freezes for a second before relaxing into her hug, his arms coming up and around her.
“Thank you for coming this evening. I appreciate your support,” she says, brushing over previous events .
“Thank you,” Dan says quietly, standing there awkwardly until Samuel wraps an arm around his shoulder, giving him a squeeze. Dan looks up at him, an unspoken message passing between them.
“Come on. It’s time to leave these good people and head home,” Samuel says before wishing us all a pleasant evening.
My eyes follow them, and I watch Dan say something to Samuel, which has him taking his hand and bringing it to his lips. They’re working on their issues. Seeing them together, I hope they sort it out.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Scarlett says to April. She pulls her in for a hug, bringing my attention back to the two women.
What is it with all the touchy-feely?
April seems to be happy to hug everyone but me, leaving a burning sensation in my chest.
“See you tomorrow,” April says, returning the hug.
“What’s happening tomorrow?” I ask.
Scarlett turns and laughs. “Nothing that concerns you.”
She winks at April before making her way to the exit.
April looks at my face and grins before taking pity on me. “Scarlett wants to speak to me about maternity cover for one of her dance instructors.”
I tip my head in acknowledgement before we make our way out of the building. The caretaker enters to lock up.
“Thank you,” April says to the man as we pass.
I follow her onto the street, sensing she wants to ask me something but is holding off. She waves at a few stragglers who are still standing around outside.
“Tonight was a success,” I say, hoping she feels the same way.
“I think it was. Thank you for helping to arrange it,” she says, climbing into the car as Mason holds the door open. I watch as she shimmies across the seat, her trousers tight across her thighs.
I swallow before climbing into the car after her.
“You did all the hard work. You got the message out there,” I say.
“Ah, the community grapevine.” She grins. “It has its benefits and is perfect for things like this. Not so great for private and personal matters.”
I wonder what private and personal matters they might be?