Chapter 60
CHAPTER 60
CALEB
M ason pulls up outside Scarlett’s apartment building. Another week, and she’ll be free to move into the apartment above the dance studio. The builders are completing the finishing touches. I head to the door, bouquet in hand. If I’m doing this, I’m doing it properly. No messing. I need to make April feel safe and cherished.
She buzzes me in, and I make my way up the stairs. My heart beats faster the closer I get to her. It’s not like I haven’t seen her, but that saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder, is true where April is concerned.
As I pass, one of the downstairs doors opens, and an older lady with snowy white hair and a full face of makeup pops her head out. She scowls at me until she notices the flowers, and her expression softens.
“Taking April somewhere nice?” she asks.
Why am I not surprised April is already on a first-name basis with the other residents? She knew every receptionist, maintenance man, and cleaner in my building by their first name within a fortnight .
I smile. “Mount Crystals,” I say.
I’m going for excellent food and privacy. Robin Downsend runs a tight ship, making it the place to go if you're known and want a hassle-free evening. I don’t think having her face plastered all over the newspapers is what April needs right now. Elijah has taken care of Crawley’s threat, but I’m treading carefully. When you poke the bear, sometimes it has a tendency of biting you and I don’t want April in Crawley’s sight.
“Fancy… but not too fancy. I think our girl will like that,” she says. “Have a lovely evening.” Without another word, she shuts the door, leaving me staring. I shrug and make my way up another flight of stairs, knocking on April’s door.
The door opens, and April grins, her hand under her hair as she fiddles with her earring. She steps back, letting me enter. She looks stunning. The dress she’s wearing is breathtaking.
“You look—” I stumble, looking for the right word.
April turns to face me, her eyes twinkling.
“Caleb Frazer, lost for words. Now that must be a first.”
She chuckles, but the flush to her cheeks does not go unnoticed.
“There seem to be a lot of firsts with you,” I admit, holding out the flowers.
April takes them.
“They’re beautiful,” she says, burying her nose in the bouquet. “Come in and let me quickly put these in some water.”
She disappears into the kitchen, only to return a few moments later with them in a vase. She places it on the side before walking up to me, her hands snaking around my neck.
“Thank you,” she says, pulling my mouth to hers, her lips teasing mine. When I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her closer, she pulls back to stare up at me. “I’ve missed you,” she admits, taking my breath away.
I drop my forehead to hers. “Not as much as I’ve missed you.”
She stares up, our eyes locked. “You’re just missing the sex,” she replies.
“I will not deny missing your delectable body.” I pull my head back and drag her hard against me, letting her feel exactly how much I’ve been missing her. “But I miss you. I miss your presence, chatting about our day. I even miss your singing,” I say with a smirk.
She grimaces at the memory of the day I came home early from work to find her singing at the top of her lungs in the shower.
“I just miss your body,” she says, pulling back and grinning at me. “As for conversation. We’ll see how tonight goes.”
I chuckle as April wiggles her brows before walking further into the apartment. She returns a moment later, clutching her bag.
“Ready?” I ask, holding out my hand.
“I think I am.”
She interlocks her fingers with mine.
“So what are the plans?” she asks as she turns and locks up. All I’ve told her is we’re going for dinner.
I pull a folded piece of coloured paper out of my pocket, one identical to the ones from our date jar.
April stops, her brows furrowed. “A jar date ? I don’t remember…”
I place a finger over her lips. “I may have added a few of my own to the jar, while you’ve been gone. We were getting a little low,” I lie, making her laugh.
“Low?”
I shrug .
“Lead the way,” she says smiling as she links her arm through mine.
We make our way downstairs to where Mason is waiting.
“Evening, Ms April. Lovely to see you again,” he says, opening the car door.
“It’s lovely to see you too, Mason,” April replies.
Mason grins at me as I shake my head. Smooth operator. Another one, April has charmed.
The drive to the restaurant is relaxed. We talk about our day, our fingers still interlinked. We’ve been messaging and talking on the phone, but this is the first time we’ve seen each other since she moved out.
The restaurant is busy, as always. Robin greets us at the door, taking us to the table I requested. A table tucked away in the corner. I recognise a couple of other guests, nodding in their direction. Their eyes drift to April with interest.
“Enjoy your meal,” Robin says, having settled April in her chair.
“Thank you,” April says, smiling up at him. My heart jumps.
I raise a brow and shoot it in Robin’s direction, earning myself a smirk when April looks down. We’ve been friends for a long time, and I’ve been a customer for years. What is it with my friends finding my love life suddenly interesting?
“This is lovely. I’ve heard great things about the food,” April says, picking up her menu.
“Robin knows how to create the perfect customer experience,” I say drily.
April chuckles. “You deserve all you get,” she says, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “The playboy, dating. Ouch. What will it do to your reputation?”
I growl. “I’ve given up my playboy ways. There’s only one woman I’m interested in.” I lean across the table and take her hand in mine. “I mean it. ”
I rub circles on the back of her hand with my thumb. Her eyes drop to the movement.
“I need time,” she says, her eyes meeting mine.
“And I’ll give it to you. Just don’t shut me out. I know we’ve been intense, and it’s all happened so quickly. But when I tell you I love you, I mean it. I just need you to believe it.”
Our waitress arrives before April can reply, taking our drinks order. I decide against pushing any further. April needs to find her own way back to me. Although I’ll do everything in my power to prove to her, she’s the only woman I want from now on.
“Well, if it isn’t Caleb Frazer. Long time, no see.”
I freeze as I’m enveloped in a floral scent that almost steals my breath.
“Patsy,” I say, looking up to see a past date appear next to our table. “It’s been a while.”
“Too long.” She pouts, annoying me as she continues to ignore the fact I’m with someone.
“Patsy, this is my girlfriend, April,” I say, feeling a little agitated by her brazen disregard for the woman who is sitting opposite me.
Patsy turns and gives April a dismissive nod. April bites her lip, although her eyes sharpen when Patsy’s hand comes to rest on my shoulder.
“You haven’t returned my calls,” she says, brushing the material of my shirt as if removing a piece of flint.
I remove her hand, dropping it.
“No,” I say. A coldness slips into my tone, her rudeness beginning to grate on my nerves. I look over her shoulder. “I think your date is waiting for you,” I say, giving her an empty smile.
She flicks her head.
“He can wait,” she says. “I’ve missed you.”
She reaches for me again. This time, I stand up and move away.
“I’m trying not to be rude,” I say, working hard to keep my cool. I only ever went on one date with this woman. I didn’t even stay the night. She gave stalker vibes even then. How did I end up with her being here of all nights?
She turns and gives April the once over.
“What’s she got that I don’t?” she asks.
Her over-painted lips pout even more, her eyes fill with tears.
What the hell?
April stands up, matching Patsy in height.
“I think you need to go back to your date. Show some self-respect.” April’s eyes don’t leave hers. They stand, their eyes locked until Patsy flicks her professional blow out and walks away.
“That would be… everything,” I say as we take our seats.
April turns to me, her brows raised.
“She asked what you have that she doesn’t? It sounds corny, but everything.” I shrug.
April can’t keep the smile from her lips. “That really is corny. But I’ll go with it.”
I return her smile.
“So, is this what it will be like every time we go out for dinner? Your exes invading our space?” she asks, biting her cheek as she straightens her knife and then fork.
“Heaven forbid,” I say, cringing.
Damn, this is not how I wanted this evening to go. I don’t need reminders of my playboy past being brought up at every move.
April’s hand comes across the table to rest on mine .
“Hey, it’s okay. We both have a past. We just need to work out how we can navigate a future without it blowing up in our faces.” Her expression is serious. “If it’s not Sir Leonard, it will be some other creep. If we come out as a couple, then it won’t matter. The press will do all the digging. I can just see the headlines now. The City’s Most Eligible Playboy Falls For Merryfellows Stripper. ”
She’s not wrong. The press are a law unto themselves.
“I’m not going to lie to you,” I say. “Sir Leonard has been quiet, but that does not mean he’ll remain that way, even with the threat of exposure Elijah has hanging over him. It’s also true that a lot of the men who frequent Merryfellows are old and entitled pricks. But they don’t scare me. Most would want their association with that place kept quiet. It’s why you had to sign the NDA when you worked there.” I squeeze her hand. “As for the press—I love you, and I’m proud of you.”
Her breath hitches, and my heart begins to race. Her eyes fill and I clamp down on the emotions that are racing through my system.
“But—”
A rush of fear sets in.
I take her hand, stroking my thumb over the back of her fingers. “I’ve lived my whole life in the public eye. The good, the bad and the ugly. When you’re ready, and if it’s what you want. Quentin can help us release the narrative we want. It’s better to get in there first. Owning your past will be better than hiding it.”
“But what about your family?” The quiver in her voice breaks my heart.
I smile. “My family love you. What part of my sisters taking you out, did you miss? You make me happy. They’ll support you whatever you decide.”
April withdraws her hand and places it in her lap. I watch as her shoulders sag and a heavy feeling settles in my chest. When she looks up, I’m shocked to see the lost look in her eyes.
“I’m going to be honest. I can’t simply take a leap of faith. Every time I’ve let myself feel safe, believe life has taken a turn for the better, something has happened to destroy that. From the age of three, I have lived each day not knowing what is going to happen next. I’m sorry, Cal. I can’t?—“
Her voice catches and she bites down on her bottom lip. I hold my hand out on top of the table, relieved when she takes it, interlocking our fingers. “I’m not ready. Please, I beg you. Don’t give up on me.” When her voice catches for the second time, I raise her hand to my lips. My heart clenches, but I know if we have any chance, I need to do as she asks.
Her words are like a punch to the stomach. I want to take away all the pain she’s ever experienced, but I know I can’t.
“I’ll wait for as long as you need me to. Show how life without me is mundane and boring,” I tell her truthfully. I will prove to April Wilson she cannot live without me.
The smile she shoots my way steals my breath. My heart stalls when she says. “It already is.”
I talk April into accepting a dessert to share.
My stomach churns with my next question.
“April?”
She looks up, taking the mouthful I have just offered her from the spoon.
“Yes, Cal,” she says, smirking. My eyes lock on her mouth, and she licks the crème br?lée that has stuck to her lip.
I groan and run a hand down my face. “You’ll be the death of me,” I say, shifting uncomfortably in my seat.
When we used to eat dinner at home, we often had our own course in the middle. In public, that’s not possible. My cock, however, has not got the memo. “In all seriousness, I have to ask you something.”
April sits up. “Okay,” she says.
Maybe I should wait.
“It’s your mum,” I say
She sits back in her chair and stares at me. “What have you done?” she asks, her tone accusatory. “Cal?”
I hold up my hands. “Nothing. I swear.”
“Then why bring up my mum?”
She takes an angry mouthful of dessert. Stabbing at the plate as if she wishes it is my head.
Shit, I should have left it.
“Elijah.”
She shoots me a look.
“I’m grateful for what your brother did at the party. How he stood up for me, but he doesn’t have any right. He’s out of line. He needs to stay out of my business.”
“He is, was.” I pause, running a hand down my face. “Look, I’m not handling this very well.” I look around and am pleased to see no one is watching us.
“No, you’re not.” April sits back in her chair.
I smile, unable to help myself. I love the fact April calls me on my bullshit.
“Don’t smile,” she says, glaring at me.
“I love you calling me out,” I say.
“Shame more women haven’t,” she huffs, shaking her head. “You need reining in. Training.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, reaching over for her hand, but she pulls it away. “I’m all for being trained. Especially if it’s by you.” I waggle my brows and receive another eye roll.
“This has to stop,” she says. “It’s smothering. And wrong on so many levels. It worries me you can’t see that. Your brother sniffing around in my life.” She growls, and my body hardens. Her anger has a way of turning me on as no one else ever has.
“It is,” I agree. “It’s just something flagged up. Eli thought you might want to know.” I inhale before continuing. “Should I keep that information from you? I can. Or I can tell you and let you make up your own mind what you want to do with it.”
April sits forward, her forearms resting on the table. Her face passive. “You fight dirty.”
I exhale slowly.
“Well?” she says, lifting a hand and waving at me. “Now you have to tell me.”
“Your birth mother is looking for you,” I say. “She’s registered with every lost family website.”
“I’d like to leave now.”
“April,” I say, but she holds up her hand.
“I can’t do this right now,” she says, and I kick myself for ruining what’s been an amazing night. Now, her memories will be tarnished by me and my interfering family.
April gets up and excuses herself. I watch as she makes her way to the bathroom.
Way to go, Caleb!
I call over the waitress and settle the bill, calling Mason to let him know we’re leaving and to bring the car around.
When April returns, she’s in control. She smiles at the waitress and thanks her for a lovely evening. Repeating the process when Robin approaches. Only I know she wants to be as far away from this place and me as possible.
We get into the car in silence.
“Thank you for a lovely evening,” April says, her face turned towards the window.
“Don’t thank me. I’ve ruined it.”
She turns to face me. Her expression lost.
“I don’t know how to do this,” she says. “I want to be furious at you, but I can’t. You confuse me, Caleb Frazer, more than anyone, and that scares me.”
“I’ll never do anything to hurt you,” I say, my thumb stroking her cheek.
She gives me a weak smile. “Not intentionally, but I suspect you will. I’m not sure I can survive you.”
She tilts her head into my hand, and I pull her into my chest, resting her head above my heart, wanting her to hear it beat for her.
“You don’t need to do anything about your mum,” I say, my hand smoothing her hair.
April burrows in deeper against me. “I do,” she says. “I’ve wondered for too long. You know that.” Her mind clearly returned to the same conversation mine had when Eli first told me.
“You aren’t alone.” I drop a kiss onto her hair. “I can be with you every step of the way.”
April pulls back and looks up at me. “You’ll come with me?”
“Little dancer, of course, I’ll come with you. I’ll do whatever you need. You only need to ask.”
She reaches up, her lips touching mine.
“Can I think about it?”
“Take as long as you need,” I say, pulling her closer and into my lap.
My body cannot hide the effect she has on it.
Mason pulls up outside April’s apartment.
April drops her gaze, moving back, as Mason jumps out and opens the door for us.
I get out and walk her up to her apartment.
She opens the door before turning to face me. “Are you coming in?”
I take her head in my hands and draw her lips towards mine. “No. You have things to think about. ”
April nods, her bottom lip disappearing behind her teeth.
“But if you need me, call. I’ll be here in a heartbeat, or we can talk. I’m here for you. You’re not alone.”
“Thank you for an amazing evening,” she says, her arms coming up and around my neck.
I pull her flush against me and lower my head, my tongue begging for entrance as I nibble and tease.
When I pull away, we’re both breathless.
“Good night, April,” I say, stepping away and adjusting myself.
April smirks when she catches the movement.
“Do you need help with that?” she asks, and I like the fact my cheeky April is back.
“I’d not be proving everything I want to prove, if I say yes.” I say through gritted teeth.
“I appreciate your sacrifice. Goodnight.” She steps inside her door, her face deadpan apart from the twinkle in her eyes.
“Goodnight,” I say, waiting until she closes the door and engages the lock. I make my way back down to the car and a solemn Mason.
I know as we drive away, I’m in for a long night and an ice-cold shower.