“Don’t pretend this was my performance at the festival. It was your money, plain and simple.”
“Partly. Yes, of course, that was a factor. But so what? That’s how everybody gets in. You obviously liked what Bernadette had to say. You obviously think you can make a contribution. So make it. From this second on, I can’t help you at all. The door is open, you can walk through it or not.”
She glared at him in silent suspicion.
He wanted to say more, but he knew it was smarter to stop talking.
“If that’s all true, why weren’t you honest to begin with?” she asked. “Why weren’t you up-front with me?”
He acknowledged it was a fair question. He hadn’t wanted to manipulate her. He’d wanted to make her happy. He’d pictured her conversation with Bernadette over and over in his mind, and he quite simply got a kick out of thinking about her joy.
“I wanted it to make you happy,” he said.
She heaved a sigh. “It did. But then it made me mad. And now I’m not happy anymore.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think it through.”
“You mean you didn’t think you’d get caught.”
“I normally don’t.”
“You do this all the time?”
“No, no.” He could feel himself losing ground. “Not at home. In business. Just a little bit. Sometimes the direct approach isn’t the best approach. Sometimes it’s better to plant a seed and then stand back and let it germinate.”
“I’m not a seed.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want to germinate.”
“I understand.”
“I don’t want you germinating me ever—” It was obvious she struggled but then failed to stop a smile. “That didn’t sound right.”
“It sounded sexy.” He dared to take her hand. “I won’t try to manipulate you again. I promise. But as for the germinating part…”
“It’s not the manipulation.” She paused. “I mean, it is the manipulation. But it’s more the money. You don’t need to use your money to make me happy.”
“I’m not.” He wasn’t.
She gave a sad smile. She obviously wasn’t convinced.
He’d have to work on that.
* * *
“You’re going on an airplane?” Heidi asked in a wary voice.
Both kids were on the sofa in the family room, still in their pajamas after breakfast. Sage and TJ were in the armchairs across from them.
“Kristy will be here the whole time,” Sage said, her guilt surging.
“We’ll have a great time,” Kristy chimed in from where she was loading the dishwasher.
“I’ve never been on an airplane,” Heidi said.
“I was on a helicopter once,” Eli said. “I don’t remember it though.” He looked to TJ. “Will you go to the Mets game?”
Sage and TJ exchanged a look. She hadn’t seen this one coming.
“Are you telling me there’s a Mets game tonight?” TJ asked Eli.
Eli moved up to the edge of the sofa. “It’s their first home game this month.”
“I like baseball,” Heidi said, her expression growing hopeful.
TJ closed his eyes and his chin dropped to his chest.
“I’ve never seen a live major league game,” Eli added.
“He’s your son,” Sage said to TJ, struggling not to laugh. “Dropping seeds and letting them germinate.”
“Do they have ballpark franks?” Heidi asked. “Do they bring them to your seat?”
TJ raised his head. “Are you two saying you want to go to New York?”
“Yes!” both children sang out in unison.
TJ raised his hands in defeat. “Kristy?”
“Yes, boss?” Kristy moved from the kitchen into the family room.
“Would you be able to come to New York overnight?”
“You bet I can.”
“Yippee!” Eli sprang to his feet on the sofa.
Heidi followed a little more slowly.
Sage felt her heart swell with joy. Seeing the kids this excited was so wonderfully ordinary.
She leaned closer to TJ. “Thank you.”
He retrieved his phone from his shirt pocket. “I told you, you never have to thank me for taking care of my son.” His gaze went to Heidi. “Or my daughter.”
“Upstairs,” Kristy said brightly to the kids, urging them down from the sofa. “We need to pack your things.”
“Our flight is in an hour,” TJ told her. Then he pressed a speed dial button on his phone. “I’m still getting you alone,” he said to Sage.
She grinned, feeling lighthearted, happy and excited. She wanted to be alone with TJ too.