Play On (Play On 1)

“Please, please!” the other kids suddenly started begging.

Sylvie began instructing him on the position she’d been in.

“Guys, leave Sylvie’s uncle—” The squeak of the plastic mat halted me mid-sentence.

And then I felt his heat, followed by the smell of expensive cologne. It was earthy but fresh. Like wood, and amber, mint leaves and apple.

Oh, dear God.

Slowly, I lifted my head and found myself staring into green eyes that were bright with amusement. Familiar green eyes with flecks of yellow gold.

“You must be Peter Pan,” he said, laughter trembling on his lips.

Lips I remembered well.

In fact, I remembered those broad shoulders too, that square, unshaven, strong jawline and expressive mouth. I remembered the sexy laugh lines around his eyes. It all belonged on a very tall, well-built guy who had once picked me up off the floor of a pub and then flirted with me the following day in a supermarket on what would turn out to be one of the worst days of my life.

Uncle Aidan was the stranger from the bar.

Small goddamn world.

Realizing I hadn’t spoken, I managed a croaky, “Hey.”

Our faces were too close together, and his long leg was currently entangled with my short one.

“Right hand green, Peter Pan!” Sylvie announced.

I wrenched my gaze from his to the mat. The nearest green spot would mean climbing her uncle like a monkey. Part of me wondered if she’d cheated. I shot her a suspicious look and watched her shake with giggles.

“Oh, crap,” I muttered under my breath.

I heard the rumble of laughter and my eyes flew back to his. There was a challenge in his, but not recognition. He didn’t remember me. Why would he? I was just a girl he briefly met once.

“I’m not doing it.”

His eyes grew round with mock innocence. “But that would be cheating.”

“Cheating?” Sylvie heard. “No cheating.”

“No cheating, Peter Pan!” Poppy cried out from her chair.

Soon all the kids were buzzing with laughter and conversation as I stared at the man who was already too close for comfort.

There was no way I was doing it. It wouldn’t be appropriate. I moved toward him as if I was going to do it and I let my left hand and foot slip. I flipped at the last minute, crashing down on the mat on my back.

“Oh no, I fell! I lose!” I threw my hands up in the air.

I heard his laughter before his face appeared upside down above mine. My breath caught as he smiled down at me. “Liar.”

“It’s called pretending.” I grinned up at him. “There’s a difference.”

Instead of smiling back at me, he suddenly frowned. “Have we met?”

Although I didn’t like to admit it, I was gratified that he’d felt a flicker of recognition. It was more than a little humbling that I had recognized him immediately, but he had no idea who I was. “No,” I lied. What was the point in reminding him? If he remembered me, he’d only have questions about the wedding ring I no longer wore.

Suddenly, Sylvie was kneeling over me. “You meant that.”

I sat up. “Prove it.”

She thrust a book at me. “You have to read now. I want Uncle Aidan to hear all the voices you do.”

Embarrassment threatened to freeze me in place. It was one thing to act out a story for a bunch of kids, even a parent or two, but for Aidan Lennox? Mr. Sexy Stranger from the bar/worldly music producer/composer/only dates beautiful women/gave up the bachelor life to care for his dying sister and then adopted his sister’s kid?

This guy wasn’t for real, right?

I jumped spryly to my feet and turned to watch him get all six-plus feet of his large build up off the mat with more grace than a big guy should be able to pull off. He towered over me, making me feel like one of the kids. I wondered how odd we looked standing together.

Aidan took a seat and Sylvie sat on the floor between his legs. The kids looked at me expectantly, so I had to force myself to block him out.

I did this for the kids.

Stranger from the Bar wasn’t going to mess up what I had here with them because he was an intimidating hunk of man candy.

At first, I couldn’t help but be aware of the masculine gaze focused so intently on me. Despite his earlier amusement, I could feel him studying me, trying to work me out. I understood it, of course. His kid was spending time with me, and he wanted to see what I was all about.

Eventually, however, the joy of acting out the story took over. Every time I’d look up from the page and see Poppy’s wide eyes and enthralled expression, or Aaron’s unusual stillness that gave away his interest, or Aly’s smiling, encouraging face, or Sylvie’s admiration, I was pushed on, all inhibitions forgotten at my feet.

Soon, Jan reappeared to tell us time was up. Like always and to my gratification, the kids groaned their displeasure. “I’ll be back next week, guys.”

Aaron approached me slowly and then stopped, shifting from foot to foot as he looked anywhere but at me. “I won’t be here next week.”

Please be good news. Please. “Oh?”

“I’m better.” He shrugged, finally looking at me. “I’m going home.”

Gladness suffused me. “Aaron, I’m going to miss you, kid. But that’s the best news ever.”

“Aye.” He nodded. “Thanks. You know, for …” He gestured around the room.

He reminded me so much of Roddy in that moment, I had to stop myself from pulling him into a hug. I brushed my fist against his shoulder. “See you around, kid.”

Aaron grinned, seeming relieved I wasn’t going to get all emotional on him. “Bye.”

As soon as he left my side, Sylvie dragged her uncle to me. I smiled at her, even though Aidan made me nervous. Gathering my things, I said, “You heading out?”

“Uncle Aidan said we can have lunch with you in the cafeteria. Please, Nora, please.”

My stomach dropped at the thought as she looked at me with such adorable pleading, my chest actually ached. She had that magical ability to turn you to mush. You know, like puppy dogs had.

My eyes flew up to Aidan’s, but his expression was neutral. I couldn’t make out what he was thinking.

When I looked back at Sylvie, I found I couldn’t deny her. “Of course. Let me grab my stuff.”

They left to wait outside, and I took the time to gather my things and say goodbye to the kids. I squeezed Poppy’s hand as I passed and she rewarded me with the world’s sweetest smile.

Aidan and Sylvie were at the nurses’ station talking to Jan, but as soon as Sylvie saw me, she impatiently pulled Aidan away. I waved at Jan, and then fell into tense silence beside uncle and niece. The silence, however, was only on mine and Aidan’s part. Sylvie filled the hallways with her excited chatter. I knew why I was drawn to Sylvie—she reminded me so much of Mel. She was opinionated but kind, strong and brave, and she’d been through so much, I found I couldn’t help but want to protect her. Moreover, as a child she was literal and uncomplicated. She didn’t want to pry into my reasons for dressing up like Peter Pan and telling stories. She didn’t know about my dead husband, or grill me about moving on with my life. In Sylvie, I found peace from the world outside.

However, I didn’t know why Sylvie was so drawn to me. I would’ve thought it was my storytelling but she seemed more interested in Nora than Peter Pan.

As if to prove my point, she gestured to a restroom up ahead. “Do you want to change your clothes, Nora?”

My lips twitched at her suggestion. “Embarrassed by my cool threads?” I tugged at the ragged hem of my costume.

Sylvie wrinkled her nose. “A little.”

“Sylvie,” Aidan admonished, but I could tell by the small smirk he wore he thought she was hilarious. Lucky for him, I thought she was too.

“I’ll change, Your Highness.” I gave her a mock bow that made her laugh.

Inside the restroom, I found my fingers trembling as I undressed and pulled on my skinny jeans and T-shirt. I was all too aware of Aidan. More than that, I was worried he didn’t like Sylvie spending time with me. His stare was unnerving and unwavering, as if he were analyzing my every word and movement, trying to work out if I was good enough to be around his niece.