Anna Sugden - A Perfect Distraction

“But you’re home, Auntie Tracy, and we’ll look after you.” Emily danced around the room with the boundless energy of a seven-year-old. “We’re much nicer than Nurse Attila.”

“That’s true.” Tracy crossed her arms. “I expect the best service in this establishment. You’ll have to wait on me hand and foot.”

“Will you give me big tips?” Emily widened her eyes innocently. “You said that’s how you get the best service.”

Maggie swallowed a laugh.

Her sister groaned. “I thought a niece did those things for her favorite aunt out of the goodness of her heart.”

“Does that mean for free?”

“I don’t know where you get that precocious streak from,” Tracy grumbled.

“Don’t you?” Maggie arched an eyebrow.

The doorbell rang with a familiar double peal.

“That’s Amy. Can I go and play with her?” Emily skipped from foot to foot.

“What happened to looking after me?” Tracy whined theatrically.

“Mummy can do that. Besides, Amy’s mum is making brownies. With pecans and everything.” Emily turned to Maggie. “Please.”

“You may, but...” Her voice trailed off as her daughter thundered downstairs. “Make sure you’re back at noon,” she called out.

“Thanks, Mummy. You’re the best.” The front door opened, then slammed shut.

“Tossed over for brownies,” Tracy groused.

“Not just any brownies. They have pecans and everything.” Maggie tucked the quilt more closely around her sister. “Enjoy the peace and quiet while you can.”

Despite her banter with Emily, Tracy was pale, with dark circles under her eyes and a sheen of perspiration on her forehead. The journey from the hospital hadn’t been easy, with every bump taking its toll. “I’ll have plenty of time to rest, thanks to that doctor.”

“At least he agreed you could come home.”

“Only if I promised not to work for a week. I bet that’s Nurse Attila’s proviso.”

“She wants you to heal properly,” Maggie said.

“She doesn’t want me landing back in her ward anytime soon.”

“And you, such a model patient.” Maggie gathered some magazines and placed them nearby. “Time for more painkillers. Are you hungry? I could make you a snack.”

“I’m fine.” Tracy waved her hand impatiently. “Grab a chair and tell me what happened at the party.”

Maggie hesitated. She’d spent most of last night tossing and turning, her body strangely hot and prickly. Though she’d wanted to blame the heat, she knew full well what, or rather who, had caused her inability to relax and sleep.

Jake Badoletti.

The unwanted attraction that had flared during the meeting had remained with her long into the night. She’d berated herself for being susceptible to his roguish smile and easy charm. After everything she’d been through, she should have been immune to the tall, dark and dangerous sports star. His touch shouldn’t have made awareness tingle through her. His deep, rich voice shouldn’t have made her pulse skip as if each word was a seductive caress.

Why? She hadn’t reacted to a man in ages. She didn’t want to react to a man like Jake ever again.

Though he hadn’t acted like she’d expected—no superstar superiority complex, no outrageous demands or sleazy flirting—Maggie had learned the hard way not to be fooled by a handsome facade. To know a devil-may-care smile could hide darkness. She ran her finger over her cheek, the small scar a visible reminder of her last mistake.

Perhaps she was being unfair to Jake, tarring him with the same brush as Lee. But for Emily’s safety and Maggie’s peace of mind, she couldn’t afford to relax her guard.

Besides, she wouldn’t see him again. Tracy would handle all further communication with him. Maggie ignored the twinge in her chest at that thought.

“Was anyone interesting at the party?” Tracy asked.

Safe ground. “I’m sure there were loads of famous people, but I didn’t recognize many. I saw that sexy guy from CSI who’s doing a guest stint with CSI: New York.” She sat in the armchair by the bed. “Apparently, that bloke we liked from Sex and the City dropped by, but I didn’t see him.”

“Bloody typical. I miss all the fun.”

“Weren’t you the one who sat near Tim Robbins at Madison Square Garden? I’ve lost track of all the stars you’ve seen at Yankee Stadium.”

“But I’ve never been to a bash like Jake’s.”

“It wasn’t anything special.”

“I’m not as blasé as you about hobnobbing with celebrities.”

“Jaded, rather than blasé,” Maggie said softly.

“Well, you were one of them, not long ago.”

“Hardly. My only real claim to fame was being a WAG.”

“Being one of the footballers’ wives and girlfriends makes you a celebrity, too.”

“Only because every moment of your life is covered endlessly in the press. What you wear, what you eat, how you look—it’s all discussed and analysed. The paparazzi follow you everywhere, watching and waiting. The appeal of having my picture on the cover of all the magazines and being recognized in the supermarket wore off a long time ago.”

Much to Lee’s displeasure. When she’d first married him, she’d loved the publicity and lifestyle that went with being part of a celebrity couple. It hadn’t taken long for the glamour to fade. For her to tire of having every moment of her life controlled by her ex to optimize media opportunities. “Lee still chases the headlines and the column inches. He’s desperate to be another David Beckham.”

“He’s not a good enough footballer. He’s never played for one of the top Premier League teams or been picked for England.”

Painful memories of what had happened every time Lee hadn’t been selected flickered through Maggie’s mind. Her now-healed arm twinged.

Her reaction must have shown, because Tracy changed the subject, her tone brisk. “How did the meeting with Jake go?”

“Fine.” Maggie pushed the past aside. “He was pleased with the move, but he wants somewhere else.”

“Really? I was sure he’d love that apartment.”

“Apparently, Manhattan is too distracting.” Maggie added air quotes. She found it hard to believe an athlete with his reputation wanted a sedate life in the suburbs. “He wants to concentrate on hockey.”

“Moving to a new team is quite an upheaval, and it’ll be a tough start to the season because he hasn’t played in six months. It’s hard keeping up with that life when you’re healthy, let alone when you’ve been injured so badly.”

“True.” She’d struggled to cope after Emily’s birth and had wanted desperately to withdraw from the social whirl, but Lee had insisted she continue. It had taken a doctor’s intervention to get some respite. “Still, it seems a little sudden.”

“He’s probably one of those people who makes up his mind to do something and wants it done now, now, now.”

“That, I can believe.”

“What’s he after?”

“A house with at least three bedrooms and a large garden.” Maggie explained briefly what she and Jake had discussed. “Honestly, I don’t think he’s thought through what he really wants. So I’d recommend somewhere with the flexibility to adapt to his needs, like adding a home gym.”

“Sounds good.” Tracy winced as she straightened. “I should get on this right away.”

“You’re not up to it.” Maggie shook her head. “No business for a week, remember?”

“That was before I knew Bad Boy wanted to buy a house.”

“He can wait until you’re better.”

“Even if he’s willing to delay, the Ice Cats won’t be happy. This project is a big step up from the ad hoc assignments I’ve done for them and the clock’s ticking. Until Jake signs to say the job’s finished to his satisfaction, Making Your Move won’t get that retainer.” Tracy’s words tumbled over each other as her voice rose in pitch. “I can’t risk them changing their minds. Becoming their sole contractor for player moves for the next five years would make my business financially secure. Everything has to be perfect.”