The Man Ban

by Nicola Marsh

  It made him wonder, who had dented Harper’s confidence?

  “You don’t believe me?”

  Her shoulders lifted in a shrug. “You’re a charmer. Stands to reason you’d say something like that when we’re out for a stroll on a balmy Auckland night.”

  Her dismissiveness annoyed him. “I’m not used to saying things I don’t mean.”

  She snorted. “Yes you are. You’re a practiced flirt, Manny, and a damn good one. It’s okay. I like a bit of romance like the next girl, so keep paying me compliments, but please don’t go all serious on me like you expect me to believe them.”

  He released her hands and took a step back, because being this close to her didn’t help him think. He didn’t like being labeled insincere. Nor did he like the tiny voice inside his head whispering, why do you care?

  He’d always been this way. The class clown. The joker. The flirt. The only time his sense of humor had deserted him was after his mom died, and he never wanted to return to that dark time when he’d lost a shitload of weight and buried himself in work and nothing else.

  It had been Izzy who’d snapped him out of his funk six long months later. She’d had a transient ischemic attack, and he’d realized that her worrying about him could rob him of his last remaining family member. His gran had recovered from the TIA quickly, but it had been the wake-up call he’d needed, and he’d started making her laugh again.

  Over time, he’d reverted to being the guy everyone wanted at a party, the guy women liked being around because he made them feel good about themselves. Being that guy was the best because it allowed him to do the one thing he’d vowed after his mom died: to never let anyone get too close again.

  Izzy often asked why he’d never married, why he insisted on being so stubborn in forgoing any lasting relationships, and he’d fobbed her off repeatedly. How could he articulate to his grandmother that the guilt over his mom’s death still haunted him most nights when he lay in bed at the end of a long shift, ruminating on how he saved lives at the hospital but he couldn’t save his own mother.

  “I’ve insulted you.” Harper laid a hand on his arm, and he allowed it to linger a moment, biting back the urge to tell her how badly he wanted her hands all over him, before shrugging her off. “Sorry.”

  He wanted to say, No, you’re not, but being churlish wouldn’t get this night back on track, and the last thing he needed with this woman staring at him with concern was to potentially blurt out why her offhand comment had stung so badly.

  “Want to head down to the waterfront? I hear they’ve got some great cafés down there, and we could get a coffee?”

  Thankfully, she bought his deflection. “Sounds good.”

  “Will you slug me if I take hold of your hand again?”

  She tilted her chin up, a smile playing about her mouth. “Why don’t you try it and find out?”

  He slid his hand into hers, feigning a duck that made her laugh. “Come on, slugger, let’s go get that coffee.”

  They strolled in companionable silence, along streets filled with restaurants and boutiques. He’d flipped through a brochure in his hotel room on the first day and seen the Viaduct was the place to be on the waterfront, and as they reached the harbor, he could see why. Restaurants, cafés, and bars lined the wooden boardwalks, overlooking the boats moored in a sheltered harbor.

  The smell of sizzling onions, fresh sushi, and spicy Mexican mingled with a tempting aroma of coffee beans.

  “This place is great,” Harper said, picking up the pace and tugging on his hand like an excited child. “Shall we walk a little farther before having a coffee?”

  He’d do anything she asked if it brought that excitement to her face, the kind that made her eyes glow and her cheeks flush.

  “Sure.” He pointed to a large wooden building at the end of a pier. “Pity the New Zealand Maritime Museum isn’t open. I’m such a geek for places like that.”

  “Me too,” she said, staring at him with wonder in her eyes.

  “Careful there, Miss Ryland. It almost sounded like you admitted to having something in common with me.”

  She rolled her eyes, but she hadn’t stopped grinning. “Pity I won’t have time to check it out. I have to leave for Lake Taupo tomorrow.”

  Her grin faded and the light in her eyes dimmed. “I’m hoping the new hotel up there has lined up another assistant for me, considering Kylie has pulled out of this job completely.”

  Manny had never been prone to brain fades. He couldn’t afford them in his line of work. Being in charge of a bustling ER meant having his wits about him at all times. So he had no idea what prompted him to say, “I could help you out there too?”

  The moment the offer fell from his lips, he waited for regret to set in. He needed a few days’ R&R desperately. What he didn’t need was more time hefting platters and being told what to do and how to place hoki on a plate.

  But the regret didn’t come, and he knew why. The longer Harper stared at him with shock in her wide blue eyes, he knew he’d give anything to spend more time with her, even as her lackey.

  “Why would you want to do that?” She gave a little shake of her head as if trying to clear it. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, you really helped me out of a jam these last two days, but why would you want to traipse to Taupo and do more of the same when you could be chilling here?”

  “Chilling’s overrated.” He shrugged, before tugging on her hand and bringing her closer. “Besides, having you order me around for another day or two won’t be so bad if I get to spend time with you like this afterward.”

  That worried frown was back as she gnawed on her bottom lip. He could see indecision warring with hope in her expressive eyes, and damned if he didn’t want to nibble on that lip too.

  “I really don’t see what you get out of this—”

  “It’s a genuine offer. Take it or leave it.”

  To his surprise, she flung herself at him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and buried her face against his chest, murmuring, “Thank you.”

  As his arms tightened around her waist, he should make light of her response. He should tease her about it, make her laugh.

  But it was difficult to formulate any kind of answer with shock ricocheting through him that having her in his arms like this felt so right.

  He liked helping people. He’d always been a rescuer. Valid qualities for someone in his profession.

  But the feelings rioting through him had nothing to do with being a doctor and everything to do with falling for a woman for the first time.

  19

  Harper had dated extensively before her yearlong relationship with Colin. In that time, she’d been lucky enough to be taken on some pretty romantic dates. One guy had taken her to the ballet at the Victorian Arts Center, another had squired her to dinner at Vue de Monde on the fiftieth floor of the Rialto building. Even Colin had spent a small fortune on tickets for the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child stage play because he knew she’d read the entire series three times.

  So how could sitting on a wrought iron bench overlooking Viaduct Harbor, holding a takeout coffee cup, trading quips with Manny, top all those in the romance stakes?

  It wasn’t like they were alone either. People strolled along the boardwalk regularly, stopping to admire the moon’s reflection shimmering on the water. Muted jazz spilled from a nearby Japanese fusion restaurant. And the raucous laughter of a bunch of college kids sitting at outdoor tables at an upmarket bar frequently punctuated the peace.

  None of it mattered, because sitting next to Manny on this bench, his shoulder touching hers, his knee occasionally grazing hers, the scent of his crisp cologne wafting toward her on the breeze, officially made this the most romantic night of her life.

  She knew it was him more than anything. His generosity in offering to come to her aid again, his ability to make her laugh, his
way of looking at her that made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

  Crazy and delusional, because she could never be that for him, but for tonight, in this gorgeous city, with the moon reflecting in the water’s gently rippling surface, it was okay for her to have stars in her eyes.

  “Tell me about your job,” she said, needing a hard dose of reality before she clambered on his lap and kissed him.

  “That’s a date damper if ever I heard one.”

  “But we’re not on a date.”

  “Could’ve fooled me.” He opened his mouth in an exaggerated yawn, stretched his arm, then draped it across the back of the bench, resting lightly on her shoulders. “See? Date.”

  “That’s the oldest, corniest move ever,” she said, laughing at his mock outrage.

  “I’ll have you know it worked for Danny Zuko in Grease.”

  Her eyebrows rose. “You’ve seen Grease?”

  “Hasn’t everyone?”

  “It’s an oldie but a goodie.”

  “I’ve also seen Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, Sleepless in Seattle, and Dirty Dancing at least twice.”

  “You have not.”

  “Have too. I’m a metro kind of guy.”

  “You’re just trying to impress me.”

  “Is it working?”

  He had no idea how much. “Guys don’t usually watch old romance flicks unless they’ve been duct-taped to the couch.”

  An odd expression akin to sadness flickered across his face before vanishing so quickly she wondered if she’d imagined it. “When I first started med school, I’d often pull all-nighters to cram in the studying I had to do, and sometimes when I staggered out of my room I’d find Mom asleep in front of the TV because she wanted to stay up as long as I did. She loved anything romantic so on a rare night off I’d watch one of her favorite films with her.”

  Something inexplicable and altogether terrifying tightened in Harper’s chest, making her want to haul this amazing guy into her arms and never let go.

  “I bet she loved that,” she said, not surprised emotion made her voice a tad huskier.

  “She did. It’s one of my best memories of her.”

  “How old were you when she died?”

  “Twenty-five. I’d just qualified.” He turned his head to stare at the water. “Turns out, no matter how good a doctor you are, you can’t save everybody.”

  She’d been privy to charming Manny, flirtatious Manny, confident Manny, so hearing him sound so bitter, so broken, humanized him more than anything he could’ve said.

  His jaw jutted, and a vein pulsed at his temple as he stared straight ahead, his gaze fixed, like he couldn’t bear looking at her, so she made a segue.

  “My parents separated about fourteen months ago, completely out of the blue, and while it’s not as hard as losing one of them, it’s tough.”

  Thankfully, his rigid expression eased as he turned to face her. “Sorry to hear that.”

  “Thanks. They’d been married thirty-five years and were one of the most committed couples I know, so it was a shock.”

  “I bet.” He hesitated, as if unsure how to ask more. “Any particular reason?”

  “Not that I know of. I used to have dinner with them every two weeks. Mom cooked a roast; Dad ate as fast as humanly possible before sitting in front of the TV to watch the footy. Then I rock up on this particular Sunday night fourteen months ago, they sit me down like I’m five, and tell me they’re separating. Dad looked shattered, Mom resigned.”

  She’d never forget being ambushed by the two people she trusted most. For as long as she could remember, it had been the three Rylands against the world. Her friends had been envious of the bond she’d shared with her folks, and while she’d rebelled in her teens with the usual hanging out too late, attending parties she shouldn’t, and leading Nishi astray, she’d liked knowing she had two people who had her back no matter what.

  At the time they’d separated she’d thought it would be temporary. A spat they’d work through, and reunite. Some argument that had escalated to harsh words being exchanged. Both her parents were notoriously stubborn, so she’d thought once their hot heads cooled down they’d get back together. Fourteen months later, she was still waiting.

  “Now Mom’s acting like nothing’s happened, and I think she may be dating again, and Dad’s still heartbroken and putting me in the middle. I hate it . . .” She shook her head, embarrassed by the tears stinging her eyes.

  Sensing her distress, his arm tightened around her shoulders. “Hey, you okay?”

  She waited a moment until the tightness in her throat eased before responding. “Yeah. Anyway, enough of my family drama. Ready to head back to the hotel?”

  “First, I’d like to make a toast.” He raised his takeout cup. “To us and the start of a beautiful friendship.”

  “To us.” She tapped her cup against his. “A couple of sad sacks who sure know how to ruin a first date.”

  “So this was a date?”

  “No,” she said, with a smile.

  “Actually, you’re right. When I take you on a first date, you’ll know.”

  “How?”

  He leaned in close, his warm breath tickling her ear. “I’m so into you that you’ll definitely find out.”

  20

  Manny sat on his balcony at the Storr Hotel in Lake Taupo, a beer and his laptop on the table in front of him. Beyond, a stunning vista stretched before him, the largest lake in New Zealand glistening in the late-afternoon sun. He should be relaxed. Instead, as he figured out the time difference between Taupo and Melbourne and waited for Izzy to wake from her afternoon nap before calling, a strange edginess gripped him.

  What the hell was he doing here?

  He should be back in Auckland, traipsing the streets, checking out art galleries, sampling some of the local cuisine, visiting the museum, even rappelling down Sky Tower. Instead, he’d signed on for another few days as Harper’s assistant, and every time he tried to fathom his impulsive offer it gave him a headache.

  He never went to these lengths for a woman, especially one who seemed to like him one minute and glare at him as if he had boy cooties the next. Though last night had been better and opening up about their families a tad had definitely brought them closer.

  Not that he’d told her much. Because every time he thought of his mom, her death, and the role he’d played in it, he wanted to puke.

  A ringtone sounded on his laptop, and he sat forward, glad for the distraction. If anyone could take his mind off things, it was Izzy.

  He pressed “answer” and her face shimmered into view. His gran had lost a lot of hair over the last few years after a perm gone wrong, and the lines bracketing her mouth had deepened, but her eyes were always the same: kind, serene, and filled with love.

  “Hey, Izzy. How are you?”

  “One foot in the grave, the other on a banana peel.”

  He chuckled at her standard greeting when she was feeling particularly ornery. “Your back playing up?”

  She made a pfft sound. “Don’t worry about me. Are you relaxing now the conference is over?”

  “Absolutely. I’m actually spending a few days in Lake Taupo.”

  Her thinning eyebrows shot up. “Lake where?”

  “It’s about four hours south of Auckland. It’s a beautiful town on the shores of a massive lake, the perfect place for relaxation.”

  “That was spur-of-the-moment.”

  “It was.”

  “Any particular reason?”

  He recognized the cunning glint in Izzy’s eyes. She thought his sudden jaunt involved a woman. Not that he’d confirm her suspicions. Izzy had already disparaged Harper at Nishi and Arun’s wedding; he didn’t need a lecture when he intended to enjoy this fleeting time with the beautiful brunette.

  “Som
eone at the hotel in Auckland recommended it, so here I am.”

  Not a lie entirely, but if Izzy knew he’d not only been Harper’s assistant in Auckland but was continuing his role for a few days here, she’d freak.

  He didn’t live his life according to what his grandmother wanted, but he didn’t want to cause her unnecessary angst either. She hadn’t had another TIA in fifteen years, but that had been a scary time, seeing her lying defenseless in a hospital bed, awaiting results of the CT scan and MRI. Getting her upset for nothing wasn’t good for her health.

  “As long as you enjoy yourself,” Izzy said, with a demure smile, but the spark in her eyes meant she could see right through him. “And whoever she is, I hope you have fun.”

  “Gran—”

  “Don’t you ‘Gran’ me, young man. I’ve been able to read you like a book from the time you were in diapers, and whatever you’re up to in Middle Earth, it definitely involves a woman.”

  He barked out a laugh. Only Izzy would make a Lord of the Rings reference. After all, she’d been the one to introduce him to the Tolkien series many years ago.

  “You know me too well,” he said.

  “I certainly do.” She made a shooing motion with her hands. “Go have your fun. Get it out of your system, because there’ll come a time very soon when you’ll have to settle down—”

  “You’re breaking up.” He grabbed a stack of writing paper off the table and scrunched it, making crackling sounds. “Love you. Gotta go.”

  She grinned, tut-tutting as she waggled her finger at the screen, before it went dark.

  He loved Izzy, he really did, but she had a one-track mind when it came to his love life, and if she had her way he would have an express ticket to Marriageville.

  His cell rang, and when he glanced at the screen he found himself smiling. How could Harper turn him into that guy, the guy who got a buzz just by seeing her name pop up on the screen?