“Yeah, Kate can be a bit of a whiner when she’s sick,” he added. “I was there last year when she got a cold about this time. It was the worst. I don’t think I’m even that bad,” he chuckled.
“How long have you lived here? In the building I mean?” she glanced back at Toby, who was now trying to kiss the fish mural on the wall.
“Pretty much since it opened. The company took two apartments. I was fortunate to get one. Ian was offered, but having a family he opted to take a house outside of the city. Can’t say I blame him; I’d probably do the same.” He followed her gaze to Toby, but it was only a moment before it returned to her. “What about you?”
“What about me?” Penny asked perplexed.
“Are you the city type? Or more a suburban girl?”
She considered the question. It wasn’t something she’d ever been asked before.
“I guess I’m more of a suburban girl,” she smiled wistfully.
“What’s that about?” Mike asked, curious to find out what could make her smile.
“Oh, I was just remembering something from when I was young?” She looked at him, and after a while of him continuing to sit silently watching her, she continued, her gaze fixed on the distant memory. “I was raised in foster homes. This one family, the O’Connells, were really great.” She played with her cuticles as she spoke. “They had this really nice two storey house in the suburbs of London. It was the first time I’d ever been out of the city proper. It was really nice. No traffic and noise, just peaceful nights and a lawn. I’d never seen a lawn before then.”
Mike continued to watch her intently, not wanting to interrupt, lost in her memory.
“Out of all the families I lived with, they were my favourite. They treated me like one of their own, and I guess I came to associate that kind of life with suburbia,” she chortled. “Kinda silly isn’t it?” She turned to look at Mike then, and her breath caught.
She couldn’t describe the look on his face. He seemed engrossed in what she was saying. His eyes were settled on her, but not intrusive, as if he was truly listening. Almost like he cared, which was ridiculous.
Mike didn’t know her - why would he care? Still, she couldn’t help but be transfixed by that look, and for the first time she realised, he wasn’t bad to look at.
His eyes were intense, piercing blue. Even with his face still, there was gentleness in his appearance, despite his overwhelming size, seated in a chair built for children.
“You’re staring,” Mike commented, his dimples showing.
Slightly startled she replied, “So are you.”
“I guess I found something nice to look at.” A soft snorted escaped him as Penny’s face reddened. “Yeah, that was corny,” he added.
Penny laughed harder. “Yes, it was.” She rose from her seat to collect Toby before he ate one of the fish. Mike followed.
“I was just thinking,” he said, standing beside her, waggling his fingers in front of Toby. “You’re only here for a few days. You should see the city before the real Christmas rush breaks in. How about I pick you up tomorrow and show you around Manhattan a little?”
Toby stretched out his arms, trying to get from Penny to Mike. She let him go as she considered the invitation. Mike hoisted the toddler above his head, making him giggle, before settling him in his arms.
Penny watched the exchange, which somehow, made her feel more at ease.
“What time?” she asked, laying a gentle hand upon Toby’s back.
He smiled. “Lunchtime sound good?”
“I’ll be ready.”
