The Boy Toy - Nicola Marsh Page 0,60
audition yesterday for a really big role, and I got it.”
“Congratulations, Rory, I’m so happy for you.” She hugged him, before stepping back to eyeball him. “But there aren’t too many stuntman roles that pay that kind of money, so where are you really getting it?” Concern creased her brow. “I hope you’re not taking a loan for this—”
“I landed the role of host on a new reality show, so no leaping off tall buildings or high-speed car chases this time.”
She gaped for a moment, before eyeing him with admiration. “I’m so proud of you. I always knew you could take on a speaking role.”
“I didn’t, but this program and the foundation we’re setting up is important to me, and I want these kids here to have the opportunities I did.”
“You’re a good guy, Rory Radcliffe,” she said, her words echoing Samira’s from last night and making him blush.
“Obviously, I don’t have the money yet, but my agent emailed through the contract this morning, and I get ten grand on signing, and more as filming starts, after the first five episodes, that kind of thing, on a sliding scale.”
A shadow passed over her face. “Are you sure about this? Ten thousand dollars is a lot of money. You could put a deposit on a home or save it or—”
“I want to do this,” he said, his authoritative tone brooking no argument. “Give me the banking details, and I’ll forward the money across as soon as I get it.”
She flung her arms around him again and hugged tight before releasing him. “So many kids are going to benefit from this thanks to your generosity.”
“I’m counting on it.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder toward the doorway. “There’s a kid out there, Davey. His stutter is pretty bad, and he’s on the outs with the other kids because of it. He’s keen to work hard.”
“I’ll make sure he does,” she said, her knowing expression alerting him that she knew why he’d mentioned Davey—because he saw so much of himself in the kid. “Thanks again, Rory. You’ve really come through for us.”
“My pleasure. I’ll be in touch.” He glanced around the hall, pleased with how everything was coming together from the vision the two of them first had. “And I’m happy to take as much of an active role in the program as you need, like dropping by occasionally to having informal chats with the kids, that kind of thing?”
“Great.” Her beatific smile made him feel like he’d hung those posters with sheer willpower alone.
As she returned to her task, he wondered if she knew what a difference she’d made in his life and how this donation was a small gesture of eternal gratitude.
Amelia really had changed his life, and he hoped she could do the same for these less-fortunate kids.
Twenty-Eight
Samira had managed to get through the workday without spilling her secret to Pia. She’d wanted to blab so many times but knew it would be better to wait until they met after work for handover.
Knowing Pia, she’d have a stack of files to go through regarding management of the center, despite her only going away for a month. Besides, Samira wouldn’t have to do much beyond oversee any major decisions. Their office manager was extremely competent, and Samira wished she could poach her to run her practice back in LA.
A sliver of unease made her rub her bare arms. Every time she’d thought about returning to LA over the last twenty-four hours she’d had the same reaction. She’d treated this six-month stay in Melbourne as a jaunt, a way to re-bond with her mother while helping her cousin. But LA was her home these days, and she’d looked forward to heading back.
Yet the moment she’d discovered she was pregnant, the ties that bound her to Melbourne tightened around her, and oddly, they didn’t feel so constricting. The baby’s father lived here. Her mom lived here. Her best friend/cousin lived here. A support network a single mother needed.
But could she do it?
Move back to the city she’d fled because an entire community had judged her and found her lacking?
Have her mom love the baby but give her side-eye because of who the father was and their lack of wedding rings?
Give up the comfort of having an ocean between them when her mom’s matchmaking grew unbearable?
She knew Kushi. The minute she learned about this pregnancy, she’d be booking the town hall for a reception. Not that her mom needed an excuse, but having