‘Okay.’ But Kyle’s expression implied he didn’t believe him for a second. ‘So why did you want to talk to me about Bindi beyond asking if she’s settling in? You could’ve called to ask that.’
‘Like you, I get the feeling she’s not entirely happy about being back in town, and I know you two were closer than I ever was with her, so I thought a little insight might make our working relationship easier.’
‘She’s hurting,’ Kyle said, his expression pained. ‘I thought there was something up at the trivia night, that she seemed overly snarky with Thommo and Robbo, but put it down to her readjusting to the gang. But when we were chatting this afternoon …’ He shook his head. ‘I got a glimpse past her defiance and it made me wish she trusted me enough to confide.’
‘Give her time, mate. For what it’s worth, I think she could do with some caring friends right now, and that’s the two of us.’
Kyle’s eyebrows rose slightly. ‘You’ve mellowed since you’ve been back. I like this new, improved Cruz Wardlow.’
‘Don’t get used to it. You’ll revert to hating me in twelve months when you’re out of a job.’
‘Since when did I ever hate you?’
They chuckled, but once again, the pang in Cruz’s chest at the thought of selling the farm surprised him.
Maybe Kyle was right? Cruz hadn’t just mellowed; he’d gone completely soft.
CHAPTER
45
When Elora entered the homestead’s kitchen, she found a note on the counter:Meet me by the fire pit.
Smiling at Cruz’s romantic streak, she let herself out and walked towards the pit, where he’d already lit a fire. As she drew closer, the flames cast a golden glow over him, and her breath hitched at the way he stared at her: like she’d morphed into the tastiest tiramisu and he wanted to devour her.
‘We have to stop meeting here like this,’ she said, sitting next to him and accepting a filled champagne flute. ‘What are we celebrating?’
‘You and the inherent goodness that meant you forgave a grump like me.’ He clinked her glass. ‘To you, El.’
She almost added, ‘To us,’ but thought it might be too much, too soon. Cruz inviting her back could be a simple act of convenience, having her onsite to promote his precious restaurant. Besides, just because he had the hots for her didn’t mean he shared a smidgeon of the feelings she’d fast developed for him.
It irked that an initial physical attraction had morphed into more. Considering the brief time they’d known each other, the change was unfathomable and illogical. Andtransient. She may crave a real relationship to give her the stability she’d been searching for, but Cruz couldn’t be the person she needed. Whatever developed between them had an expiration date. If only her stupid, impressionable heart would get with the program.
‘How’s Bindi?’
‘Okay. We had a good chat.’
‘She was seriously freaked out that we knew she was homeless.’
‘Yeah, but she knows our concern comes from a good place.’
The corners of his mouth twitched. ‘She’s a feisty one, telling me to shove my job when she needs it so badly.’
‘That’s her pride talking. I think she’s faced far worse than either of us can imagine, so I encouraged her to seek professional help.’
‘How did she take it?’
‘Well. Considering.’
‘I had a chat with Kyle about her, seeing as they worked together this afternoon. He doesn’t know she’s homeless, but he’s concerned, so it’ll be good for her to have a friend like him around. Plus, I’ll do my best to support her in the job, and if she needs another friend.’
Warmth spread through Elora and it had nothing to do with the fire. ‘I was right when I initially told her you were a good guy.’
‘I can be bad if you want me to be.’ He wiggled his eyebrows and she laughed, leaning into him when he slid an arm around her waist. ‘This is nice.’
‘Yeah. The perfect way to unwind at the end of a day.’
‘I can think of better ways.’
