“So why’d you leave your girlfriend?”
“She’s not my girlfriend, she’s just a friend.”
“A friend with kinky benefits.” She wiggled her eyebrows but her gut twisted into a knot. Why did she ask when she really didn’t want to know?
He took his eyes off the road and awarded her comment with another frown. “We have an understanding. We can see other people.”
“I think the reason some movies do so well is because the on-screen couple are an item away from the cameras too. I bet it’ll be great for your movie. Victoria’s gorgeous and popular.”
He didn’t respond just gave her another frown.
Oh God, she was rambling about a stupid movie. Being cocooned in the dark, small space of the car with Ethan had her blurting out nonsense. She looked out the windscreen, kept her mouth shut and watched Sydney pass in a blur of coloured lights.
Over the sound of the music playing, Holly’s stomach growled with hunger. Her hands shot to the offending sound, embarrassed it’d made such a noise. She hadn’t eaten since the blueberry muffin during her break, and the ones she’d saved for later where in her luggage in Shaun’s car.
Instead of being a gentleman and pretending he heard nothing, Ethan laughed, “Hungry?”
When she was about to deny it, the rumbling hit again and she winced. “Just a little.”
“Come on, you need food before you pass out.” He drove for a few minutes. Parked, and got out of the car. “Spiral’s nearby.”
There was no way she could afford to eat at the Michelin star restaurant. She’d dined in the same one in Melbourne with her family, even the water was too expensive.
She got out of the car and scanned the street. There was a café not far away that wouldn’t leave her broke. “I don’t feel like anything fancy. Ever been to Rustys?” When he shook his head, she added, “It’s only one of the best cafés in town. You have to try it.” Without waiting for him to respond, she began walking in the café’s direction.
With two long strides, he was at her side, so close that their hands brushed together. A tingling sensation travelled up her arm and she had a strong urge to entwine her fingers with his. She took a step aside, putting space between the man who one; wasn’t available and two, well, was a man and she was keeping away from the opposite sex.
At this later time of night, pedestrian traffic still flowed through the streets. An older couple strolled hand in hand in front of them and three teenage boys dangerously dodged cars as they ran across the street. Up ahead, two old men—one playing a violin, the other a guitar, sat on stools. The musicians had gathered a crowd of onlookers. No one paid Holly and Ethan any attention as they walked by, too entertained by the lively music. Holly noticed Ethan kept to the shadows of the closed shops. It must be hard trying to stay incognito when you were such a famous actor.
When they reached the café, Ethan stopped short; a look of displeasure on his face. “Pies?”
Holly laughed, “Not just any pies. You’ve never had one that tastes this good before. Trust me.” This time she took his hand ignoring how strong and comfortable it felt clasped with hers and towed him closer to the window to order.
The man standing behind the counter eyes bulged out of his head when he saw Ethan. “No one’s gonna believe me when I tell themEthan Doylewas at my shop. Can I get a photo?”
“Sure,” Ethan answered, reaching out for the guy’s phone.
After they took the photo, Holly ordered a mushroom and steak pie and Ethan chose a gourmet cheese and bacon one. Trust Ethan to go that little bit fancier. Holly went to pay but Ethan stopped her. “It’s on me.”
“You don’t have to do that.” He’d done so much for her already, buying him a pie was the least she could do to repay him.
“I want to.” His tone was final, and she didn’t bother arguing. She was too hungry to waste precious time fighting over the bill when she could be sinking her teeth into pastry goodness.
“Thanks,” she said.
When the server passed them their order, Ethan handed him what appeared to be a few folded hundred-dollar notes. “Can you not post anything or tell anyone we’re here until after we’ve gone? I’d like to have this beautiful woman all to myself for a while.”
Beautiful woman?Holly had to stop herself from looking over her shoulders in case he was talking about someone behind her. A flutter spread in her belly and this time it wasn’t from hunger pangs.
The guy’s eyes lit up at the amount of money in his hand. “Sure thing. There’s a table around the back. It’s a little dark, no one should see you there.”
Ethan grabbed their food and headed behind of the café. The shops in the area were long closed and like the guy said, it was dark. The only soft light coming from the streets.
“I hope we don’t get mugged.” Holly glanced around nervously before she sat on the timber bench seat.
Ethan laughed, “I think we’ll be okay.”
Holly couldn’t wait any longer, the smell of spicy beef drifted to her nose and made her mouth water. She tore into the paper bag. She took a huge bite and moaned. “Oh my God, this is heaven. It’s so good.” She glanced up at Ethan to check if he was enjoying his too, he hadn’t even taken it out of the bag. He stared at her mouth with intensity.
