Page 53

‘Why are we doing this?’ Jake asked. ‘Really?’

Amelia considered. ‘Because communities deserve to survive. Because—’ She paused. ‘Because building things matters. Creating something beautiful and functional that will last. That matters.’

‘That’s why you should stay in building,’ Jake said. ‘Architecture is great, but there’s something about hands-on construction. Seeing the immediate results, knowing you personally made something exist that didn’t before.’

‘You really think I’m good at this?’ Amelia asked.

‘I think you’re exceptional at this,’ Jake said firmly. ‘In two months, you’ve learned what takes most people a year. You see structures intuitively. You lead naturally. You’re patient with problems and creative with solutions. And—’ he paused ‘—you care about it. Really care. Not just about the work, but about why it matters. That’s what makes a great builder.’

‘So, what do I do?’ Amelia asked. ‘After this project? Do I go back to England, start university, and do the architecture degree I deferred?’

‘Do you want to?’ Jake asked carefully.

‘I don’t know anymore,’ Amelia admitted. ‘Three months ago, architecture was the plan. The sensible career, good prospects, respectable profession. But now—’

‘Now you’ve built things with your hands and discovered you love it,’ Jake finished.

‘Yeah.’

They sat in silence for a while, the question hanging between them. Below, the last of the party-goers were leaving, calling goodnights.

‘Can I tell you what I want?’ Jake asked, finally.

‘Please.’

‘I want you to stay in Australia. Do your degree here. Work on projects with me—as my colleague.’ He paused. ‘And I want to take you to dinner properly, date you as you deserve, see if this thing between us is as real as I think it is.’

‘It is,’ Amelia said quietly. ‘Real, I mean. I already know.’

‘So do I,’ Jake admitted. ‘But I want to do it right. Court you properly. Give us a real chance without the pressure of this project looming over everything.’

‘How long?’ Amelia asked.

‘Project’s probably got another two months,’ Jake said. ‘Maybe three. Then we’ll need a few weeks for finishing touches and opening preparations.’

‘Four months of being colleagues who are clearly in love but doing this noble waiting thing,’ Amelia parroted Sophie.

‘When you put it like that, it sounds ridiculous,’ Jake admitted.

‘It is ridiculous,’ Amelia said. ‘But it’s also kind of romantic. In a frustrating, Victorian-novel sort of way.’

Jake laughed. ‘I’ll take that as a compliment.’

‘You should,’ Amelia said. ‘Not many modern men would be this patient.’

‘Trust me,’ Jake said, his voice dropping, ‘I’m not being patient by choice. I’m being patient by necessity. Because you’re worth waiting for, and I want to do this right.’

He pulled something from his pocket—a small box. ‘I want you to have this. Not now, not as a proposal. But as a promise.’

Amelia opened it to find a ring—simple, beautiful, with a small Queensland sapphire winking in the moonlight.

‘Macca found the sapphire fossicking at Anakie,’ Jake explained. ‘I had it set in Brisbane last week. It’s a promise ring. Promise that when this project’s done, we do this for real. Properly. Honestly. With everyone knowing and no professional boundaries to worry about.’

‘Jake,’ Amelia breathed, looking at the ring. ‘It’s beautiful.’

‘Try it on?’ Jake suggested.

Amelia slipped it onto her right hand—not an engagement ring, not yet, but a promise. It fit perfectly.