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‘Rick, I—’
‘It’s okay,’ he said, pulling his hulking form from his chair. ‘I know.’
As he passed, Rick kissed the top of her head, then left her alone, and she felt as if she had only just met him for the first time.
And as such she realised how much catching up she had to do and with so little time in which to do it.
After Kane had fallen asleep James sat slumped down into a sofa in the unlit lounge room. It was still sweltering hot and he could smell the scent of a coming storm on the air.
‘I was thinking of having a quick cup of tea before I head off,’ Matt said. ‘Would you like one? Hot? Iced?’
James nodded. ‘Whatever you’re having, thanks, mate.’
Hot? Cold? It didn’t really matter. It was all an excuse to get Matt to stay. He needed to talk. And somehow he knew that talking to his blog simply wouldn’t cut it this time.
Over the last months his blog had been helpful in getting his feelings off his chest, but now he needed someone to talk back. He needed answers.
‘You’ve got a whole new furrow in your brow that I haven’t seen before and for a guy with as many furrows as you that’s saying something,’ Matt said once he had settled.
James grimaced. ‘Furrows are distinguished, right?’
‘Unfortunately the best I could hope for would be distinguished; on you they’re just handsome.’
‘You think?’ James asked, the beginnings of a smile taking the tension from his forehead.
‘Don’t get me wrong, buddy. I wouldn’t have a clue. I’m only repeating what I hear around the traps.’
‘You been talking to Mandy again?’
Matt took a sip of his tea, but James saw the pink come and go in his friend’s cheeks. ‘Her, and others. Now, back to the subject at hand. I’m thinking this new furro
w is all about the girl.’
‘You’d be thinking right,’ James said.
‘Siena’s into you, mate. That much is as obvious as the furrows on your handsome brow. Heck, even Mandy couldn’t wait five minutes after you left the school today before ringing me to chastise me for not giving her the whole picture about her.’
He was sure Matt was on the money there. The way she’d watched him when she’d thought he wasn’t looking. The way she’d found an excuse to spend time with him had been almost as feeble as the one he had found to spend time with her.
And then there was the way she had responded to his kiss. Her whole body had flickered to life, melting into him, her amazing energy wrapping itself about him like an electrical coil.
‘I kissed her,’ James admitted.
‘Whoa.’
‘I think Kane may have seen it.’ ‘Oh, boy.’
James leant forward, sinking his chin into his left palm, and ran hard fingers across his mouth. ‘And I asked her to stay.’
‘Man.’ Matt breathed slowly out. ‘I knew that you two were sparky together, but do you think you might be rushing this a little, buddy?’
‘I don’t have a choice. She came to town for a job interview. Her boss offered her a job in Rome. And tomorrow afternoon she has to give him her decision before flying home to Melbourne. I don’t have the luxury of dating, wooing, taking my time.’
‘She seems a right royal cracker of a girl, but are you sure she’s as far along on this thing as you are?’
‘I overheard her telling Kane that I am the greatest man she has ever known.’
Matt’s expression showed he wasn’t nearly as convinced by that statement as James had been.
