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Glancing back at him, she saw his eyelashes flutter, then two dark eyes, sensual with sleep, locked with hers.
Another second and Oliver propped himself up on one elbow, rubbed his eyes. “Was I asleep?” He smoothed a hand through his hair, and she wanted to beg him to leave it be.
“I think you probably were.” She smiled beatifically to try and hide her massive blush-fest. “I’ve brought you a cup of tea.”
“Thank you.” He sat up now and swung his legs off the couch. “I possibly over-indulged on alcohol last night,” he added with a little grimace.
“Really?” She popped her eyes at him. “I didn’t notice.” She handed him the cup of tea.
He took it, chin dipped, with a hint of a smile, and again that glimmer of vulnerability hit her heartstrings with an almost audible twang.
“How are you feeling now?” she asked.
“Much better, I purged thoroughly, took some paracetamol, and then must have fallen asleep. For quite some time, I think.” He flicked a look at the gold watch on his wrist. “Jesus, is it really two o’clock? I’ve been out cold for hours.”
“You must have needed it.”
She went over to his desk and sat on his fancy ergonomic chair while he sipped the tea.
Suddenly feeling awkward, she swivelled and studied his desk. “Your desk is very ordered.”
“You mean anal.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You were thinking it.”
She huffed out a laugh. “Do you measure between objects to make sure the distances are exact?”
“I do it by eye.”
“Good eye.”
“Years of practice.”
Another silence. She reallyhadto raise last night. “I just took Henry and Gabe to the airport in the Shaggin’ Wagon. Sheila gave very good directions.”
He looked baffled. “Who’s Sheila?”
“Google maps, Sheila.”
“Hah.”
“I’ve worked out that with Sheila’s help I can go up the coast. Someone told me there’s a place you’re guaranteed to see dolphins, a gaggle of them come to the beach every morning without fail. Is that what it’s called, a gaggle of dolphins?”
“Pod. A pod of dolphins.”
“Yes, and they swim around you in the water, you can get right up close apparently. Do you know it?”
“Monkey Mia.”
“That’s it. I knew it had some animal name not at all associated with dolphins. So, I really wanted to say that—um—your offer. Last night at the wedding. To come with me to Sydney. It’s not at all necessary. You are summarily released from your contractual obligations.”
“Okay.”
She swallowed and tried to sound casual. “Okay, as in you won’t come?”
“As in, okay I hear you.” A smile hovered at the corner of his mouth. Darn it, was he playing her? She felt like he was dangling a carrot and she was about to be the daft donkey that trotted after it.
