Nathan wasn’t going to be ignored. ‘Did you go on the jet boat?’
‘Of course.’
‘You’re obviously into speed.’ When he smiled his whole face lit up in a way she rarely saw.
‘I guess I am. Not that I’ve done anything extreme. Nor will I be. Safe and sensible is me.’
‘Nothing wrong with that.’ Nathan was watching her in a way that suggested he wanted to know more about what made her tick outside work. But he waited, didn’t push.
Which had her opening up a little. ‘I liked my sports, sailing on large yachts, going to rock concerts, things like that.’
‘Liked?’ he asked quietly. ‘Not any more?’
Thump. Reality check. Hurrying to deflect him, she spluttered, ‘Still like, but I don’t seem to find the time any more. Neither do I know anyone in Sydney with a yacht the size I’m used to.’ Actually, she did, but that family was part of the past, so she wasn’t paying them a visit any time soon. In fact, never.
‘I don’t suppose a three-metre Paper Tiger would suffice?’ Nathan wasn’t laughing at her, just keeping the conversation going on a comfortable level, like he was trying to stop her tripping into the black hole that was her past. He couldn’t be. He knew nothing about it. ‘My brother-in-law’s got one.’
A laugh huffed across her lips, surprising her. ‘Me? Actually sail a small yacht? I don’t think so. I’d probably fall off or drop the sail at the wrong moment.’
‘All part of learning to sail.’ He grinned, then told her about his misadventures on his surfboard.
* * *
Nearly an hour later people had finished eating, and were beginning to gather their gear together.
‘Guess it’s time to head away,’ Molly said reluctantly. It had been fun talking and laughing with everyone, but especially with Nathan. He was different away from work, more at ease with her somehow, talking about Queenstown, his car, and other things. He even laughed and smiled often. He was a man she liked and wanted to spend more time learning more about.
Nathan leaned closer, said quietly, ‘Feel like a ride in my car?’ There was a cheeky smile on that divine mouth, and something in his eyes that asked if she was up to it. ‘I can drop you home.’
Molly’s mouth dropped open. She snapped it closed. Then spluttered, ‘That’s not necessary. I’m fine with the train.’
Across the table Vicki rolled her hand from side to side. ‘Train or top-of-the-range sports car. I know which I’d prefer.’
So did she. Except the car meant being squashed into a confined space with a man. Not just any man. Nathan. Standing up, she said, oh, so casually, ‘It’s a long way to Bondi Junction.’
‘It’s on my way. I live in Coogee.’ When she raised her eyebrows, he continued in a voice that suggested he was determined she’d go with him, ‘I didn’t even finish one glass of champagne so you don’t have to worry about my driving.’
‘I wasn’t.’
Nathan shrugged. ‘Let’s fix our bills and get the car.’
‘Nathan, you don’t have to do this.’ At least he hadn’t offered to pay for her meal. Thank goodness for something, because she’d have argued hotly. Paying her own way meant never owing anyone anything. Her stomach was doing a squeeze and release thing, while her head spun with the thought she’d be crammed into a car with a male she didn’t know very well. With Nathan Lupton, sex on legs, kindness in his heart and, don’t forget, someone who was quick to get grumpy with her, but who she trusted not to hurt her.
‘You said you like fast cars.’
True. She couldn’t contain the smile splitting her face. Her first car had been a racy little number bought by her mother for her eighteenth birthday. She’d loved it. ‘But you can’t get up any speed between here and my apartment.’
‘Now, there’s a challenge.’ He smiled back and flipped a coin in the air, caught it and laughed.
* * *
Nathan watched the conflicting emotions zipping across Molly’s face and damned if they didn’t make him want to spend more time with her, not to prove he could win her over but because he just might like her. The challenge was heating up. Though not in the way he’d intended. The offer of a ride home was because on and off throughout breakfast he’d warmed to her more and more, therefore he didn’t want the morning to end.
Today Molly intrigued him. He was not walking away. Nope. The genuine happiness lightening her gaze throughout breakfast had stirred him in places usually unaffected by other people, and had him wishing for more, had him remembering he’d once had a heart and thinking he just might like to get it back—if he could find the courage. She’d be a keeper, if he wanted to get involved, and that was the problem. He didn’t. Here was the rub. He might be ready to start dating on a regular basis but the thought of anything permanent still freaked him out. To fall in love and have his heart torn out of his chest a second time was unimaginable.
‘Ready when you are.’ The smile lifting the enticing corners of Molly’s soft mouth was real, and not that strained, ‘smile if I absolutely have to’ version she was so good at. Seemed she’d quite quickly got over trying to talk him out of giving her a lift.
Because he wanted to believe Molly’s smile had been for him, he’d risk being hit over the head by teasing her. ‘You could seem more excited.’
‘Sure.’ She leaned in to give Vicki a hug. ‘Happy birthday. If you need some company later, give me a call.’
Vicki’s eyes lit up. ‘I might just do that. Shoe shopping comes to mind.’
Molly was looking surprised about something. It wouldn’t be shoes. Everyone knew of Vicki’s fetish for footwear. Something else had put the stunned look on her face.
‘You could do worse than hanging out with Vicki.’
She glanced down at her high-heeled, black-with-a-bow shoes. ‘I reckon.’ Then she looked back at him and shrugged, said with caution in her voice, ‘No time like now to get back into it.’
Get back into friendships? Again that protective need nudged, stronger this time. He felt certain something had gone amiss with Molly, something that kept her on edge and wary around her colleagues. ‘Vicki, you right for getting home?’
That cheeky grin flicked from him to Molly, then disappeared, unhappiness replacing it. ‘I’m fine.’
Only because his car was a two-seater, he nodded. ‘See you around three.’
‘You don’t have to coddle me because it’s my birthday. Anyway, I’m going shopping with Molly.’
‘Y
es, I do.’ Or Cole would have his guts for guitar strings. ‘Shop as much as you like but be home when I get there.’
Molly eyed first him then Vicki, who gave her a big smile before heading out the door. ‘You two are close.’ Something strangely like envy darkened her voice.
‘Her husband’s been my best mate from years back when we were into surfing. We continued our friendship into med school, and never stopped since.’ Cole had been there for him in the darkest days. Taking Molly’s elbow, he kept his touch light when he longed to pull her closer and breathe in that rich fragrance that was her. Funny but he hadn’t realised how often he’d smelled it until now. She really was doing a number on him, and didn’t have a clue. Which was something to be grateful for. That, and not how he was spending time with her, breaking down the barrier she kept between them.
‘You don’t surf now?’ When she tilted her head back to stare up at him it was almost impossible not to reach across to tuck some wayward curls behind her ear.
Resisting required effort, so it took time to answer. ‘Occasionally I chase a wave out where I live but not as often as I used to. Cole joined the army and I broke an ankle. That didn’t prevent me getting back on the board once the bones mended, but around that time specialised study began taking up all my spare hours.’
What was left had been for Rosie. Rosie. His heart wavered. The love of his life. Nothing like Molly. Would he have taken a second look if she had been? It would be too strange.
Hang on. Second look? There’d been a third, fourth and more. He shivered, suddenly afraid of where this might lead. All the moisture in Nathan’s mouth dried up. He might be getting closer to stepping off the edge in the hope of finding that deep, loving happiness he’d once known, but what if it all went sour? Turned to dislike instead? Or worse, what if he fell in love with a woman he couldn’t make happy because of his past?
They reached his car. ‘What’s your address in Bondi Junction?’