Chapter 18
CHAPTER
‘Hey, wait up,’ Elora said, breaking into a jog to keep up with Cruz, who powered away from the pub.
He didn’t stop, and continued heading towards his car.
‘Nice,’ she muttered, her short legs no match for his, and by the time she reached the car, he had the passenger door open and the engine running.
‘What’s gotten into you?’ she asked, as she slid onto the passenger seat and closed the door.
She’d barely buckled up before he took off like he had demons hounding him.
‘Sorry, but I saw one of Dad’s old mates, Roger, making a bee-line for me and the last thing I felt like doing was stand around making small talk about Dad and pretending he was a good bloke.
’ Cruz gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles stood out.
‘Roger lives near the pub. There were nights when Dad was so drunk he wouldn’t come home, so good old Rog would let him bunk at his place. ’
At the risk of incurring his wrath, she said, ‘He sounds like a good friend. Wanting to say hello to the son of the best mate he lost isn’t unreasonable.’
He grunted as he turned onto the highway. ‘Whose side are you on anyway?’
‘Merely making an observation.’
‘Well, here’s another observation for you. For the remainder of your time here, I’m steering clear of the pub and I’m going to cook sample dishes for the restaurant and you’re going to be my taste tester.’
‘For real? You’re definitely doing it?’
‘Yeah.’
He shot her a sideways glance as he indicated and pulled into the farm’s main gates, the headlights highlighting the giant avocado that resembled a wonky lollipop, and the peeling paint of the sign attached beneath it.
She’d forgotten to mention it needed replacing.
First impressions count and to attract business, Cruz had to present the farm as modern and successful.
‘I never got to thank you for the idea. That’s what I wanted to say earlier today when I found you flirting with Kyle.’
‘Jealous?’
‘As if.’ He snorted. ‘But seriously, El, I’ve been so caught up in my misery of being stuck here for the next year that I probably never would’ve thought of opening a restaurant.
’ He pulled up outside the homestead and killed the engine before turning to face her.
‘You’ve given me some sense of normality in a world turned topsy-turvy, and I can’t thank you enough for that. ’
Two sensor lights turned on as they parked, illuminating his face in a golden glow, his genuine smile doing weird things to Elora’s heart. She didn’t want to feel anything for this man beyond attraction, but the hurt caused by his father tugged at her on a visceral level.
She empathised. But in her case, her parents had hurt her regularly without realising.
She’d learned about narcissists during her marketing degree, how pandering to them increased their sense of self-importance, and while her parents had never been mean, they’d been so self-absorbed they’d been clueless to her pain.
‘You’re welcome,’ she said, her voice a tad high. She cleared her throat. ‘I know you’re going to kill it with your restaurant.’
‘I might need someone to promote it,’ he said, arching a brow, and she resisted the urge to punch the air. As she hoped, he’d offered her the job to promote the restaurant, meaning her finances would recover. But someone else needed help too and he’d given her the perfect opportunity.
‘I assume you’ll need a hostess or waitress for the restaurant?’
He nodded. ‘You applying?’
She shook her head. ‘Bindi needs a job, and I got the impression it’s urgent.’
‘Kyle didn’t mention it and he’d know, what with his obsession.’
‘You noticed?’
They chuckled.
‘I think the only person who didn’t notice is Bindi, unless she did and doesn’t want to encourage him,’ she said. ‘Sounds like they’ve been friends for a long time.’
‘Bindi moved away so they probably lost touch, like I did with the gang.’ He looked away, focussing on the homestead. ‘The way they welcomed me tonight … I never expected it.’
‘Why? You’re an okay bloke when you lighten up.’
He turned to her, the corners of his mouth curving into a smile. ‘Just okay?’
She had no intention of telling him that, on a scale of okay to panty-shucking, he scored highly towards the latter.
‘Bindi said you were a loner at school.’
His smile faded. ‘Bindi needs to keep her mouth shut if she wants to work for me.’
Mentally cursing that she’d inadvertently damaged her new friend’s chance of employment, Elora said, ‘I think it’s great the way you all get on. My folks moved around so much when I was growing up that I never got to make friends. Ones that lasted, that is.’
‘I wouldn’t class the Galahs as friends.’
‘Really? They were interested in what you’ve been doing for the last ten years since you left town, they shared anecdotes, they teased you gently about your schooldays, and they made you laugh.
’ She held up her hands. ‘Don’t get me wrong, but from where I was sitting, that looked like a bunch of friends to me. ’
He glared at her, but she saw the moment his gaze softened. ‘I guess if I’m stuck here for the next year, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to hang out with them occasionally.’
She clapped. ‘Look at you, Mr Social.’
He laughed. ‘I’ve been an introvert my whole life. Give me a break.’
‘At the risk of you accusing me of butting in, why don’t you invite the gang over for dinner once you get the restaurant up and running? Kind of like a soft launch?’
‘That’s genius.’
When he smiled, her heart fluttered.
‘You haven’t figured out my talents in the few days we’ve known each other?’
He gazed at her mouth for a moment before meeting her eyes. ‘Oh, I’ve noticed your talents.’
She groaned. ‘That sounds sleazy.’
‘I’m not the one who almost kissed me at the pub.’
‘I did not!’ Her denial came swiftly before she could acknowledge the truth.
She’d absolutely wanted to pash him at the pub.
‘Keep telling yourself that.’
She guessed what would happen next, he’d bid her goodnight, so when he said, ‘Want to have a nightcap? I used to love sitting around the fire pit this time of night and contemplating the world. Might be nice to share a wine to wind down after the excitement of winning the trivia night?’ she couldn’t hide her surprise.
‘Sounds good.’ She managed to sound sedate as her pulse raced.
Sitting around a fire with a gorgeous guy she’d had carnal thoughts about mightn’t be the smartest thing she’d ever done, but she couldn’t resist. Cruz Wardlow tempted her that much.
‘I’ll meet you out back,’ he said, his gaze lingering on her mouth again before he got out of the car.
She took a few moments to catch her breath, watching the way the denim moulded to his butt as he stalked away didn’t help, and pondered again the wisdom of sleeping with her boss.