My Aussie Guy - Liz Lovelock Page 0,15

myself tell that lie?

Now, how do I go about telling Elsie the truth?

Not going to happen tonight.

“All right, guys. Let’s go. I bet we’re going to have to sit separate because it’s a new movie,” Dane says as he takes off toward the cinema with us all following. Elsie stays beside me, and I catch her glancing up often as we walk. We don’t really talk, except for the odd question here and there.

When we arrive at the cinema, I see Dane was right. It is crowded. If we don’t want to sit right up in the front, we all have to sit separately, but there are a few spots that have two seats available.

“Well, guys, I guess I’ll see you at the end of the movie.” Parker quickly ushers Addison up the stairs and into two seats right in the middle row. Damn him. I take Elsie’s hand and drag her to another two empty seats a few rows up on the side from Parker. I don’t even see where Dane and Paislee are.

I settle into my seat and turn to Elsie. “You good? Do you need anything?”

She shakes her head. “No, but I might need your hand throughout the movie if that’s okay.” She nervously giggles.

“Uh, okay. Why? What movie are we seeing?”

She rolls her beautiful eyes. “Did you not check the ticket?”

“Nope.” I shrug.

“It’s called Greta. It’s a scary one.” She chews her lip, and I want to kiss it. Seriously, shoot me. I need to tell her the truth. Now.

I open my mouth, about to admit to my lie, when the lights go dim. I rest my arm on the rest and lean over to her and whisper, “You can take my hand anytime you want.”

She moves closer, her proximity becoming intoxicating. My heart pounds. This isn’t normal for me.

“Okay, just don’t tell your girlfriend. I’d hate to cause trouble. We’re just friends. Please make sure you tell her that. Crazy friends. Who apparently have dares to complete.” Her breath tickles my cheek, and all I can think about is taking her hand.

“Don’t worry about that. I want to tell you something when we have a moment.”

Elsie leans back and studies me, so I give her a smile. I will tell her as soon as I can. When the time is right.

I can only hope Parker doesn’t change his mind and tell Addison in the meantime. I’m sure she would run to Elsie, and then all she will see is me and a great big lie hanging over me like a dark cloud.

I wonder what Aiden wants to talk to me about. I don’t get long to ponder before I’m thrown into the world of a crazy lady who leaves handbags in places, and when people return them, she goes hell crazy, kidnapping them. Why, oh why, did Addison pick this damn movie?

I lean closer to Aiden and whisper, “Why did we pick this movie? I’m never returning people’s things again. Police station it is.”

He laughs and rests his hand on mine. My heart leaps.

“Don’t worry… it’s all good. You’re safe with me.” The way he says that tells me something else—I’m not sure what, though. I swear it’s been like five minutes and he still hasn’t moved his hand. Instead, his grip tightens, and his thumb rubs along my skin, leaving a warm feeling.

Guilt creeps in. I want to pull my hand away, knowing he has a girlfriend, but I’m enjoying his touch and his small caress. Guilt wins, and I reluctantly pull away and go to my bag to dig out the sweets. I can still feel his touch on my skin. There’s no way I am going to become the other woman in his life and hurt his girlfriend. I can’t do that. It’s simply not me.

“Want some?” I offer.

Aiden shakes his head and continues watching the movie. Did I hurt his feelings by pulling my hand away? That felt like a sting to me. I push that feeling aside and stuff another candy in my mouth. Its sweetness dances on my taste buds.

When the movie finally ends, I glance over my shoulder, looking for the others. My mouth falls open at the sight of Paislee and Dane locking lips. I swing back toward Aiden. “Oh my goodness, I just caught Paislee and Dane kissing. Parker is going to flip.”

“Are you serious? I could see something was there before the movie even started,” he says, casually resting back in his seat.

I grab his