My Aussie Guy - Liz Lovelock Page 0,21
firecracker. One day, I’ll get you in a dare that’s going to cause you to lose your breath.”
I laugh. “What does that even mean?”
His thumb moves over my knuckles. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Aiden steps back and releases my hand, but I want him to keep hold of it. I want his lips pressed to mine. I want to taste him. Only I don’t think that’s going to happen.
When we get to the café, Addison is working. Walking up to the counter, I say, “I didn’t even hear you leave this morning.”
“I didn’t want to disturb the canoodling that was happening on the sofa bed.” She laughs, waggling her eyebrows at us.
Aiden clears his throat. I turn to him as he rubs the back of his neck.
“Anyway…” I draw out the word. “I’m going to check my hours for next week. I’ll have the big breakfast and an orange juice.” I step around the counter and make my way to the small office out back. I’m flicking through the schedule when Addison comes skipping—actually skipping—into the office.
Her hands are clenched together at her chest, and a massive toothy grin is plastered across her face. “Well, well, well… you pair looked cozy this morning.” She jumps up and down excitedly.
Rolling my eyes, I say, “Don’t read too much into it. He’s just broken up with his girlfriend, apparently.”
“Are you serious? Why aren’t you happy about this?” she whispers.
I nod. “That’s what he told me last night. A part of me wonders if it’s because of me. It all seems so sudden.” I finally find my page and grab a piece of blank paper from the desk and scribble my hours down.
“It’s his choice, and he’s not going to be here for long.” She pauses for a second then continues, “So, are you going to pursue anything?” she asks, a little too excited. This girl doesn’t give up.
“I don’t know. He’s leaving eventually. I’ll just end up with my heart broken.” I’m not ready for a broken heart. I’ve always been the heartbreaker. The one-night stand. The one to walk away first. I’m not sure I could do that with Aiden.
Addison steps closer. “You can’t let the fear of him leaving stop you from giving it a go. Have a little fun, girl. Stop worrying about tutoring and all that other stuff and just do you for once. I did and look where that’s gotten me.” She winks.
“Yeah, yeah,” I respond dryly and move around her.
She’s right. To wear my heart on my sleeve is a whole new thing for me. I’m just not sure I’m ready to open myself up to Aiden.
I find Aiden sitting at a table outside. I pause before going out to him. His eyes are bright. I watch them dance as he looks around him, taking in the campus atmosphere before him. He’s so full of life and wants to explore and do things I’d probably only dream of doing—like jumping off a damn cliff. I would never have chosen to do that in a million years, and now I’ve gotten myself into this, and I can’t pull out.
He leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. The muscles in his arms stand out and are so defined. I want those arms wrapped around me.
A throat clears behind me. Spinning, I catch Addison giving me a knowing grin, so I shake my head.
Turning back to Aiden, his eyes are on me.
Caught…
Elsie and Addison have been gone for a while. I notice the other chick is at the counter serving. Taking my seat at one of the few tables outside, I watch the other students flow in and out of the café and then run off to study or do who knows what. The schooling here is so different from back home in Australia. It’s so much more laid-back, but there are also serious people who genuinely want to learn, and then there are the ones who want to party all the time.
A sense of being watched hits me. Turning around, I catch sight of Elsie, only she’s not watching me. She’s facing Addison, who appears to be laughing. Elsie turns back my way. A small smile kicks up her light-pink lips. The rhythm in my chest skips a beat. I sit a little higher in my chair. Elsie shakes her head slightly and heads toward our table.
I grab my orange juice and take a large gulp.
She pulls out a chair and slides in.