My Aussie Guy - Liz Lovelock Page 0,22
Her floral perfume rushes my way, and I inhale her scent, causing a twist to my stomach. She’s obviously borrowed spray from Addison, considering she hasn’t gone anywhere to refresh.
I push the other orange juice toward her. “For you…”
Her head lifts, and our eyes connect. “Thanks. How much do I owe you?” She goes to dig in the small brown bag she has hanging over her shoulder.
“No, you don’t owe me anything. My shout. Next time, you can get it.”
Elsie looks up, studies me. “Okay. Next time, my shout.”
Silence falls between us as she takes a sip of her juice, so I try to think of something to say.
“How long have Addison and Parker been together?” I ask.
Her brow furrows as though she’s thinking on my question. “It hasn’t been long. To be honest, I’ve not kept track, but it’s really only new.” She shrugs. “So, tell me what happened with you and your girlfriend?”
The dread I’d thought would go once I removed my fake girlfriend from the scene comes back like somebody has swung a bat at my stomach. My eyes drop, and I quickly pick up my cup and take another drink.
I can see her watching me from the corner of my eye. Can she see through the lie I’ve created? Finally, I answer. “Just… ah… wanted different things.” I stumble over my words. Even I don’t believe myself by the way I sound. With a trembling hand, I pick up my glass and down another mouthful of my drink. In my haste, the mouthful goes down all wrong, and I start coughing. My lungs want to jump out of my throat. I take a small sip of my drink, trying to stop it.
When I glance up, Elsie has tears streaming down her face.
“Shut up,” I grumble but give her a smile.
More laughter follows. “Oh, my goodness. So funny.” She sighs, wiping her face. Her eyes glisten and stare right at me. I know, right in this moment, that if she ever finds out the truth about my apparent girlfriend, she’ll hate me. I’m not sure I could handle that. No other girl has taken a hold of my heart like Elsie has. There’s something about her which captures my undivided attention.
“No, it’s not. I could have died. Choking on my damn juice.”
More laughter and I follow suit. Her happiness is infectious. After a moment, our mirth subsides, and we’re left in silence. Our food is brought out moments later, and we begin digging in. I didn’t realize how damn hungry I was until now, only I’m not just hungry for food. I catch Elsie putting a forkful into her mouth. The way her lips move—oh hell. I suck in my bottom lip and bite it, holding back a groan. Damn!
“Everything okay with the food?”
I snap out of my trance and turn toward Addison, who’s standing beside the table.
“Always good,” Elsie says with food still in her mouth. She’s not a Miss Proper-Girl like the others I’ve met since being here. That Stacey chick is high maintenance.
“Don’t choke on your food.” Addison laughs then turns to me. “Is everything all right?”
“Yep.”
Her eyebrows raise, and I think I’ve been caught staring at Elsie. My eyes go back to my plate, and I shove more food in my mouth.
“What are you guys planning to do today?” Addison asks.
I shrug and look at Elsie.
“Not sure. I have tutoring emails to catch up on and homework to finish. What about you, Aiden?”
I glance between them. “Uhh… I was going to take you fishing.” I cock my eyebrow. Hers raise, and her mouth forms an O shape.
“Sure, I’m keen. Do you have stuff for fishing?”
I hear the tone of her voice which says, “You don’t have anything prepared for fishing.”
“We’ll make a quick stop at the shop and grab a few things. There’s no way you’re getting out of this.”
“Okay, but I already told you I’ve been fishing before. Can’t say I’m great at it, though.” She laughs.
“That’s okay. I’m sure Aiden here will be happy to lend a hand,” Addison responds and winks at me.
I’m not sure what Addison is playing at. “Sure, of course, I’ll help. Let’s finish up here, and we’ll go get a couple of things.”
“Excellent. I look forward to hearing about it.” Addison claps then turns and leaves us.
“Is she always this much of a sticky beak?”
“A what?”
“A person who likes to stick their nose into other people’s business.”
“Oh, she isn’t usually. But perhaps when it comes to