My Aussie Guy - Liz Lovelock Page 0,23

me, she likes to know what’s going on.” She downs the last of her drink and pushes her plate away from her. She’s demolished her food and I’m still going.

This girl isn’t like any other I have ever met.

This isn’t how I saw my day turning out. Yet, here I am, at a popular fishing spot on the wharf. There are only three other people around, and I’m sure they think we’re a joke and aren’t serious about catching anything. I don’t even have high hopes of reeling a fish in, but I am happy to be here with Aiden.

I watch him place the tackle box and rods he bought on the wooden wharf. He takes a seat on the edge while I stand there and gawk at him. His reasonably tight sky-blue shirt moves with his muscles, and his arms flex as he twists and grabs the first fishing rod.

“Are you going to sit?” he asks while digging through the box and opening the little packets full of sinkers, hooks, and lures.

I step up and take a seat beside him. He leans into me, gently brushing himself against me. My heart rate spikes, and a shiver runs all the way down my spine. I glance down at my watch—ten a.m. I wonder how long Aiden plans to stay here.

“You already planning your escape?” He shoves my shoulder slightly.

I face him. His brown eyes shine. My stomach flutters. I have to remind myself that he’s just had his heart broken by ending it with his girlfriend and most likely isn’t looking for a new relationship right now.

“Nope, was just checking the time. I do really have tutoring to catch up on, but that can wait till later. Hey, did you find yourself a tutor?” I’d meant to ask him sooner. I didn’t see his name appear on my list, so I assume he went with another tutor.

He focuses on tying a knot around a sinker—I think that’s what they’re called. “Yeah, I did, just waiting to hear back.”

I nod. The little ache in my heart settles there. Why didn’t he ask me? “What is it you’re working on?”

Aiden looks up, his brow furrowed. “It’s a Romeo and Juliet thing for English. We have to write a modernized letter about love. I’m not the greatest with English.”

“Yeah, that Australian language is hard to pick up.” I laugh.

“Whatever. You understand me. I’ve not had you ask me to repeat anything. I’ve been very conscious of my word choices to make sure you understand what I’m trying to say.”

“Oh, aren’t you thoughtful,” I respond dryly. His accent, though, is enough for him to have all the girls flocking to him, and I can’t blame them.

Aiden stands and places a piece of bait on the hook he’s just finished tying. “All right, this rod is yours. Do you know how to cast?”

“How about you do this one for me?” I wonder how many times I can get him to do it for me? I laugh to myself.

He moves the rod until it’s hanging behind him. In one swift move, he flicks it out, then it drops into the water, then he does a maneuver and turns something off the reel. I’m so not a fishing person. I don’t even eat seafood, but I’m willing to do this to get to know Aiden. Plus, he did dare me, and at least I’m not jumping off a cliff right now.

Aiden hands me the fishing rod. Our fingers touch, and I try not to show my reaction. My body electrifies from one small touch. “Here. Just keep your finger on the line to feel for bites. Wait until they start pulling and then reel it in,” he instructs.

I settle in on the side of the wharf. He sets up the other rod and throws the line out like he did with mine. With a deep sigh, he takes a seat beside me again.

“Do you do this back home?” I ask as I stare out at the ocean.

“Yeah. My parents have a boat we take out as often as we can. You should see the kinds of fish we’ve caught while far out in the ocean. My dad caught a small shark once.”

My head flicks toward him. “Really? A shark?”

He nods, smiling.

“And that’s why I would hate going to Australia. You have all these creepy crawlies that just freak me the hell out. Huge spiders, deadly snakes, and who knows what else is hiding over there ready to