My Aussie Guy - Liz Lovelock Page 0,30

Addison’s words from earlier ring through my mind. He’s only just ended a relationship.

Don’t fall…

I’m trying. Only when he’s this close to me and makes my heart smile, how can I not?

“Thanks,” I reply, clipped, annoyed at myself for letting Addison ruin my happy moment.

“Hey, did you want to come around tonight and watch the second movie of Star Wars?” His hip bumps mine.

“I don’t think I can. I have to fill in for Addison at work. I don’t usually finish until after nine.” I run my hands over my pants.

“That’s okay. I can wait for you if you want.”

I want to immediately say yes, but for some reason, I find myself saying the total opposite. “No, it’s okay. I’ve got tutoring work to get done. My life is so much fun.”

“No, it’s not. But I am going to make it exciting.”

“Yeah, right. You’ll be packing up and leaving in the coming months. You’ve got a big bad world to visit and see.” I step out from under his arm.

I wasn’t planning on saying that to him. Thinking he’s going to leave hurts, and I don’t want him to go. I can’t bring myself to look up at him. I don’t want to see pain in those beautiful brown eyes. “Anyway, I’ll catch up with you later. I’ve got to swing by the library first and then class.” I lie about the library. I know I need to separate myself from him before I end up hurt.

Turning to walk away, Aiden says, “Go on a date with me, Elsie?”

I pause mid-step. Slowly, my shoe connects with the hard pavement. “Sorry, what?” I ask, not sure if I’ve heard him right.

“A date. Friday night. You and me.” Aiden gestures between us. He grins that panty-melting smile—one that gets all the girls’ blood pumping.

I watch as a group of girls walks by. One of them even has the balls to walk right between us, and my mouth drops open at her rudeness.

Aiden reaches and takes my hand. Then, my focus is back on him, so I glance down at our linked hands. “Come on, firecracker. A date. Let’s go out.” He gently tugs on my arm.

I chew my lip. “Is this a good idea?”

Aiden’s eyes drop, as does my stomach. “We’re friends, Elsie. Is it wrong for me to ask a friend to have food and a little fun with me?” He clears his throat, releasing my hand.

“I’ll let you know.” It’s all I can manage right now. “Here, I’ll give you my number.”

We exchange phone numbers, and Aiden is mostly silent.

I know I’ve hurt him. It wasn’t my intention, but since the chat with Addison this morning, I’ve found myself second-guessing everything I feel for him.

Yesterday, I wouldn’t have hesitated to say yes.

Funny how people can change your thoughts with a simple five-minute chat.

The week flies by. I haven’t really spoken to Aiden much, and I still haven’t let him know about the date, which should happen tonight.

“What are you doing later?” Addison asks as she takes a drink from the fridge. I stand at the counter of the café on the Friday afternoon shift.

“I’m not sure. Aiden asked me earlier this week to go on a date with him. I still haven’t answered him, though.”

Addison’s eyes go wide. “Why didn’t you say yes?”

I fold my arms across my chest and purse my lips, then say, “Because I had your annoying voice in my head basically telling me I shouldn’t fall for him.”

Her mouth forms an O shape. “I’m sorry. Don’t listen to me, Els. I didn’t mean for you to second-guess yourself. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

I sigh. “I know, and you’re right. I do fall hard and fast. I’ve already kind of fallen for him, and I don’t want those feelings to develop any more than what they already have, because I don’t want to end up hurt.”

Addison steps around the counter and wraps me in her arms. Stepping back, she says, “Go on the damn date, girl. Have fun, and if you need a shoulder to cry on, I’ll be here. What I said the other day was more a small warning, in a way. We’ve only known him two weeks, and I don’t want you hurt. I guess getting hurt by boys is a part of life, though. We all have to experience the hard parts of dating, and that includes the break-up.” She shrugs.

“So, I should go?”

Addison nods, smiling.

“Okay. I’ll message him.”

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