THE DEAL by Marsh, Nicola (electronic reader txt) 📕

She saw the confusion in Sal’s eyes. How could she begin to explain what she was feeling without disillusioning the woman who had loved and supported her all these years?

“I don’t like gossip, Sal. Besides, what would they know about my friendship with Matt? They didn’t ask us, they made up what they wanted to.”

Sal reached over and patted her hand. “I’m glad to hear you two are friends again. I thought the speed dating might bring you closer. I always thought it was a shame you lost touch, especially after how close you once were.”

Kara had never explained the reason behind her dwindling friendship with Matt. Sal hadn’t asked, though she had given her odd looks whenever Kara avoided the topic of the Byrne family.

“Was the speed dating thing a set-up, Sal?”

“Of course not. You chose each other. How could I complete your forms? Seems like fate to me.”

Kara wrinkled her nose. “Fate’s a nasty F word. I hate it. It’s turned my life upside down.”

Sally stood, walked around the table and hugged her. “You’ve been alone for far too long. An attractive girl like you needs a nice young man in her life and I happen to think Matt Byrne is perfect. What’s the harm in going out with him?”

If Sal only knew. “Don’t go getting your hopes up. We’re hanging out as friends for a while, nothing more. You’ll need to keep that wedding hat under wraps for a bit longer, okay?”

Sal pinched her cheek. “Too late, darling. It’s already out of mothballs. Don’t wait too long to set the date, will you?”

She swatted Sal’s butt with the newspaper. “You’re incorrigible.”

“I love you too, sweetheart. Talk to you soon.” With a wave, Sal sailed out the door, croissant in hand.

Kara unrolled the newspaper and spread it on the table. Of course Matt photographed well. He looked as delectable in grainy print as he did in the flesh. How could she push him out of her thoughts when he was everywhere she looked? She didn’t look too bad either, thank goodness. If the entire city of Sydney had to see her, at least she looked presentable. They looked happy, with Matt smiling down at her, his arm around her waist and she gazing up at him in adoration. If a picture paints a thousand words, this one was a doozy.

Could they rekindle their friendship? Probably, but would she be satisfied with just friendship? Wasn’t that one of the reasons she’d deliberately lost touch, apart from the mortification at being pushed away by him? She’d wanted so much more from the man she’d fallen for. What was the point of dredging up old feelings better left forgotten?

As she stared at the picture, Kara knew she was fooling herself. Her feelings for Matt weren’t forgotten, just buried. Unfortunately, she feared they would resurface with a little encouragement and posing as his girlfriend may just be the catalyst to set off a disastrous reaction.

“I don’t love him. Not anymore,” she mumbled, folding the newspaper to hide his grinning image.

She wished her feelings were as easily tucked away.

Six

A cloudless blue sky formed a picturesque backdrop for the stately Opera House on a perfect summer’s day. Boats dotted Sydney Harbour, people taking advantage of the ideal sailing conditions. Kara leaned back and tilted her face towards the sun, lapping up the rays.

“I hope you’re wearing sunscreen.”

She sat up and squinted at Matt behind the wheel. “Of course I am. I’m not silly, you know.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” he teased.

She smiled, amazed at how far they’d come in such a short space of time. Two months ago, she would’ve bitten his head off for that remark. She’d been so defensive back then. Now, after many business dinners and chats over coffee, she’d let her guard down and was enjoying it.

“So where are you taking me, Captain?”

He doffed his cap in a mock salute. “Wherever m’lady fancies.”

A sliver of anticipation ran down her spine as they sailed under the Harbour Bridge. “Why don’t you surprise me?”

“I can do that.”

He gunned the motor and they sped along, her skin lapping up the refreshing bursts of sea spray. She didn’t speak, content to watch him handle the boat with the competency of an expert. He looked striking in white shorts and a navy polo shirt. His long, tanned legs braced as the boat picked up speed and she admired his sinewy biceps controlling the wheel. He was a man for all seasons, looking just as good in casual gear as he did in designer suits. She couldn’t wait till they dropped anchor. It had been too long since she’d seen him in bathers.

He manoeuvred the boat into a nearby channel and cut the engine. Silence enveloped them as she glanced around. Majestic eucalypts framed the sandy shore, their verdant green foliage in stark contrast to the cerulean water. She loved the tributaries off Sydney Harbour, a peaceful haven away from the waterway crowds.

“So, what do you think?”

He opened the portable refrigerator and removed a bottle of champagne and two chilled glasses.

She stared up at him. “It’s lovely,” she murmured, her eyes fixed on him.

“Thank you.”

She glanced away in a hurry, hoping he couldn’t read the yearning expression in her eyes. Sal always said she was an open book. She hoped Matt couldn’t read her genre.

“Here. This should take the edge off.” He handed her a flute of champagne. “Cheers. To my stunning girlfriend.” His smile was intimate, warm, like a caress.

Heat suffused her cheeks as she sipped the champagne. The bubbles tickled as they