Page 69 of Between Two Shores

His breath tickled her ear.

“I’m the only one who enjoyed it?”

“Okay, I did as well. Too much.” He withdrew in a sudden movement, clasped Beth’s hand, swung her in a twirl, and pulled her back into his chest. “That’s the extent of my groovy moves.”

She giggled. “Nice.”

His grin came easy. “Shall we resume our dinner?” He offered his hand.

She placed hers in his. “We shall.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Lachlan

Lachlan tilted back, all five inches the airplane chair allowed. The nighttime take-off had gone smoothly, and the plane leveled. So far, no turbulence. The captain dimmed the cabin lights, and the static hum of the engine clogged Lachlan’s ears. An unusually quiet Beth sat beside him, her eyes shut. He wanted to hold her hand, but sitting close was good enough for now.

In the last few days, Lachlan hadn’t found a reason to touch her, only at the ice-skating rink. She’d seemed impressed when he’d faced her, skating backward, and guided her around the arena. The other opportunity came when he’d steadied her once, holding her waist. Unplanned, but satisfying. He grinned to himself.

Strange, how they practically dated all week, but neither of them had pointed it out. On the last day, they’d crammed in as much as they could. Walked the treetop bridge, ate messy tacos at Salud, rode a double-seated go-cart from waterfront rentals, and played arcade games at Coin-up. Sleep should come easy enough during the flight. But who could sleep with twenty hours of one-on-one, side-by-side, uninterrupted time together? He was as giddy as a kid on their birthday morning—should be sleepy but bursting with energy.

Beth adjusted her travel pillow and faced him, eyes closed. A wisp of copper eyeshadow remained from the day. No use trying to pry his gaze from her, not that he wanted to. He angled toward Beth, tucking a hand under his head. Who would’ve thought he’d be following this beautiful creature back to Australia? Should he take a photo for Mark? He stifled a chuckle.

Beth’s lashes swept up, and she blinked. “How am I to sleep with you watching me?” She smiled, her face only a few inches from his.

“How can I sleep with you being in my personal space?” He circled his finger between them.

“I think you’re actually in my space, mister.”

His gaze flittered to her lips, and he longed to brush his thumb across her mouth, and more.

“Lachlan.” She feigned a frown. “Close your eyes. Sleep.”

“Yes, dear.” He loved to tease her. Anyway, once she drifted off, he could watch her again. He closed his eyes and grinned, and she softly giggled.

A few moments later, he cracked one eye open, to find those aqua blue eyes of Bethany’s holding a nebulous gaze.

“Now, I can’t sleep,” she said.

“That makes two of us.” He winked. “What’s on your mind?” Him, by chance? Beth wouldn’t admit it, even if it were true.

“I’m a little apprehensive of facing everyone.” She bit her bottom lip. “I’ll eventually go back to Youth Connect and face my students. They’ll be glad to see me, but it’s embarrassing after the speech I gave them.”

Lachlan’s heart ached for her. It would be humbling.

“Then I’ll visit the Fremantle Herald. I’m not sure if they’ll let me return. Likely, they’ve found a replacement. My boss is a grump and he’ll make me beg to get the same position.”

“Do you have to work there?”

“I will need to find some work. Dad might increase my days at Harbor of Hope. I did a lot of extra hours for free, which is typical for charities.” She rearranged her pillow. “How many shifts will you work with Chris?”

“My working visa starts in two weeks. But I’ll earn my accommodation. Chris has a granny flat, and he made it part of the package.”

“Melissa used to live there. When her daughter grew into a toddler, she wanted more space, and we got a rental together. Thankfully she hasn’t found a boarder.” She tucked a loose wisp of hair behind her ear. “So, do you like working in a restaurant, or it’s just something to do for income?”

“I’d rather use my other qualifications as a counselor.”

“Youth Connect may have some work for you. Chris’s wife runs the charity. Cassie.”

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