Page 104 of Outback Reunion

‘Say goodnight to Mark, go put your dogs away, and start getting ready for bed,’ Gabriela told her daughter.

Luna crossed her arms and pouted. ‘But I’m not tired.’

Mark tried very hard not to smirk, yet at the same time he wanted Luna to go to bed so he could finally be alone with her mother.

‘Do as you’re told,’ Gabriela said, ‘and I’ll let you watch an episode ofFriendsbefore we switch off the lights.’

Luna held up three fingers. ‘How about three?’

‘How about two and you have a deal? Now go.’

‘Okay.’ Luna nodded, then surprised Mark by stepping forward and wrapping her little arms around his waist, or at least as far as they would stretch. ‘Goodnight.’

His heart exploding, he ruffled her hair—‘Goodnight, kiddo’—and was smiling as she disappeared, her canine entourage trotting behind her. His plan might not have been perfectly executed, but he reckoned the part about winning Luna’s affection was going smoothly.

‘Thank you again for helping tonight,’ Gabriela said. ‘I really appreciate it.’

‘It was really fun. Exhausting but fun.’ He took a step towards her, desperate to touch her. ‘I think I might almost have won over Muriel by the end of it. Who knew there was a correct way to put a sausage in a bun?’

As she laughed, he dipped his head and crushed his lips against hers. He couldn’t help it; he’d been wanting to taste her all night. She kissed him back but only for a few seconds before she put her hand on his chest.

‘I need to put Luna to bed and then we should talk. Will you meet me on the beach?’

He nodded.

‘I’ll be there as soon as she goes to sleep, although I can’t guarantee how long that will be.’

He knew the deal. ‘I’ll wait as long as it takes.’

The beach was deserted when he plonked himself onto the soft sand, not far from the path that led almost directly from the oval. The twinkling stars were reflecting like a painting on the shimmery water, lapping gently upon the shore. How could he ever have questioned coming back here?

Melbourne might have the MCG, good coffee and fancy restaurants; Melbourne might havefootball, but Bunyip Bay had his heart.

As did the woman who would hopefully be here to join him soon.

Yet as he waited, the time ticking loudly on his watch, anxiety crept back into his heart. He didn’t doubt Gabriela’s feelings for him. He knew in his heart that she wanted him as badly as he wanted her, but that didn’t mean convincing her was going to be easy—especially now that the Saads had left.

Finally, after what felt like hours, he heard a noise behind him and turned to see her walking towards him, her feet bare, a pair of thongs dangling in her hands.

‘Sorry I took so long,’ she said with a smile.

‘It’s fine.’ He held out his hand, gently tugging her down beside him. ‘What a day, hey?’

Letting go of his hand, she pulled her knees up to her chest and nodded. ‘Just a few curveballs.’ She turned her head to look at him. ‘Did you mean what you said at the party?’

‘What bit? The bit about wanting you to run away from the circus? The bit about falling in love with you?’

‘All of it,’ she whispered.

‘I meant every single thing I said. I know it seems fast, but I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.’

‘What about Tahlia?’

‘I thought I loved Tahlia,’ he admitted, ‘and maybe I did, in a way. But not the all-consuming, life or death way I feel about you.’

She made a noise that sounded like a sob. ‘I have a daughter, Mark.’

‘I know. And I love Luna too.’ Nervous, because this was the most important conversation of his life, he plucked a broken shell off the sand and rubbed it between his fingers. ‘I get that you’re a package deal and I want the whole package.’

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