Page 66 of Love Is…?

It provedto be the right choice for stamping out her nerves, but the wrong choice for keeping up the not-pretending-but-let’s-maintain-the-lessons idea she’d suggested. Jayde was right in front of her, all sexy and gorgeous and fun, and they moved together and Jayde held her close. Tessa was awash with lust, and attraction, and something deeper that was too much to contemplate.

She sent Jayde a smile.

“Thank you for this,” she said loudly, leaning towards Jayde to deliver the message over the latest Kylie Minogue pop creation.

Jayde moved into Tessa’s space and placed her hands on Tessa’s hips. “What are you thanking me for?”

“Dancing. A night out. Being supportive. Being a friend.” Tessa slid her hands onto Jayde’s forearms and suddenly they were close enough to brush thighs. Their movements slowed. Their eyes locked, and Tessa was positive her heartbeat synchronised with the music. If she wasn’t careful, she’d invite Jayde home for mind-blowing sex, which sounded fabulous but not the greatest idea even though Jayde looked like she’d be up for it.

Which was absolutely not the aim.Tessa would get laid, Jayde would as well, but Tessa would not have hooked up anonymously, and Jayde would probably lock down her heart and continue seeing a Ferris wheel of women.

“See anyone who looks like they’d be prepared to spend the night with a time-travelling woman from the 1920s?” Tessa asked, patting Jayde’s arms, then removing her hands.

Jayde gave Tessa a look which she couldn’t decipher, then let go of Tessa’s hips, and subtly peered about. She tipped her chin.

“The woman at the window table. Brown hair. Kind of windblown.”

Tessa snuck a glance. The woman was really pretty. Comfortable in her skin, Tessa thought, based on no information whatsoever, but she looked like she was perfectly content to sit at her table, sipping her drink without staring about with social anxiety eyes.

“Okay. Wish me luck.” Tessa grimaced, then smiled, and Jayde walked behind her to leave the dance floor.

“You’ll knock her socks off,” she said, and rubbed across Tessa’s back.

Tessa wasn’t sure she’d be able to knock off any item of clothing, but she gathered her confidence and strode over to the woman.

The first thing she noticed was how much the woman looked like Jayde. Had Jayde chosen the woman for that reason?

“Hi. I noticed you from the dance floor and I thought I’d come over and introduce myself. I’m Tessa by the way and this is my first time atQueerBeers.Well, not the first time because I was here six years ago…” Tessa blinked at the woman’s slow smile. “Oh dear God, I am so sorry.”

What on God’s green earth was that mess? She could flirt easily with Jayde, so that just then was simply embarrassing.

The woman laughed. “Hi, Tessa. I’m Paola. This isn’t your natural environment, is it?” She pointed to the spare stool. “Have a seat.”

Tessa, still appalled at herself, sat heavily, and nodded. “You’re right. I’m an introduced species.Wildlife Australiaprobably has alerts on their website.”

Paola cracked up. “I doubt it. You definitely blend in with that outfit, even if you come across as a very stressed non-native.” She took a sip of her drink, and smiled. “You up for a bit of a chat or something more?”

“Oh!” Okay. Nothing like jumping in feet first. “I would be interested in more?”

“But you’re not sure.”

“Absolutely not sure at all.” Tessa laughed in self-deprecation.

Paola gave her a wink. “Tessa, I’m not looking, don’t worry. I’ve only got out of a messy relationship and I’m just hanging out and absorbing vibes. That’s it.”

Absorbing vibes sounded wonderful. “Well, then, I’m a definite fan of hanging out.”

Paola grinned, pushed her glass away, and asked Tessa if she wanted a drink. Tessa’s, “No thanks,” was met with another smile, and suddenly they were discussing the ongoing Melbourne and Sydney rivalry for best city in Australia and why coffee should be added to that list.

Tessa jerked her head when she caught a glimpse of the time on Paola’s phone. Twenty minutes. “I’m so sorry. I need to get back to my friend. I’ve left her in the lurch.” She hopped off the stool. “It was lovely to meet you, Paola.”

Paola stuck out her hand. “You, too, Tessa. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

“I’m not…” Tessa closed her mouth, and Paola nodded.

“Have a great night, Tessa.”

Tessa delivered a little wave, and spun on her heel to make her way back to Jayde, who had found a cosy spot at the corner of the bar. Tessa climbed up on the stool.

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