Page 56 of The Friend

Now all she had to do was act like it.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Judd glanced at the large green sign telling him exactly how far it was to his destination, mentally counting down the kilometres as he had ever since he’d left Sydney’s CBD, the monotonous activity keeping his mind focussed on the job ahead rather than mentally rehearsing what he’d say to Abby when he saw her.

The last week had been hell.

By turning down her dream job atFinesseshe’d made her feelings more than clear. After ignoring his initial calls, he realised there was nothing he could do to broach the gap between them and made a conscious decision to leave her alone.

At least work proved to be fulfilling. Despite his early doubts about working for a magazine,Finessewas a class act, more than living up to its reputation as one of Australia’s top magazines. He’d thrived on every challenge so far, throwing himself headlong into long hours, anything to take his mind off Abby. Unfortunately, work inevitably reminded him of her, and he would’ve given anything to share their mutual professional success together.

Perhaps after today, he’d get that chance?

Patting the inside pocket of his jacket for the hundredth time that morning, he sure hoped so.

As the car sped along the few remaining kilometres, he drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, trying to forget the last time he’d seen her.

Forget? Who was he trying to kid? Every time he closed his eyes the image of their last encounter would materialise, flashing across his mind in a hazy kaleidoscope of painful memories.

Her coolness, her stricken expression when he’d confirmed he hadn’t signed a contract, her pain when she revealed how much she’d cared for him in the past…

That had been the hardest to take, that she’d loved him all those years ago and he hadn’t had a clue.

What he wouldn’t give for an ounce of her love now…

Shaking his head, he turned into a gravel drive and pulled around the back of the secluded farmhouse. He killed the engine and scanned the grounds with a practiced eye, searching for a location for the perfect shot, trying not to admit he was searching for the perfect woman.

And Abby was, in every way. It had taken him longer to figure out than most.

Now he had to prove it to her.

Patting his pocket again and reassured by its contents, he stepped from the car and strode towards the farmhouse, knowing that whatever happened, he’d given it his best shot.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Tara had been right.

This place was perfect.

Abby climbed the stairs to the second floor, marvelling at the charm of the empty farm. The peasant style clothing of the new designer who’d commissioned this shoot would look fantastic against this backdrop. She’d have to thank Tara when she got back to Sydney, especially as her friend had been more than understanding at being blown off at the last minute.

It would be hard enough facing Judd for the first time since she’d officially ended any chance of them having a future without having an audience, and she’d needed the long drive out here to clear her head, marshal her defences, and put her professional mask firmly in place.

She could do this.

She’d gotten over him the last time, she could do it again.

Hating the lump of emotion lodged in her throat, Abby took a slug from the water bottle in her handbag as she wandered through some of the rooms, admiring the quaint furnishings and fabrics, gasping as she opened the last door on her left and stepping into what could only be a bridal suite.

“Wow,” she murmured, glancing around the room, from the king-sized mahogany four poster bed draped in filmy silver gauze to the four-person spa standing elevated on a platform to capture the mountain views.

Throw in the beautiful antique furnishings, the tiny embroidered Cupids on the bedspread, and the rose moulded ceiling, and the suite exuded romance.

It made her feel ill.

Turning her back on the inviting ambiance, she angrily swiped at the tears that sprung so easily to her eyes these days, and slammed straight into the guy who’d put them there.

Chapter Thirty

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