Page 28 of Taking the Heat

Chris’ eyes were worried. ‘Hey,’ he yelled. ‘Can we get some ice over here?’ Turning on Henry, he snarled, ‘What the fuck is wrong with you, mate? You saw it happening and you let her fall!’

‘I … I didn’t know if she’d want me to save her! It would have been a strike for both of us.’ He tugged uncomfortably at his collar. ‘Tara, I’m so sorry.’

‘Not fucking good enough, mate. You’re a total tosser.’ Chris stood, nose to nose with Henry. ‘I would never let a lady fall. Not for one strike—not for three.’

‘Listen, I don’t appreciate your tone.’

‘I don’t appreciate your face. Lucky, there’s no strike if I put my hands on you.’ Chris gave Henry a small push, and both guys flared up like peacocks.

‘Jesus!’ I yelled. ‘Settle down, both of you. I’m okay, see …’ I stood carefully, balancing on the table closest to me for support. ‘See? I’m fine.’

‘Um … Tara?’ Henry turned his face away, his cheeks burning.

‘What?’

Chris filled in the gap, his eyes burning holes in my skin. ‘Babe, your skirt.’

For a second, all I could process was Chris’ use of the word ‘babe,’ then I felt a cool breeze blowing around my backside. Turning my head, I could see my skirt caught up around my waist, while the camera crew behind me zoomed in for a close-up of my black lace panties. Sighing, I brushed my skirt down. ‘There. All better.’

I looked back to the guys, one studiously avoiding eye contact with me, and the other staring at me like he was a stoner and my arse was a bag of chips. ‘Oh, honestly. I’ve been in a bikini all week. One flash of panties isn’t a big deal.’

Clearing his throat, Henry asked, ‘Tara, can I escort you to a table?’

‘Bugger off, sunshine,’ Chris retorted. ‘She’s sitting with me.’

‘Actually, you’re both annoying the crap out of me right now. I’ll find my own seat, thanks.’ With as much dignity as I could muster, I limped off. I wasn’t that irritated; I actually understood where they were both coming from. Henry would have genuinely thought he was doing the gentlemanly thing by letting me fall, and Chris was trying, in his own macho, stupid way, to defend my honour. But I still needed a break.

As I lowered myself gently into a chair, Meghan rushed to my side. ‘Oh, you poor wee dear! Are you alright?’

‘I’m good, thanks, Meghan.’

She smiled at me. ‘That’s good. I thought you should know, I had a grand date today.’

‘Oh, really? Anyone I know?’

‘Well, actually, yes. Have you met Nikau?’

‘That’s the Maori guy, right?’

She nodded, her gorgeous freckled cheeks even pinker than usual. ‘Yes. He’s amazing! It turns out, Nik and I have loads in common, you know?’

I glanced across at the bar where Nik stood, ordering beers. With his sleeve of tribal tattoos covering his entire arm and his broad nose and brow, the New Zealander was about as different from Meghan as giraffes are from seahorses.

But when he glanced across the room at her, I could see his dark eyes light up in joy.I guess opposites do attract …

‘Here he comes!’ she squealed, clutching my arm. ‘What should I say?’

‘I don’t think it will matter, honey.’

Nik arrived at our table. ‘Kia ora, ladies. Can I sit here?’

Meghan giggled instead of answering, so I said, ‘Sure. I’m Tara.’

‘Nikau. You’re the Aussie, right?’

‘Yup. Great to have a Kiwi here.’

‘Cheers, bro.’ He sat next to Meghan, and shyly slid a bottle of cider her way. ‘Megs, I got this for you. I remember you said you like fruity cider. This one has strawberry and pear in it.’

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