Page 8 of Possession Under the Southern Stars

She forces her lips into a small smile. “So you said Whina called? What did she say?”

I came down here to tell her I wouldn’t be needing her to come with me to Bethlehem, but as I look into her eyes, I can’t bring myself to do it. “I was just going to tell you that she sent the tickets, so we’re all set to go,” I reply lamely.

“Fantastic.” She brightens. “Will we drive up?”

“God, no, it’ll take about seven hours. We’ll fly.”

She nibbles her bottom lip, then says, somewhat shyly, “I’m not sure I have the money for that, Fraser. It’s just after Christmas, and now Ian’s moved out, I have to pay the rent on my own…”

“I’ll organize the flight,” I tell her, hiding my surprise that Ian has left her to pay for the apartment by herself. I would havecovered half the cost until she’d found herself a cheaper place. “And I’ll book us a couple of rooms in a hotel nearby. Don’t worry, the museum will cover it.” It won’t—I’ll pay for it—but she doesn’t have to know that.

“Oh, okay.”

“And I’ll get you the money Whina promised for a dress.”

“Will you wear a tux?” she asks.

“If it’s black tie, I’ll have to. I have one. I’ll need to see if I can still fit in it.”

She gives a weak smile. “You haven’t put on weight, have you?”

I pat my stomach. “As soon as you hit thirty you get middle-aged spread. Nothing to do with my weakness for Kit-Kats.”

Her gaze lifts to mine, and I’m transported back to the dinner party, and the fun and flirty conversation we had there.

“What’s your favorite food?” she’d asked.

“Chocolate,” I replied as I studied her shiny brown hair and dark eyes. “Did you know that it melts at body temperature?”

“How did you find that out?” she asked, eyes sparkling.

“Dropped some on my arm by mistake and had to lick it off,” I replied, and she gave a delightful giggle.

I’d like to hear that giggle again, but her gaze lowers, then slides to her purse, and I know she’s thinking about the letter.

“Have you had breakfast this morning?” I ask, ignoring the stab of warning I’m sure Whina is sending me telepathically.

Hallie looks back up at me. “No, only coffee.”

“Want to go out and get some? I’m starving. My treat.”

Her lips slowly curve up. She hesitates, though.

“I don’t bite,” I say. “Not unless…” My voice trails off.You want me to, I was going to say. Dammit, Fraser!

She doesn’t smile though. Instead, she says cautiously, “I have something to admit to you.”

“Oh?”

“When I came in today, I assumed you were going to reprimand me for flirting with you at the dinner party.” Her cheeks redden.

My eyebrows rise. “I wouldn’t do that.”

“I know, because you’re too nice, but it was out of order, and I shouldn’t have done it.”

I shove my hands in the pockets of my jeans. “I seem to remember that I flirted back.”

She sucks her bottom lip, trying not to smile. “Maybe. But that’s not the point.”

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