Page 32 of Kraken Cove

It might be my imagination, but in the dim light, her cheeks colour. I curse Oliver all over again for not telling her a hundred times a day how beautiful she is. There’s no way my girl would be blushing at a pathetic little non-compliment like that. Nah. She’d be so used to me telling her that would feel like nothing.

I open the door and usher her inside and I think for a horrifying moment I might have made a mistake. As soon as she sees Mia, Mum’s eyes light up like all her Christmases have come at once. Behind Mia’s back, I make a slicing gesture at my throat, lift my brows, and mouth “Don’t!” Ignoring me, my family all leap to their feet. All except Noah, who is nowhere to be seen. Still in the kitchen, I’m guessing.

Thank fuck for small mercies.

“Luke!” Mum comes over, arms spread wide. “I didn’t know it was that kind of dinner. Have you got something to tell us?”

A little awkward laugh escapes me. I wish it was that kind of dinner. But I’ll take what I can get. I shake my head. “No, no. Mum this is Mia. I’m working on the Bambara Street place for her. She’s staying for a little while, and I thought it’d be nice for her to have some company rather than sitting up in that big place all by herself tonight.”

Mia holds out her hand to Mum who ignores it and pulls her into a big hug instead. “Mia!” Mum gives me a look that says she knows exactly who Mia is and I wonder which of my asshole brothers told her that little tidbit. I can hardly blame them, I guess. Mum has a way of getting stuff out of you.

“Lovely to meet you,” Mum goes on. “I’ve always loved the Bambara Street place. I hope you’re not planning to cut downany of those beautiful gum trees in the backyard. Some of those must be older than me.”

Mia seems startled by the hug at first, but when Mum pulls back, she’s smiling. “Oh, not at all. I love the trees. In fact, Luke’s working on a wooden dressing for the facade that I think is going to look amazing when it’s done. Like the house sort of blends into the trees.”

Mum gives an approving nod. I can tell Mia and her are going to get on. They’ll talk plants, old houses, and art.

Mia holds out the bottle she brought. “I brought this. I wasn’t sure what you’d all like, but my dad is a real connoisseur and he keeps a cellar even at the holiday house. I love this one. It’s a favourite of mine.”

“Thank you, love. Why don’t you and Luke take a seat and I’ll get some glasses. I’m sure whatever you’ve chosen is wonderful.”

Just then, Noah comes out of the kitchen fully shifted, six plates balanced easily on various tentacles.

Mum looks around in horror at me. “Oh Lukey, we didn’t know anyone would be joining us.”

I glare at Noah over her head. “Noah knew.”

He gives me a defiant shrug. “Yeah. So? Is it a problem?” Shifting his defiant gaze to Mia he stares as if waiting for a response.

To her credit she handles it as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. “Oh, are you talking about the fact that you’re shifted? God, I don’t mind. Looks like it would be way easier to cook that way.”

“It is.” Noah sets down the plates of barramundi in lemon butter sauce and we’re all distracted for a moment from hisprickly behaviour. As he passes me mine, though, he mutters, “What did you bringherfor, Luke?”

A jerk of his head at Mia probably makes it obvious what we’re talking about. She’s answering a question from Mum about her painting and I’d much rather listen to her answer. Under my breath I hiss at Noah, “Leave it.”

“I won’t leave it. I know how you feel about her, Luke. I don’t know what you think is going to happen, but a girl like that won’t accept us for who we are. She’ll run back to Sydney and—”

“Not now, Noah.” The conversation around the table has gone quiet. I’d like to tell him Mia’s not like Charlotte. I know what I’m getting myself into, and I’m not going to end up jilted like he did. I can’t though. It’s still too raw for him. Four years on and he’s still not over her, no matter what he tries to tell everyone.

Mum frowns at us. “I hope you two aren’t arguing. I thought you’d be on your best behaviour, Luke, since you’ve finally brought someone home.”

Dad’s eyes widen, and he gives Mia a long look. “Are you—”

“No, Dad.” I shake my head. “Look, Mia’s a friend, OK? Relax.”

Mia’s pretty cheeks are lit up with a blush that makes her look even more adorable than usual. I wonder what she’s thinking. I hope she’s not horrified at the suggestion she’s dating me. I blunder on. “Now, would everyone please just act normal?”

The others start talking again. Noah picks up the bottle of wine Mia brought and a low whistle from him makes me turn. “What is it?”

“Brokenwood Wines. Where’d you get this? Not from any bottle shop around here.”

I frown. “What are you talking about?”

Mia blushes harder. “Oh it’s just something I had in the cellar. I wasn’t sure if it would go with dinner, but I hope everyone will have some.”

Noah pours himself a large glass and grins. “You don’t have to tell me twice.” He raises his glass and I can’t tell if he’s still mocking her or being serious. The others pass around the wine and Noah leans close beside me.

“You’re out of your depth, brother. She’s a rich girl through and through. You should give up now before it’s too late.”

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