Page 51 of Covert

Sam looked away, unable to meet her friend’s probing stare. “What for? It’s hopeless. We’re too different.”

“See? What did I tell you? Idiot, with a capital I.”

Sam shook free of Ebony’s grasp, blinking back tears for the hundredth time that day. “Take it easy, Eb. I don’t need this right now.”

Ebony shimmied into her skirt and zipped up, giving Sam time to compose herself.

“Look, I shouldn’t be telling you this, but you need to know.” Ebony sighed. “The worst thing you could’ve said to Dylan was accuse him of carrying around baggage about his father.”

“Why?”

By the sombre expression on her friend’s face, Sam didn’t want to know the answer.

“Because heiscaught up on some weird guilt trip where his dad is concerned. His dad died while Dylan was overseas, kicking up his heels and shunning his family responsibilities.”

Just like you.

The thought sprung to Sam’s mind and she couldn’t shake it. What if one of her parents had died while she’d been hiding in Melbourne? She would probably feel the same guilt Dylan did and would try to make up for it the best way she knew how.

Was that what drove him? It more than explained his ties to Budgeree, and his distaste for her views on family that she expressed while staying there.

Sam grimaced. “I’ve made a huge mistake, haven’t I?”

“Colossal.” Ebony guided her toward the door. “Now, go after him.”

“To Melbourne?”

Sam doubted she had the courage to fly down there and confront the guy she’d hurt so much.

Besides, what if her friend’s assumptions were wrong and he didn’t love her? He probably came to Brisbane to confront her after learning the truth from his mother, nothing more.

Ebony grinned, the same cheeky smile Sam had grown to recognise meant ‘trouble’ over the years.

“No, silly, I’m not talking about you flying to Melbourne.” Ebony rolled her eyes. “The man had enough class after you broke his heart down by the river to come back to the chapel and wish me good luck. And I managed to find out where he’s staying tonight, in case you’d botched things, which his hangdog expression told me you had.”

Ebony winked. “So if you’re very nice to me, I may tell you where you can find that lovely, patient man, if you want to go to him and start grovelling.”

Sam hugged her friend. “What would I do without you?”

“Probably make a total hotchpotch of your life.” Ebony whispered in her ear where Sam could find Dylan. “Now go.”

Ebony wriggled out of her embrace before practically shoving Sam out the door.

39

Dylan turned off the taps and stepped from the shower, wishing the hot water had done more to soothe his aching body.

He’d had a week of sleepless nights thanks to his obsession with Sam, tossing and turning until the wee hours, and the flight to Brisbane hadn’t helped. The only seat available had been economy and folding his long legs into such cramped quarters had been beyond uncomfortable.

To make matters worse, the entire trip had been a waste of time. and he couldn’t wait to return to Melbourne and put the whole sordid mess behind him.

A tentative knock sounded at the door and he cursed whoever had the audacity to disrupt him tonight of all nights. He needed peace, and with his phone turned off the anonymity of a hotel room could provide it.

He wrapped a towel around his waist before padding across the plush carpet and wrenching open the door.

Sam stood on the other side, doing her utmost not to stare at his chest and failing miserably. It reminded him of the day they first met in his bedroom, when he’d seen the flicker of interest in her eyes despite her attempts to hide it.

He wouldn’t be so foolish to misinterpret her reaction this time.

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