Page 21 of One Weekend in Sydney

Her body warmth against me sends a shiver down my spine, and I find myself unable to look away from her luminous eyes. I swear there’s an unspoken connection between us, a magnetic pull that seems to draw us closer with every step we take on the dance floor.

Not in my wildest dreams have I imagined I’d be holding her this close again. And still, all the cells in my body yearn to be even closer. Much, much closer.

Applause rings all around us as the band stops playing. Already?

Reluctantly, I release Tara, returning to reality as the lead singer announces a short break before the next act starts.

“Thank you,” she says, eyes wide. “That was…nice.”

I nod, everything about me agreeing wholeheartedly. “It was.”

“I’m thirsty. Do you want to get a drink?”

“Sure.” I’m glad it’s me she’s asking and not Arpi, who’s nowhere in sight. Thank God for that.

“Oh, wow,” Tara says when we get to where the drinks vendors are. Very long lines have formed for their booths.

“What would you like?” I ask.

“I only want a Coke,” she says hesitantly, eyeing the queue.

“You wanna get it outside instead? It might be faster.”

“Good idea.”

I honestly didn’t plan it, but as we make our way out of the building, I’m holding Tara’s hand.Again.

Oh, what’s the point in denying it? She still has my heart, no matter how much time has passed.

But I can’t do anything about it.

I ignore the pinching in my chest. Since my chances of getting back together with her are non-existent, I’m just going to enjoy each moment in her company that I’m surprisingly blessed with. What else can I do?

A cool breeze hits us as we step outside, and I notice Tara shiver a little. I take off my cape and wrap it around her shoulders. It’s big enough that she can use it as a cloak. “There you go,” I murmur.

“Thank you,” she says.

And there’s that sweet smile again that makes me want to plant a kiss on her mouth.

I fill my lungs with air, pressing my lips together to alleviate my need. “Let’s go over there.” I point towards the direction of the fast food outlet I went to earlier.

Tara nods, slipping her hand into mine. Well, I can’t blame myself for that! I’m sure she feels this intense attraction between us, too. And it means so much to me that she doesn’t even know what I look like.

God, it’s killing me that I can’t go beyond handholding!

I force myself to chill. I’m just here with a friend. Nothing else is going to happen.

We get to the fast food outlet. While the place looks full, there’s no line for the cashiers.

“Do you want something else with your drink? A burger, perhaps?” I ask.

Tara shakes her head. “I already had dinner. Did you have anything to eat?”

My stomach decides to be heard, grumbling loudly. “That’s your answer right there,” I say with a laugh.

“You poor thing. Get a burger! I’ll sit with you while you devour it.”

How can I say no to that?

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