Page 17 of One Weekend in Perth

“How about both? We can do Kings Park first. Maybe grab some lunch while we’re there and then hit up Elizabeth Quay. If we find ourselves hungry again, we can grab dinner there.”

“I like that idea. But first, can we go back to the hotel so I can grab my jacket, and we should probably get some sunscreen?”

“Definitely.” He stroked a finger down her arm and electricity sparked to life. “Wouldn’t want you to get sunburnt,” he finished quietly.

Ben was sending so many signals, Clara didn’t know what to make of them, but she was tired of questioning everything. For today, she wanted to push all the doubts and misgivings aside and live in the moment. Live in the presence of her best friend.

Clara’s feet ached,but in a good way. If she had one of those smart watches that tracked how far she walked, she would bet she and Ben racked up over fifteen thousand steps. The day was so fun and carefree, like he too had decided not to question anything and just enjoy spending time together.

They crossed one of the walkways that hung over the Swan River at Elizabeth Quay. The sun was setting, and a light breeze drifted over her arms. “Are you hungry?” she asked.

Lunch had consisted of a shared large panini from one of the food kiosks in Kings Park while they sat on the grass and looked over the city. But that was a long time ago, and she was more than ready to have some more food.

“Famished. All this walking burns calories.” Ben grabbed her hand and steered her out of the way of a runaway toddler being chased by an older sibling. Their laughter filled the air and Clara smiled at the frazzled parents chasing them down.

Once they’d passed she expected Ben to drop her hand, but he didn't. He kept her hand firmly in his. Now she didn’t want them to find a place to eat because that would mean he would have to let go of her and she didn’t want that at all.

Without conscious thought she squeezed his hand and received a corresponding one. She looked over at him and found him looking at her. His gaze intense. The gold in his hazel eyes stood out.

“Ben?” she whispered, unsure what she was asking him for but knowing that she needed something. What she needed she didn’t know. All she knew was that she wanted a sign that hewas with her all the way. That, he too, wanted to shift their relationship from being friends to being … more.

His hand came up and brushed away the hair that had escaped from her ponytail and touched her cheek. And just like when he took her hand, tingles spread across her skin. “Clara, you are so special to me.”

There it was, the lead in to letting her down gently.You’re so special to me as a friend.Or,you’re so special that any man would be lucky to have you.

If he said that last one she was going to follow through on her thoughts from earlier and move to another part of the state. Or a city in Australia. Or go somewhere else in the world. Anywhere so she wouldn’t run into him.

He didn’t say any of the things she imagined. What he did do was close the gap between them and kiss her gently on the lips, before dropping his hands to his sides again. A soft touch that was over before it began, but it set her body alight. Had her wanting more. Had her imagining things she shouldn’t imagine with Ben.

It also left her confused.

What did he mean to tell her with the kiss?

She was special enough to kiss gently, but nothing more.

“What’s happening here, Ben?” she asked after a few heartbeats. The sounds of people chatting as they passed reminded her they were in public where anyone could hear or see them.

“Honestly?” he asked.

“Yes. I need the truth.” He still stood close to her, his body warmth reaching out. Their fingers brushing lightly against each other.

Ben looked around as if he was making sure that they weren’t being overheard. Or that there wasn’t anyone they knew nearby,which was ridiculous because whenever she went out she hardly ever ran into people she knew. “I don’t know, Clarabelle.”

Well, that cleared everything up.

“You don’t know? What was that kiss for then? Or saying I was special?” Her voice rose in annoyance, and she took a deep breath to try and remain calm.

“Look, how about we go get something to eat? We can talk about this then.”

Clara didn’t know what to make of the brushoff, but she had to agree that talking about something as intense as what was happening between them was better done someplace other than the middle of a busy walkway. “Okay, fine, although I don’t know that a restaurant will be any more private.”

“We can find a nice quiet one. And this early, it shouldn’t be too busy.” He smiled enticingly, and she couldn’t resist.

“Right.” She moved away from him, even though she wanted nothing more than to clasp his hand tightly in hers and never let go.

She was so gone, it wasn’t funny.

Chapter 9

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