Page 44 of Masquerade

“I’m finding it hard to remember we’re just colleagues.” He traced her bottom lip with a finger, this confession as seductive as his first.

He knew every word to “It ain’t me, babe” and had sung along with Johnny and June Carter Cash. He’d reminded her she was proud of her parents; let her glimpse what it was like to be understood by someone other than Anna.

“That’s because we’re not just colleagues.” She placed her fingers against his lips, struggling to disentangle the overlapping connections between colleague, friend and potential lover. “It’s rare for me to be so attracted.” And the monumental error she’d made last time had left scars. “I’m also ‘not lookin’ for someone.’”

Threading his fingers through hers, he rested their linked hands against his chest. “Then we’re starting from the same place.”

* * *

“Drive past the supermarket.” Liam issued instructions on the drive through Montveau township. “There’s an old-fashioned general store around the corner.”

With him directing, she parked at the quaint, family convenience store.

“Just for basics,” Liam explained. “There should be tea, coffee and a few staples in the rental.” He collected a cane basket from beside the counter. “Breakfast and late-night snacks.”

“I try to avoid late-night snacks.” She spoke with the piety of a healthy eater or someone with zero resistance.

“I won’t hold you to that.” He winked. Liam had already loaded milk, Vegemite and some bananas into the basket when she caught up with him at the end of the row.

“I prefer blueberries.” She added the punnet.

“Bread?”

“Sourdough.” She reached for a loaf.

“Whole wheat is better for you,” he deadpanned.

She hesitated with the loaf halfway to the basket.

“If you choose the bread, I choose the cereal.” Liam raised his eyes to the ceiling, getting an unexpected kick out of negotiating comestibles. Far too easy to imagine they were stocking up for a weekend away. A romantic tryst. He blamed the sunshine in her kiss for his fuzzy thinking.

“Which cereal?” Her tone betrayed her dilemma, but he’d noticed her attention on the porridge section while he collected the other basics.

“Porridge.” He brought his gaze back in time to see a smile curve her mouth.

“I can live with that.” She dropped the sourdough in the basket, then backtracked to collect oats.

Liam headed for the checkout. While he waited for her, he flipped through the pile of secondhand books stacked in a box. The copy of Nora Robert’sThe Searchcaught his eye, so he tossed it in the basket.

“What?” he said, when she picked it up. “I’ll need some light reading up here. It was one of Mum’s favourites.” She rolled her eyes. “Doesn’t your commitment to romance survive the cold light of day?” He looked down his nose. “You preach about its quality in the library and are a snob outside.”

“I’ve read it,” she admitted. “In the cold light of day.”

“I remember it has dogs in it. Great dogs.” He enjoyed teasing her. Almost as much as he liked kissing her. And, now he thought about it, talking to her.

She rolled her eyes a second time.

“The hero and heroine. They’re living just fine alone. Each independent and strong. They’re better together.” She picked up items as the shop assistant processed them, stacking them in her stuff sack. “Able to be their best selves.”

“Cash or card?” the assistant asked.

Liam waved his credit card over the reader. “Thank you.” Then he took the stuff sack from Kate. “Is that your definition of romance?”

“Part of it. It’s a reason to read romance. Why do you still read it?” she countered. “Does a tiny part of you still believe in romance, or are you a dog lover?”

“I like dogs.” Liam had dug this hole all by himself. “I may have overstated my position in the library.”

“That romantic love is an illusion?” She tossed his words back at him.

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