Page 5 of Chasing Blue
“Yeah, you know, like camping but more glamorous, glamping,” I explain.
“Don’t be ridiculous; there’s nothing glamorous about camping and the flies in the Outback would make the whole thing a big fat nope for me.”
And there it is again, the instant dismissal of anything that sounds fun to me.
I study him as he talks. His sharp, ice-blue eyes, square jaw, and neat, precisely faded hair match his personality perfectly, ordered and controlled. In the beginning, I loved that. Loved having someone who called and messaged, arranged where we’d meet, where we’d eat, I’ve never had that from a man, and it felt good to be looked after.
Until it very quickly didn’t.
“Once I get the case out of the way and I’m back in Melbourne, I’ll book us a nice weekend in the Barossa. We can stay at a winery . . .”
“I’ve been to the Barossa, a couple of times,” I respond. My mouth goes dry, and my stomach sinks as I speak.
Realisation dawning that I now know for sure I need to end this short-lived relationship.
Tonight.
Matt’s leaving in the morning for Sydney, where he’s representing a client charged with insider share dealing. He’s a partner for a large business law firm based in Melbourne, but his work takes him all over Australia and sometimes to Asia and the Middle East.
“Tassie then. We can have a night in Hobart, go to the casino, then drive up to Launceston . . .”
“I’ve been to Tassie too. Besides, I’m flat out at work for the next few months. Any time off I take, it’ll be to go glamping with Zoe in the Northern Territory, or Darwin, or wherever the crocodile man has his glamp site,” I snap.
My appetite ruined, I set my cutlery down on my plate as I talk, staring at the food on it for a long moment.
Matt remains silent, but when I look up and our eyes meet, he gives a small laugh and shakes his head.
“We’ll see,” he murmurs.
I finish the wine in my glass that Matt ordered and look around to get the waiter’s attention with a chin lift. His eyes meet mine, and he makes his way over with a cocky smile. He’s young and gorgeous. That smile and those dimples probably earn him decent tips, but I’m not in the mood to flirt tonight. Not that I usually would while on a date, but Matt has pissed me off enough that for a second, I consider it.
“Is there something else I can get you?” the waiter asks.
“Gin and tonic please. Do you have any pink or blood orange?”
“There’s more wine in the bottle,” Matt interrupts.
I slice my eyes to his, giving him a look which hopefully clearly states—I’m pissed off, and you need to shut the fuck up—before looking back at the waiter, whose smirk makes it apparentheat least gets that I’m not happy.
“We have an amazing Ginfusion blood orange and Japanese Yuzu . . .”
“That’ll do.” I don’t need the rest of his spiel. I’m sold. “Ice and a slice of whatever,” I add.
“Of course,” the waiter adds before retreating to order my drink.
I cast my gaze back to Matt, who’s staring at his plate as a tick twitches in his tensed jaw.
‘He’s a narcissist, Scar. It’s not normal, the way he’s already trying to control you.’
My best friend and business partner, Zoe’s words replay in my head as I watch him.
“You going to finish your food?” Matt asks without looking up.
“Nope,” I pop the P when answering. “I’m gonna nip to the bathroom.”
I grab my bag and leave without waiting on his response. As soon as I’m in the hallway leading to the toilets, I pull out my phone and call Zoe.
“Sup, bitch,” she answers immediately.
