time.’
‘That’s an added incentive...but how?’
Lu waved her hand in the air—a gesture he now realised she used when she didn’t want to pursue a subject. Or when she was trying to be brave.
‘Would you consider doing things like pottery lessons? Dance classes?’
‘I was thinking about dinner and a movie. But I’d consider anything...if you gave me a reason.’
Lu shook her head. ‘It’s not important and....it’s silly.’
‘Tell me, Lu.’
She heaved in a huge sigh and stared at the table. ‘Before they left for uni my brothers told me that they were worried about me being on my own so much and that they wanted me to start getting out more, start doing stuff. They want me to have some fun, to get out and do things.’
Seeing the flash of misery in her eyes, he reached out to comfort her and allowed himself the rare privilege of stroking his hand down her arm from elbow to wrist. Her bare skin was soft and cool under the pads of his fingers.
‘What things?’
‘Clubbing was one of them...skydiving, surfing, dance lessons. Pottery classes. A job—but that’s sorted.’ Lu smiled her thanks at the waiter, who placed their drinks on the table. Irish coffee for her, plain coffee for Will. ‘I promised I would. And I have been doing some stuff. But it would be so much more fun if I had someone to do it with.’
Judging by the confusion Will saw in her eyes, he suspected that Lu was dealing with a lot more than she was saying. But her expression begged him not to pursue it.
You have been alone and dealing with far too much for far too long, Mermaid, he told her silently. He knew what that felt like.
Pull it back to the surface, Scott. To less dangerous waters.
He groaned theatrically. ‘Dance lessons? Pottery? Good Lord.’ Will tapped his finger against the table, his expression thoughtful. ‘We could listen to live bands and definitely go skydiving—’
‘Uh, no!’
‘I could teach you to surf.’
‘I’d consider that. Ice skating?’
‘Blergh. Wet and cold. I’d consider pottery lessons if you’d consider dirt bike riding, getting out into the country. I know it’s not a girl thing, but you might find it fun.’
Under the table Will’s knee brushed Lu’s and a bolt of awareness barrelled straight to his groin. Could he do this? Could he ignore this buzz of sexual attraction and be her friend?
Could he stop thinking about the kiss that never was? Stop replaying the way her eyes had half lowered and glinted green, the way her hands had held his hips, the brief taste of that perfect mouth?
He had to...there was no other choice. He was leaving soon and she was too dangerous to be around long-term because he suspected that she could—maybe—make him think about whether sparks could last and keep burning...
‘Will? What do you think? Should we do this? Can we do this?’
He knew what she was asking... Could they do this without it getting complicated, messy? It was hard to meet her eyes, to see but ignore the corresponding flash of heat he recognised in them. He had to dismiss it, he realized. Just as she did. Because she wasn’t ready to get involved he wouldn’t get involved, so companionship was the only prize that was up for grabs.
‘It’ll be fine, Lu.’
If we can keep our hands off each other. Because if we can’t then all bets are off.
Will sighed. He could really do with a stiff drink.
As they followed the signs past the main house to The Pottery Shed Lu flicked her finger against Will’s shoulder. ‘I thought I said that you should wear old clothes—not a nifty Zoo York T-shirt and cargo shorts.’
She was wearing an ancient shirt, cut-off jeans and flip-flops. Will looked down at his chest and sent her the evil eye. ‘When I was packing my clothes in Auckland I didn’t think I’d be going to pottery lessons! This is the oldest shirt I have here.’
‘I could have lent you one of the twins’ old T-shirts.’ Lu said as they approached a barn at the back of the property. ‘And stop moaning. I’ve agreed to go dirt bike riding next week.’
‘I want to take you skydiving.’
‘Not on your life.’ Lu shuddered. ‘And what do you mean...take me?’
‘I’m certified to do tandem jumps...we could do one together.’
‘Uh, let me think about that.’ Lu pretended to peer up at the sky. Two seconds later she spoke again. ‘Thought about it...no. Nope. No way. Never.’
‘Wuss,’ Will said as a long, tall, elderly woman dressed in tie-dyed pants and a glowing caftan drifted from the barn.
Lu stepped forward and held out her hand. ‘Hi, I’m Lu. Are you...?’
The woman’s eyes drifted across their faces and she sent them a vague look. ‘Kate. And I’m stoned.’
Lu looked at Will and lifted her eyebrows. ‘You’re stoned?’
‘New supplier. His stuff is wicked good.’
‘But our lesson...’ Lu wailed, ignoring Will’s smile of satisfaction.
Kate’s hand wafted somewhere behind her head. ‘Go on in—clay’s in the bucket next to the wheel. Slap some on the wheel, hit the pedal, move your hands up and down. Make something. Lock up when you leave.’
‘But... But...’ Lu stuttered.
‘Namaste,’ Kate murmured, and weaved away in the general direction of the house.
Will folded his arms and watched her leave. ‘Did you pay her?’
Lu pouted. ‘No. I was going to pay her when we were finished.’
‘Good. Then let’s get out of here,’ Will said, his expression a combination of smirky and relieved.
Lu narrowed her eyes at him. ‘Uh-uh. You’re not getting off that easily. Everything is set up...how hard can it be?’
Will groaned. ‘Aw, Lu, come on! Let’s go for a walk on the beach, have a beer, watch the sun go down.’
‘Nope.’ Lu said stubbornly. ‘If I have to do dirt bikes then you have to try this.’
* * *
Will stepped through the open door to the studio, put his hands on his hips and looked around. Shelves packed with vases, bowls and vessels of every shape and
