Page 25 of Under Ground
I nod. “And then I’ve got another role I’ve been waiting to hear back about which I’ll be straight into if I get it.”
“Where?”
“Back in LA.” I draw in a breath. “It’s working with Josh Carter and Reece Evans. I’ve worked hard for the part, but they’re taking their sweet time to decide on the casting.”
Lana blinks rapidly, and I reach across the table, placing my hand on hers. “Hey. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere for a while yet.”
“I knew you’d leave, but …”
“If you’re not happy about me leaving, I know I’m right about whatever this is between us.”
Her lips twitch, and she drops her gaze. “I thought that was obvious given Casey’s never had a babysitter before.”
I shuffle my chair around the table until I’m sitting next to her. “That means a lot to me. I hope you know that.”
She flutters her eyelashes—I’m not even sure she’s aware she’s doing it.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Her lips twitch. “Where are we going?”
I stand and hold out my hand. “Why don’t we drive the rest of the way up the peak? It’s a clear night, and I’ve not been there yet.”
Lana takes my outstretched hand. “It’s lovely up there.”
“Let’s go. You’re not too cold, are you?”
She shakes her head. “It’ll be fine in the car.”
“Come on.”
I pay the bill on the way out and open the car door for Lana. Her hand brushes my arm as she steps in and she pauses, looking up at me. I’m going to win this woman’s heart if it’s the last thing I do.
Getting into the driver’s side, I slide the key into the ignition. “You know, the hardest part about being here is this whole ‘driving on the wrong side of the road thing’.”
She shoots me a bemused look. “It’s not the wrong side.”
“It is to me.” I shrug, start the car, and back out of the parking space.
Peak House is about halfway up the hill, and the road gets narrower and windier as we approach the top. But it’s worth the effort.
We picked the right night to come up here.
Tomorrow will be a frosty morning—it’s that cold. But it means the night sky is clear. Below us are the street lights of Havelock North, and beyond that, the Hastings glow. Above us, so many stars twinkle. It all combines for a stunning sight.
I look at Lana. She’s got a small smile on her face as her eyes scan the scenery.
“Great view,” she says.
“Yes. Yes, it is.”
She turns her head and grins. “Not me.”
“Yes, you. I guess the lights of the city are okay too.”
“Thank you for tonight.” Her eyes glisten with happiness.
“I’d like to do it again.”