Page 130 of Even Ground

“What? He’s cute,” she says.

Alex laughs. “I like her.”

“Don’t like her too much. I just got her.”

All that does is make them both laugh. Time to change the subject.

“We should have dinner or something to celebrate. Have you got some time?”

He looks back over his shoulder. “I should be finished up here around four I think. It depends though. You know how things go.”

“How about I give you my number, and you text me when you’re ready. We’re not in a hurry to leave town.” Pania meets my gaze with a raised eyebrow. I grab hold of her hand and raise it to my lips. “We can stay another night.”

She beams. “I like that idea.”

Alex looks between us and smiles. “Sounds good. Things have gone pretty well today. I think we should be good.”

“Great.”

I give him my number, we shake hands again, and he turns to go back. “Talk to you later.”

Pania’s cousin steps through the gate, and opens his arms. She beams as he hugs her before stepping back. “Give my love to your mum.”

“I will,” Pania says.

As we walk away, she links her arm in mine and leans against me. “That went well.”

“It did. I think you managed to wipe up all your drool.”

All she does is laugh.

* * *

After a day of Pania showing me around, my phone buzzes just after 4:30, and I swipe to answer Alex’s call.

“Alex.”

“Hey, Reece. I’m all yours if you want to go somewhere for dinner.”

I grin. “Great. Pania’s found a restaurant and made reservations. No need to dress up, it’s just casual.”

“Sounds good. The last thing I need today is to have to worry about dressing up. It’s been a long one.”

“I bet. I’ll text you the details.”

Pania steps into the room as I finish the call, and I catch my breath. Her dark green dress hugs her curves, and her long hair is slicked back into a top knot.

She’s fiddling with her earrings while watching me. “Are you getting changed?”

I shake my head. “No, I think I’m fine like this. It’s a bit early. We’re not meeting until six.”

“We could go for a drink first.”

“We could …” I grab her by the waist and pull her down onto my lap. “Or we could fool around for an hour and then go.”

We fool around, and I can’t get enough. And now I’m annoyed we made dinner arrangements. And have to leave.

It’s just after six when we walk into the restaurant, and Pania buries her face in my bicep and laughs at the sight of Alex waiting at the table for us.