Page 98 of Outback Secrets
Chapter Twenty-eight
The pub was heaving with people—everyone drinking, laughing, singing along to Liam’s playlist, some even dancing. It was his favourite sight in the world, yet he’d lost track of how many times he’d glanced at his watch since coming back from the beach four hours ago. He wished time would just hurry the hell up so everyone would disappear and he could once again be alone with Henri.
Every muscle in his body clenched in anticipation.
He’d thought after their recent shenanigans that his need for her might be waning but that didn’t seem to be the case at all. That kiss in his ute this afternoon had to be one of the hottest of his life. If half the town hadn’t been lingering nearby at the time, he might have had her right there in the middle of the car park.
But it wasn’t just the sex. Everything about her attracted him—her strong, feisty nature, her terrible cooking skills, the way she ate Tim Tams as if it were an Olympic event, not to mention her expertise in the air. Watching her take control of the plane had been one of the sexiest things he’d ever seen. Her competence and courage awed him. He’d had more fun with Henri in their short time together than he’d had in the last thirteen years, but without even realising it, she’d also challenged him. The fact he’d taken her to the Christmas event on the beach this afternoon was testament to this. No way he’d have done that for anyone else. He wasn’t about to start playing carols in the pub or wearing reindeer ears on his head anytime soon, but it hadn’t been as painful as he’d imagined. Not with Henri there beside him.
He should be worried about feeling so much for someone, but she was leaving in a week so he simply wanted to make the most of the time they had left.
His eyes kept drifting over to where she was sitting at a table with Stella Burton, who couldn’t be on her feet for long either. When she and Adam had first walked in this evening, Liam had made the mistake of asking if she should really be out in her condition. That question had earned him an icy glare from Stella and a ‘you’re game’ from Adam.
‘This is probably my last night of freedom for who knows how long. I intend to make the most of it,’ she said, before promptly ordering a glass of water.
Sitting with Stella and Henri now were a number of other locals, including Mark Morgan, recently returned AFL hero. You’d think he’d returned from a war-torn country the way some of the women in town were going on. And not just the women.
Henri laughed at something he said and Liam felt a pang in his chest. Normally, he was quite happy to be a spectator to the goings-on in the pub, but tonight he resented that work was keeping him away from her. Tonight he wanted to be at that table beside her, chatting with the group and being the one to make Henri laugh.
‘Hello. Earth to Liam. Can I get some drinks?’
Liam blinked to see Monty standing at the bar, waiting. Lara was already serving and Dylan was off collecting empties. ‘Sorry. Of course. What would you like?’
‘Another bottle of sav blanc and three more pints of Carlton, please.’
‘Coming right up. How’s things down in Mount Barker?’ Liam asked as he grabbed the wine from the fridge.
‘Living the dream,’ Monty replied, a broad grin on his face as he glanced over to where Faith and Ruby had joined Henri and the others. He gave Liam a quick rundown of what they’d been up to in the two and a half years since they’d moved.
‘Good to hear things are going so well,’ Liam said as he filled the pints. He’d always liked Monty and had been as stoked as everyone else in town when he and Faith had finally realised that—as well as being the best of friends—they were meant to be together.
‘But it’s great to be back in the Bay for Christmas,’ Monty added. ‘And as much as I adore the rugrats, it’s so good to have a night out with Faith and a proper chance to catch up with everyone. Hope Clancy and Mabel aren’t giving Frank too much grief though.’
Liam smiled; it was hard to imagine Monty’s father-in-law—a tough Aussie farmer if ever there was one—taking care of a baby and a toddler, but of course he didn’t say that. ‘I’m sure he’ll be fine. You should just enjoy your night.’
‘Thanks, mate. That’s the plan. By the way, I heard about you and Henri. Wasn’t sure I actually believed it until I saw you guys on the beach this arvo, but I’m happy for you both. She’s a great chick.’
‘What didn’t you believe?’
‘Well, no offence, but I’ve never seen you, you know, serious about anyone. And since Max, far as I know, Henri’s the same. Long before I got together with Faith, Henri’s mum tried to get us together, but it was clear she wasn’t interested in settling down anymore.’
Anymore? Henri had always given Liam the impression that she’d always been happily footloose and fancy-free, but Monty’s words made it sound otherwise. He almost said, ‘Who’s Max?’ but caught himself just in time. Max was clearly someone he—as Henri’s boyfriend—should know about.
‘Here, let me help you with those,’ he said instead, grabbing two of the pints before Monty could argue.
Henri glanced up and smiled at him as he delivered the drinks to their table. He couldn’t resist the urge to lean down and steal a quick kiss.
‘Having a good night?’ he asked, resting his hand on her shoulder.
‘Yes. What about you? It’s so busy.’
‘I like busy. Your ankle not giving you too much grief, is it?’
‘Only the occasional twinge, actually.’ She lifted her near-empty pint glass. ‘Guinness is good medicine.’
He grinned and took it. ‘I’ll go get you another.’
‘My hero,’ she said as he turned to go.