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  ‘I’m just... me,’ she said softly.

  ‘Amazing you.’ He kissed her forehead, then held her close.

  For a while they did nothing but simply breathe together, as they held each other, their bodies calming down and cooling down.

  The soothing crackle of twigs in the fire pit, along with the occasional sprinkle of kisses, nourished her body and soul, as she lay there completely exposed yet protected in the arms of the man she’d always longed for.

  This wasn’t what heaven felt like. This was home.

  Chapter 25

  Light pried open Luca’s eyes and he sat bolt upright at a sudden sound intruding on his sleep. ‘What the hell was that?’

  ‘Huh?’ a gentle murmuring sounded.

  He glanced next to him. Hannah lay there with the blanket over her eyes.

  The roosters crowed again and he chuckled.

  Of course. I’m on a chicken farm.

  ‘Hannah, wake up,’ he whispered, placing a hand on her blanket-covered arm. ‘We accidentally fell asleep.’

  ‘Huh?’ the murmuring repeated. She was clearly immune to the sound of roosters signalling morning light. And clearly needed more sleep. But sleep would have to wait, they had a lot to do today.

  He found his clothes on the grass, checked for stray ants or spiders or whatever insects roamed around out here, then got dressed. He did the same for Hannah’s clothes, but held them towards her.

  ‘Here you go, my dear. Your clothes.’

  ‘Huh?’ this time she rolled over and her eyes slowly opened. On seeing him, her eyelids flicked wide open and she sat upright, holding the blanket to her chest. ‘What? Oh my God. We slept outdoors.’ She looked at him, and he smiled at her wayward bed hair sticking up at all angles. ‘Luca, we slept here. We’re outside. In winter. We slept...’

  Together.

  It was like she’d just remembered. Her cheeks brightened with a subtle peach hue.

  He kissed her forehead. ‘It’s okay. No one else out here but us.’

  A rooster crowed.

  ‘And that annoying alarm clock I’ll have to get used to.’

  Hannah buried her face in her hands. ‘Oh man.’ She scrambled for her clothes and got dressed discreetly under the blanket.

  Luca grabbed his belongings and the remains of last night’s late-night picnic, and gestured to the house with a tilt of his head. ‘Mind if I... deal with these and use your bathroom?’

  ‘Go ahead,’ she said. ‘I need to feed those chooks.’ She stood. ‘Actually, bathroom first.’

  He felt like taking her hand but his hands were full.

  ‘Okay. Let’s ah, go inside, and... let’s go inside.’

  Disorientation confused him. He wasn’t sure what to do or what to say now.

  ‘Yep. Inside. Bathroom. Then chooks. Then...’ She scratched her head. ‘I need to find my schedule for today. What day is it? Is it... oh. The launch. Oh my God, we have to get organised!’

  ‘It’s okay, we’re still on track. Might even have time for breakfast.’ Hannah looked as confused as him. ‘If you want to, or I’ll just ah, go back home and eat there, and ah, see you later on.’

  She didn’t respond, her mind appearing to be ticking over with a million things, and, he presumed, one of them probably being him and the situation they’d gotten themselves into.

  After using the bathroom, he checked his phone. A text from Nathan: Hope you didn’t get cold feet on the launch and do a runner, mate.

  He replied: Not at all, got carried away with so much to prepare. Slept at work. Be back soon for a shower.

  He felt a bit weird giving a white lie, but there was no need to invade Hannah’s privacy, especially when it came to Nathan.

  There was also a text from Stefan, which had come in late last night: Hope you’re all set for the launch. I have an afternoon coffee date with someone new and will then make my way straight to Tarrin’s Bay after.

  He replied: So not ALL women are crazy?

  Hopefully not this one;)

  He smiled, and hoped Stefan wouldn’t get carried away and be late.

  Hannah came out of the bathroom with her hair tied back in a tiny ponytail, and her face with a few droplets of water left on it. ‘Have to feed Scarlett.’ She went into the laundry room and left the door open. As she prepared water and food, Scar walked slowly into the hallway and looked at him. Just stared. Like, ‘what on earth are you doing here at my breakfast time?’

  The dog began eating and Hannah gestured outside. ‘Chooks next.’

  ‘Do you want me to help?’ he asked. ‘Or maybe I can make breakfast while you do that, so it’s ready when you’re done. Save some time.’

  ‘Oh it’s okay, I can manage, I’ll just...’ she looked at her watch. ‘Okay then. Thanks, that would be good.’

  If it were any other day, perhaps they’d bring their breakfast outside for another leisurely picnic, and spend the day talking, laughing, and loving, surrounded by nature and birds and animals.

  But it wasn’t. It was one of the biggest days of his life, and he had to make it a success. Processing, or talking about last night’s interlude would have to wait.

  As he prepared some zucchini fritters he watched her outside the window, carrying the wheelbarrow to the coop. Her foot tripped on something and the barrow tipped sideways.

  He went out to the verandah. ‘You okay?’

  She turned to face him, and held up a hand, in between trying to scoop up some of the feed that had escaped. ‘All good. I’ve got it.’

  He nodded and returned to the kitchen.

  Soon, this would be his. He would be cooking here every day, as well as the restaurant. But as she disappeared from view when she went into the coop, a loneliness crept into the room.

  It would be just him.

  No noise of city hustle and bustle, no brother around to poke fun at, no parents, and no Hannah.

  He shook the thought away and let the oil heat up in the pan.

  He’d be fine. He’d get used to the chooks as companions and he’d be busy at the restaurant most of the time anyway. And the peace and quiet here would be a welcome change.

  The breakfast was ready before she was, so he found some smoked salmon in the fridge and added it on top of the zucchini fritters, along with a dollop of lemon mayonnaise he found in a jar in the fridge.

  It just needs some dill...

  He checked the spice rack, and was about to go outside to search her herb garden, but she stepped through the door, a couple of cartons of eggs in her hands.

  ‘The rest are in the storage chest. I’ll deal with them later. Here, take one back home with you.’

  ‘Thanks,’ he said.

  ‘Oh yum.’ Her gaze dropped to the dining table. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Hope you’ll still have an appetite for tonight’s food after this bountiful breakfast.’

  ‘I think I’ve gained a few kilograms since you’ve been in town, Luca.’ She chuckled. ‘So much great food.’

  ‘Life is for living, and to live we need to eat. So dig in.’ He pulled out a chair for her and she sat.

  As though she hadn’t eaten for days, she devoured the fritters quickly, stopping briefly to give a thumbs up.

  ‘I can make more if that’s not enough.’

  She shook her head, then after swallowing her mouthful she said, ‘It’s plenty. It’s really nice.’

  ‘Wait till tonight,’ he winked. ‘Though you’ve already tried most of the meals. Except my gogosi.’

  ‘Gogo what?’

  ‘Gogosi. A Romanian doughnut type of thing.’

  ‘In that case, I’m definitely saving my appetite so I can fit in dessert.’ She finished her breakfast, as did he, and he took the plates to the dishwasher.

  ‘Anything I can do here to help before you come over to Home?’

  She shook her head. ‘I’ll just freshen up then come over and see how things are getting on, make sure we’re all good to go, then I’ll come back h
ere to get dressed for the evening and make my way back before the guests start arriving.’

  ‘Sounds like a plan.’

  ‘It is. All planned.’

  Unlike last night.

  Hannah stood and exhaled a deep breath. She looked him in the eye, as though she wanted to say something. ‘Luca, I...’

  He gave an anticipatory nod. ‘Yes?’

  ‘I’ll see you later on.’ She flashed a smile.

  ‘Oh. Yes. Indeed.’ He pocketed his phone and wallet, found his keys, and went for the door. She met him at the doorway but kept her distance. ‘Hannah,’ he said. ‘I know things are probably a bit confusing right now. But last night was... perfect. I know we’ll have to talk about it sometime, but...’ He wanted to talk about it now, or better yet, forget the talking and share more of what they shared last night, but he regained his focus. ‘Today is a big day. We’ve both worked hard. Let’s go make this a raving success, shall we?’ He challenged her with a determined gaze and a winning smile, at least he hoped it looked like a winning smile from her point of view.

  ‘Huh, HD?’ He nudged her with his elbow.

  ‘Let’s do it.’ Her face became strong and determined. She held out her fist.

  He tapped her fist with his and smiled.

  Today was the day, and he would make his parents proud.

  Chapter 26

  HOME—Opening Night Set Menu

  Appetisers

  Salmon and Quail Egg Bites ~ Creamed avocado on French bread topped with smoked salmon and quail egg

  Polenta Rounds ~ crispy polenta mini-pancakes with macadamia pesto and sundried tomato Garlic and Chili Prawns ~ with aioli dipping sauce

  Mini Frittatas ~ with Mediterranean vegetable and goats’ fetta

  Honey Beef Chipolatas ~ certified organic and grass-fed mini sausages

  Main (choice of)

  Organic Chicken and Capsicum Cassolette with cauliflower rice

  Poached Barramundi in lemongrass, chili, and ginger-infused coconut broth

  Rosemary Lamb Meatballs with Napolitano sauce and spaghetti

  Ratatouille with organic local vegetables and fresh herbs, and toasted olive bread

  Dessert (tasting plate of mini desserts)

  Gogosi ~ Traditional Romanian doughnut

  Coconut and Mocha Mousse

  Chia Cup with fresh seasonal fruit

  Fig and walnut apple crumble

  Red Velvet cupcakes with white chocolate ganache

  Salted Caramel Pudding with ice cream

  ***

  Hannah smoothed down her black dress, a new one she’d bought just for the occasion since most of her good clothes were packed away, and exhaled slowly to help herself relax. She took three more deep breaths and paused to take in her surroundings, to ground herself, to become aware of the present moment instead of rushing to the next and the next. A little pre-event ritual she’d developed over the years.

  All the candles on the tables were lit, the old-school jazz music was playing in the background, and the restaurant smelled like jasmine, with a subtle hint of the ingredients being prepared in the kitchen behind closed doors.

  Luca emerged from the kitchen, adjusting his button-up silvery-grey shirt. ‘Okey dokey, my job is done for the time being. Finally out of my chef whites and into my evening attire. Now I can greet everyone and mingle before dinner gets underway.’ He rubbed his hands together, and his gaze stopped on Hannah. ‘You look gorgeous, you know.’

  She lowered her gaze a moment, then looked up. ‘I know, right?’ she said, waving a hand around her body, then chuckled. ‘Who would have thought I could pull off a dress, huh?’

  He approached, leaned in and whispered, ‘I can pull it off later.’

  She gave his arm a light whack. ‘Luca!’ she whispered.

  Her insides tingled with anticipation like they had the night before, but they also tingled with uncertainty. The night had been perfect, and today was shaping up to be a huge success, but after tonight, she didn’t know what was going to happen. And that unsettled her. The only way she could be certain was to take control. To decide what she wanted to happen afterwards and make it happen. But he wouldn’t like her decision. So for now, she would have to keep things lighthearted, and stay professional to ensure a smooth running of the event.

  They walked upstairs briefly to check on the wait staff who had platters and drinks prepared. They stood there at the ready, like toys waiting to be wound up before they could move, or actors in a stage show waiting for the curtains to part. ‘Looking good, folks,’ Luca said. ‘But relax a bit, okay?’

  They nodded and pretended to look a bit busier.

  They returned downstairs, just in time to see two people walking towards the restaurant.

  ‘It’s Stefan!’

  ‘It’s Karen!’

  They both spoke at the same time, then looked at each other, then back at the couple.

  ‘Huh?’ Luca said. ‘Do they know each other?’

  ‘No, unless she remembered him from high school, but he was two years below us.’

  Hmm, Karen had said she was chatting to someone online who seemed decent and would hopefully meet them on the weekend, but Hannah had been so busy with the launch preparations and last night that she hadn’t checked in with her. Was it Stefan she had been talking about?

  Hannah caught Karen’s eyes with a welcoming but questioning glance and Luca opened the door.

  ‘Welcome, my brother!’ Luca gave Stefan a hug.

  ‘Hi!’ Hannah said to Karen, hugging her too. ‘Luca, remember Karen?’

  ‘I do indeed, long time no see! How are you?’ He gave her a quick hug and a kiss on both cheeks.

  ‘I’m great, thanks, Luca.’

  ‘And you might remember my brother Stefan, Hannah?’

  She smiled at him, a younger and chubbier version of Luca, and just as endearing. ‘So nice to see you.’ Hannah received the double-cheek kiss from Stefan.

  ‘You haven’t aged a day,’ he said.

  ‘Oh, thanks.’ She held a hand to her cheek. ‘So, I see you two have already met?’ She alternated her gaze between them.

  They both grinned.

  ‘Did you meet each other in the harbour car park?’ asked Luca.

  Stefan shook his head, then eyed Karen as though asking her a silent question. She gave a nod. ‘We only just met today for coffee, in Sydney. We’ve been chatting for a couple of weeks online.’

  Hannah’s eyes widened. ‘Small world!’

  ‘Yes. And here I was thinking I wasn’t having any luck,’ Karen said, ‘then along comes someone who can finally hold a decent conversation and who shows a woman some respect.’

  Stefan slid an appreciative arm around Karen. ‘I thought I was the one not having any luck. But looks like today the tables have turned.’ He smiled, and they smiled at each other, and Hannah could feel the chemistry between them. She exchanged a quick and curious glance with Luca.

  ‘What a coincidence,’ Luca said. ‘And when did you realise the connection, with me, and with Hannah?’

  For a moment she thought he meant the connection between her and Luca, but then realised what he really meant.

  ‘I told Karen I couldn’t stay too long as I had to attend an important function,’ Stefan explained.

  ‘And then,’ Karen added. ‘I said “oh really, I have an important function on too, where’s yours?”’

  ‘And I said “Tarrin’s Bay” and her mouth dropped open... so cute, by the way... and she said—’

  ‘Me too!’

  They looked at each other again and smiled.

  ‘I said “It’s not a restaurant launch by any chance is it?” and he said “my brother’s!” and I said “my friend Hannah is the event manager!”’

  ‘How amazing is that!’ Luca said, giving his brother a light touch on the arm.

  ‘Wow.’ Hannah exchanged a happy smile with Karen.

  ‘So it looks like I have a date for the evening,’ Stefan
winked. ‘Can you, ah, make some adjustments to the table seating at last notice?’

  ‘Onto it!’ Hannah raised a pointed finger, and dashed to her table where her parents and Karen would also be seated, and swapped one of the other randomly allocated placings with Stefan’s, who was supposed to be sitting on Nathan’s table, along with a few other locals. Part of her process was to always have a few contingency plans in place for cases of no-shows, cancellations, unexpected extra guests, or situations requiring changes to seating. ‘I hope you don’t mind listening to my parents talk about our family history all night,’ she said.

  ‘I would be delighted to learn about the family history, Hannah,’ he said in a posh voice, then exchanged a look with his brother as though they were sharing a private joke.

  ‘Oh speak of the devil.’ Hannah pointed outside. ‘Here they are, ten minutes early as usual.’

  Heads turned.

  ‘I haven’t seen them in so long,’ Karen said. ‘I really should get down here to visit more often.’ She glanced at Hannah. ‘Although, I won’t need to, now that you’ll be my roomie!’

  ‘Yes!’ They gave each other a little squeeze, and Luca seemed to have developed a slight itch on his neck. She couldn’t wait to tell Karen what had happened last night, get everything off her chest and out of her system... she really needed to debrief, but now wasn’t the time.

  ‘Karen, dear!’ Kathleen Delaney held out her arms for her daughter’s best friend. ‘You look lovely, how nice to see you.’ They hugged and Karen complimented Hannah’s mum on her haircut and gemstone jewellery.

  ‘Mr Delaney, glad you’re doing well.’ Karen embraced Hannah’s father.

  ‘Fit as a fiddle,’ he said. ‘Though how a fiddle is fit I have no idea. Maybe fit as a finch? Light and free as a bird?’

  ‘That sounds better.’ Karen agreed.

  Her parents greeted and congratulated Luca then her mother did the most embarrassing thing...

  ‘Stefan, dear. It’s lovely to see you.’ She hugged him. ‘What a charming and handsome young man you are. Can I give those gorgeous cheeks a squeeze?’ She held out her hands and Hannah almost fainted.

  ‘Mum!’ she whispered, even though everyone could hear.

  Luca just laughed. ‘Sorry, bro, I told them the story.’