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CHAPTER TEN

Bea couldn’t rememberbeing this excited. Ever. She pressed her hand to her belly, where acrobats daily practised a different routine. A weekend away with Cas. A weekend where she could forget work, Jackson, family, mortgages and just enjoy Casildo’s company.

My idea of heaven.

Telling her about his dreams and his desire to prove himself to his father had opened another door between them. A shared understanding of obligations to family, of the limitations those obligations placed on other relationships.

He’s got a business to establish.

I’ve got a mortgage to repay.

We’ve been honest. No harm, no foul.

A discreet, time- and space-limited affair, spectacular and dramatic like a moon flower blossoming overnight. Nature decreed that despite its beauty, the flower didn’t bloom again.

No one knew they were sharing this apartment.

He was probably right to move slowly, but Bea was afraid they’d still be moving slowly when it was time for her to go home.

So, on Friday morning, Bea was up, packed and bouncing from foot to foot by the time Casildo said they were good to go. She added a small esky and a box of foodstuffs to her overnight suitcase at the front door.

“I thought we’d stop in Bowral for breakfast.” Casildo had returned from loading his gear and was studying her pile. “The Gumnut cake shop is there. Coffee and toast for breakfast, plus we can pick up a supply of nibbles.”

“When do you plan to nibble?”

“Morning tea, afternoon tea, supper. I don’t often get offered Gumnut cakes.” He gestured with his chin. “What have you got, apart from ginger tea?”

“Fruit, some cereal, two cold beers for on arrival.”

“You love me.” His face lit with his magic smile.

I just might.

It won’t hurt if I fall a little, so long as I don’t tell anyone.

She’d been bolder last night with her touches, an edge of desperation to her kisses knowing they had so little time together. She yearned for his touch. He’d called a halt.

And she needed him to be one hundred percent with her.

“It’s a thank you for organising this, and you’ll be tired after the drive.”

“No tireder than you. We’re sharing the driving. Hour about, and we’ll both stay fresh.” He hoisted the box and her overnight bag. “We share the driving in our family, don’t you?”

“Papá struggles between the old, the new and hard reality. He’d like to earn enough money so Mamá doesn’t have to work full-time.”So I don’t need to contribute. "He’d have liked a son.”

“Because boys snort, fart and scratch themselves while watching footy with their dads and girls don’t?”

“Not having grown up around many boys, you’re expanding my education. Is that what you and Hunter do when you’re alone?”

“Hunt’s a natural gentleman.”