Page 16 of Outback Secrets

‘Liam!’ As recognition dawned, she remembered talking to him while he poured her drinks. Until last night, they hadn’t exchanged more than a few words, but she’d enjoyed their chat much more than talking with her friends.

‘Morning, Henrietta.’

Too flustered to reprimand him for using her full name, she blurted, ‘What am I doing here? Did we sleep together?’

Her insides squeezed as she wondered if she’d have to go get the morning after pill from the local pharmacist who’d known her since she was a small child.

‘No. We did not,’ Liam said, instantly putting her at ease.

‘Thank God.’ She flopped back against the rather comfy pillows. ‘Because when I shag someone, I like to remember.’

‘And when I shag someone, I prefer them not to be comatose.’

Guilt swamped her and she didn’t want Liam to think she was accusing him of anything untoward. The fact her Blundies were still on her feet and her skinny jeans zipped seemed evidence enough that he was telling the truth, but then … what on earth was she doing here?

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—’

‘It’s fine,’ he said, a little gruffly. ‘Anyway, I thought you might like some coffee and toast.’

She smiled up at him. ‘Thanks. I’d kill for a coffee, but do you mind if I use your bathroom first?’

He nodded towards an open door off the bedroom. ‘You know where it is. I’ll give you a few moments … Feel free to grab a towel from the cupboard and have a shower if you like. As I mentioned last night, there’s a clean toothbrush under the sink too if you want it.’

Then the poor man slunk out of his bedroom like he was the one who had no right to be there. The dog hopped off the bed and followed after him.

Henri waited a couple of seconds and then fled into the bathroom and gasped at the sight of herself in the mirror. No wonder Liam had suggested a shower—with her hair standing up at all angles and her eyes puffy and bloodshot, she looked like someone ready to go Trick or Treating—but she didn’t have any fresh clothes to change into.

She did however accept the offer of the toothbrush, steal some of his deodorant and splash water against her face.

As she headed back through the bedroom to collect her things, she couldn’t resist pausing at the dresser and taking a squiz at the photo she’d seen earlier. A couple who looked to be in their early to mid thirties and two kids—a boy and a younger girl—smiled happily back at her. She picked it up to take a closer look.

Was the man or the boy Liam? Henri found it hard to tell, and what did it matter to her anyway?

Putting the photo back down, she grabbed her phone, shoved it into her bag, then took a deep breath and walked out.

‘Hi,’ she said sheepishly when she found him sitting at the kitchen counter, flicking through the Sunday Times as he sipped a cup of coffee.

‘Feel a bit better?’ he asked, looking up.

She nodded.

‘Want some toast? I can make some fresh?’

‘Um …’ Henri felt she ought to say no—he was probably just asking to be polite—but her stomach groaned so loudly even Liam must have heard it. ‘If it’s not too much trouble?’

‘Not at all. Take a seat.’

He stood and crossed the small kitchen to put two more pieces of bread into the toaster as Henri slipped onto a stool.

‘So, if we didn’t … you know … how did I end up in your bed, and where did you sleep?’

He frowned as he poured her a fresh coffee. ‘You really don’t remember anything about last night?’

Her face, neck and even her ears grew hot. ‘Not really. I didn’t do or say anything crazy or stupid, did I?’

‘Not that I know of. Unless you call falling asleep in a public drinking establishment crazy?’

‘Trust me, I’ve slept in worse places. My job has trained me to sleep anywhere.’