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L ucy took it and he pulled her up close to him. She took a deep breath, smelling a distinctive heady male aroma. It was an earthy smell, like the bush after rain, yet somehow it reminded her of power wrapped up with a hint of danger.

He looked down at her for a moment, and Lucy had this wild idea he thought about kissing her. She bit her lip.

He sighed and then walked out of the room, still holding her hand.

They traveled down the stairs and out into the garden.

Sebastian sat her at one of the tables. “What do you like to drink?”

“A latte, please.”

He walked down to the coffee shop as Lucy tried not to hug herself in delight.

Instead, she did a tiny shimmy. She knew she had a silly, maniacal grin on her face.

These two men had been dominating her dreams as well as most of her waking moments for the past week.

She’d long ago convinced herself she’d never see them again, and yet here they were—and seemingly delighted to see her.

Sebastian returned with two coffees. He handed her one and pulled out a chair, sitting opposite her. He put his black espresso in front of him and looked across the table at her. “Where to start?”

Lucy cocked her head and frowned, puzzled by his words.

“Do you know Jack and I have been talking about you?”

“You have?” She was taken a little aback.

“Yep. We were so disappointed when you went. We both wanted to see you again.”

Lucy was surprised they’d been talking about her, especially to each other. She really had convinced herself that neither had any interest in seeing her again.

“Oh.” It was all she could think to say.

“Truly, Lucy. Saturday was fabulous. Both of us really enjoyed meeting you. I have to be honest, we both want to learn more about you. Didn’t get much of a chance to talk on Saturday night and wanted to.”

“I’m not sure what to say.”

“Please say you’ll let us get to know you.”

Lucy could say no and walk away, but that was the last thing she wanted to do. She was a little confused at what was happening. This really is a bolt from the blue. But Lucy smiled warmly at Sebastian. “As long as I get to know you both.”

Sebastian reached out for her hand and then shook it. “Deal.”

Lucy sugared then sipped her latte, mainly to cover her confusion—and excitement.

“I gather you’re a temp and that was what you meant on Saturday when you said you were between jobs.”

“Yes. I’m starting a three-month block in another week.”

“So we were really lucky to get you.”

“I didn’t realize you were the owner on Saturday night.”

“I bought the place about fourteen years ago and began building it up. Then I met Jack just over ten years ago, and he came on board with me. We’ve been together ever since.”

Sebastian’s words seem to hold hidden meaning, but Lucy ignored them and asked him about the renovations.

“I always wanted to turn the place into something more than just a pub like it was originally. It was a bloody rough dive when I bought it, but gradually I got rid of the unsavory element—all the drunks, and the lowlifes—and focused on something more upmarket, hence the nightclub. There’s a lot of tourism here, and I wanted to capitalize on it.

“Then, of course, there’s a big trade with the locals as well.

There wasn’t anything like it here. Nowhere for the locals to let their hair down.

Anyway, then we bought the building next door.

” He gestured at the restaurant. “We always planned it would be separate but a real part of the whole complex. Didn’t want to build something to join them together, hence the covered walkway. I think it works.”

“So do I. I love this area in between the two buildings.” Lucy gestured at the cobblestone courtyard.

“Apparently the two-story building was a coach house station, and this area was where the horses and coaches were driven in. When we were doing the renovations, we found some old horseshoes. They’re hanging on the walls in the restaurant now, for good luck.

This area was a cobblestoned road that ran from Atom Street right through to Browns Road.

The street was closed in the early 1900s and sold off.

Over the years, people have built on it.

When we bought the coach house this was all that was left. ”

“So that’s why the doors look like big barn doors.”

“Yes. Those ones on the other side lead to our garage and storage.” He pointed behind him. “We can drive right through. There are doors on the other side where the alley is. There’s access into the restaurant, to upstairs, and out here.”

“So you have everything you need under one, oops, two roofs. Did you plant the trees too?”

“Actually, those eucalypts were here. We just added the garden around them.”

“It’s really lovely.”

“Thanks, I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved.”

“You should be.”

“Later, if you’re interested, I’ll show you upstairs.

You’ve seen the offices and staff room, but most of the upstairs area is ours—everything on the right-hand side.

Originally, it was many rooms for travelers to sleep overnight.

We converted it into one huge apartment.

Three bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, big living area, large office, and a storage room. It’s perfect for us.”

“So you both live there?” Lucy asked, confused.

Sebastian looked a little uncomfortable as he replied ‘yes’, leaving Lucy to wonder why.

“Handy for work. I gather you’re both involved in the running?”

Sebastian seemed relieved Lucy had asked a question and he eagerly replied.

“Well, it’s mainly me. I’m the overall manager and the owner.

I check the rosters, oversee the ordering, and stuff.

Jack is the PR man. He’s a whiz at publicity and getting our name out.

You met Roger. He’s the day manager. He works Monday to Friday from nine to five and helps me oversee the whole complex.

Then we have Walt, who’s the night manager. He’s on from Wednesday to Sunday.

“We shut the night club at two in the morning on Friday and Saturday nights, then midnight Sunday. Everything except the coffee shop is closed until Wednesday. Wednesday and Thursday we shut at midnight, and the restaurant is open from twelve to ten Wednesday to Sunday. The coffee shop opens at six every day except Sunday. It stays open until two in the afternoon, but we have a separate staff for that with Roger on hand in case of problems.”

Sitting outside felt pleasant and Lucy found herself relaxing in Sebastian’s company. She found him interesting as well as attractive, and she wondered what it would be like to date him. He was about to say something when Jack returned and put his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

“Hi, you two. More coffee?”

“Usual for me. Latte again, Lucy?”

Lucy hadn’t noticed how much time had gone by. She looked up at Jack and said, “Yes, thanks.”

He nodded and disappeared, returning about ten minutes later with three coffees. Sitting alongside Lucy, he looked at Sebastian opposite. “Tom said everything looked great.” He nodded at Lucy. “And to thank you, Lucy.”

“Your bookkeeper did most of it. I just finished it off.”

“When Roger told us someone was coming from an agency, I was relieved.” He grinned. “Guess he should have told us who it was instead of calling you ‘the temp’ whenever we spoke. But you have no idea what a panic we had when Roger sent Gordon home, especially as we were interstate.”

Sebastian cringed and then gave a laugh, his dark brown eyes twinkling. “Now I’m so glad Gordon was sick. We found you again.”

Jack raised his coffee cup and saluted Lucy with it. “I’ll second that!”

“So, Lucy, tell us all about you. Give us the abridged Lucy story.”

“Oh hell, the Lucy story, gee.” She sugared then took a sip of her coffee. “Office and certified bookkeep temp. Mother of a daughter thirty-three who has three children—a set of twins and a baby boy. Not much else to the story.”

“Oh, I’m sure there’s a lot more. So, married, single, in a relationship?”

“Divorced thirty-one years.”

“No significant other?” Jack asked idly.

She shook her head. “None.”

Sebastian frowned. “A beautiful woman like you? I would have thought some lucky man would have snapped you up years ago.”

Lucy was silent. Should she talk more about her life or just let it ride?

Sebastian reached out and covered her hand with his. “It’s okay, Lucy. You don’t know us, so it’s only natural not to want to spill out your life story. But believe it or not, we would love to know about you, love to discover the things you like. You look like an interesting person.”

Jack smiled. “You seem surprised, Lucy.”

“I am.”

“I don’t see why.” Sebastian squeezed her hand. “Who wouldn’t want to know a gorgeous woman like you?”

“You mean that, don’t you?” Lucy said, unable to hide her slightly incredulous tone.

Lucy never imagined that one man let alone two who were both older, attractive, and successful, would be interested in her.

She’d persuaded herself that Saturday night meant something for fun, nothing in it.

But now it seemed that these two had been honest and wanted to take things further if she were interested.

“Lucy, we did mean the things we said on Saturday night, and we mean them now. Sebastian is right. We really do want to get to know you and let you learn about us, if you’d like to.”

She sighed, looking at them both. It was okay for them to say this, but what about her? What happened if she got attached to one of them? How on earth would the other take it? She certainly didn’t want to come between their obvious deep friendship.

Sebastian removed his hand and, as he smiled, she noticed he had dimples.

“Let’s just take it one day at a time. Who knows what’s around the corner?”

“I can do that.”

“Perfect.” Sebastian looked at his watch. “It’s almost six. Let’s go inside and grab a table before the big dinner rush.”