“No, it isn’t. I’ve got another few days before they need me back in the office. I was wondering, if you didn’t have any other plans, if you’d accompany me to the Butterfly Village.”
“Isn’t that one of the places on the list we were given by Date Night?” I ask, forcing myself not to frown. I don’t know why I held hope that he was asking me out. Of course it’s for work.
“It is, but there’s a Comic Con the day after that I thought you’d like. The itinerary that Date Night has in place isn’t something we need to do. But we do need it to finish this segment.”
It takes me a moment to realise he’s serious. I squeal, jumping across the bed and landing on top of him. He falls back, laughing.
“Are you for real?”
“I’m taking that as a yes, you do want to go.”
“Dude, I’ve not been to one since I was thirteen years old and my dad got us kicked out for taking the virtual game seriously.”
His smile is wide as he pushes my hair away from my face. “Well, I made some calls and got us two tickets.”
I can’t believe he’s done this. It’s the sweetest thing ever. I hadn’t even known he paid attention to me. Most of the time he looks like he wants to strangle me. But when I was rambling at work a few weeks ago about how unfair it was that I couldn’t get tickets, he was paying attention.
“Wait, isn’t that the day after Valentine’s Day?”
“Yes, is that okay?”
“You’re the one with issues, not me,” I tell him, shrugging. “And it’s not like I have anything better planned.”
“Thanks,” he mutters dryly.
I’m still grinning like a fool, excited about going. “I do need to type up the online piece the night before, so it does work out perfectly.”
“I sent Chrissy my notes about Mingles. She emailed Date Night to cancel that review and recommended Barbra’s instead.”
“That’s actually a pretty good idea. I’ve written up my thoughts on the dating site, but since Reid tripped the system, it’s not really an accurate review.”
“It’s mostly on the destinations anyway. Chrissy has handled the review on the site itself as she’s the one inputting all your information and using the app. We had hoped to visit more destinations before Valentine’s Day, but I guess with short notice, they can’t complain.”
“I think it helps that I’ve been to some of the places on the list, so I can give my honest opinion on them. I also conducted another list of places that I personally recommend and gave them to Leana, ready to post out on Valentine’s Day.”
“Their ad is up on our website, and we’ve had a lot of interaction from people asking for cheaper or closer alternatives. It got me thinking about people already in a relationship. I wanted to see how you felt about running a segment on how to keep the spark alive, maybe recommend places they can go for one on one time.”
I can’t help but gape in astonishment. “I’m flattered you would even run it by me, so don’t get pissed when I say this—respectfully, of course—but you really haven’t had a relationship if you think advising couples to go on holiday will spice up their love life. If they’re already having problems, it’s going to end them. Moving homes, weddings, christenings or a new-born all test the best of relationships. But holidays bring on a whole new level of stress. It’s been known to break couples who think time away will do them good. Their routine is out the window, so all they are left with is each other. It will drive one to commit murder.”
“Surely not,” he argues.
I shrug, running my hand over his chest. “Not everyone, but most couples. My mum nearly killed my dad when he left the passports at home. He had one job, and he failed. My mum was stressed, worrying that she hadn’t packed everything we needed.”
His nose scrunches up. “You can’t really use your dad as an example. Your mum is a saint.”
I sigh because he’s right. My mum wants to kill him on a daily basis. She just loves him more. “You’re right. Maybe you could recommend holidays to those new to a relationship and research ways to help improve those with issues in their relationship.”
“So, you’re okay with that?”
“Why are you asking? You haven’t cared enough to ask before. In fact, you’ve pretty much demanded everything from me,” I remind him, not liking the sinking feeling in my gut. “You said you didn’t want other people treating me differently, but here you are, doing just that.”
He runs a hand through his hair, grimacing. “I’m not going to lie, after putting a stop to your story, I felt bad.”
I inwardly flinch at the deceit, glancing away. “But…”
“But, despite what you may think, I’m not always a prick. That night I first met you was the anniversary of my mother’s death. My dad was refusing any further treatment and Leana had just spilled coffee down my shirt and fallen head first in my lap. Then I walked in and was immediately drawn to your arse. When I found out you were Hayden, Dad’s words about not dating staff hit me, and I got angry.”
I force myself not to snort at the memory of what Leana had done. His reaction makes more sense now that I’ve gotten to know him.
“Oh,” I mumble.
“Yes, oh.”
“In my defence, I didn’t know that.”
“I know, and it’s not really an excuse. And it certainly doesn’t mean I won’t be a dickhead in the future.”
“Noted,” I reply, chuckling. “I really want to kiss you right now, but I really do need to go see Beau.”
He smirks, wiggling his eyebrows. “Hurry back.”
I roll my eyes, pulling myself up. “You’re insatiable.”
*** *** ***
After rapping my knuckles on the door to Faith and Beau’s cabin, I take a step back, rubbing my hands together and blowing between them.
Faith answers the door, smiling when she spots me. “Hey, Hayden, have you come to watch a movie with us?”
When she pulls the door open a little wider, I notice Mum, my aunts, and half of my cousins. I don’t know of a way I can ask for Beau without raising suspicion.
Unless…
“Is Beau around?” I whisper, ducking my head.
She closes the door a little after stepping outside. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good, but Clayton isn’t. He doesn’t want me to, um, talk about it with any of my relatives. You know how men are. I would talk to Jaxon about it, but he’d piss me off in two seconds.”
“Oh no, what’s happened?”
I point to my crotch. “He’s, um, experiencing something down there and doesn’t feel comfortable asking Beau or Jaxon himself.”
“Ah, I understand.” She winces, her expression scrunching up in pity. “Beau is on the back deck with Dad.”
“Thank you. I’ll head round. Tell the others I was asking what time we were leaving and that I’ll see them in the morning.”
“Okay, I hope Clayton feels better soon.”
I nod, giving her a short wave as I make my way around the side of the cabin, to the back.