Page 26 of Return of the Outback Billionaire

‘Now you,’ he murmured. ‘Spill.’

What was something about her only a friend would know? She barely had any friends beyond Gert. ‘I have a night light in my bedroom. It’s cunningly disguised as a power socket plug-in that shows where the door is, but it’s a night light. I can’t sleep without one.’

He didn’t make fun of her. She gave him points for that.

‘If I’m in a room I like to face the door,’ he offered.

‘What if there’s more than one door? Like here?’ The balcony eating area had several ways in and out.

‘Then it’s my back to the wall.’

Good thing they’d been able to accommodate him. ‘None of the vehicles we own have boots. It’s tray tops, twin cabs or Land Rovers. I’m very indulged.’

‘That’s all we have. They’re practical.’

Something in common at last! ‘Does this mean we’re best buds now?’

‘No.’

‘But worth a try, right?’ Was his sense of humour really that dry? Did he even have a sense of humour? Who would know?

He caught the eye of a hovering waiter and nodded for the bill before returning his attention to her. It settled on her like a weight she wanted to carry with her always. ‘Definitely worth a try.’ He waited a beat. ‘I was angry with you when I heard you were a shut-in for a lot of years. I wanted you to soar so that my sacrifice was worth something.’

She didn’t know what to say.

‘I understand trauma a lot better now. Taking your time. Finding your way. Figuring out how to fit in. That’s where I am right now. Inside.’

‘I know.’

‘That’s why it’s not a good idea for you to get too invested in me. I’ll only let you down.’

‘I know that’s what you think.’ She’d been there. She’d spent years in that place he was now. And she wept for him.

The bill came and they were out of there a couple of minutes later. The walk back to the hotel was downright romantic, given the artistry of the city lights and the lingering warmth of the day.

Silence helped.

The way they fell into step, shoulder to shoulder.

He didn’t talk. Not even when they reached the hotel and the lift doors opened and she stepped inside and he didn’t.

‘You’re staying out for a while?’ May as well make it easy for him.

‘Yes.’

He didn’t even try to come up with an excuse for not wanting to return to the rooms. This beautiful, broken man who refused to admit he was having a hard time fitting back into a world without bars. His dignity, pride, or even just his strongly developed sense of survival, wouldn’t allow him to show weakness at all. And Bridie, forewarned, projected sphinx-like serenity. ‘See you in the morning. I’m aiming for breakfast at eight in the suite. I’ll save you a seat.’

‘You do that.’

Not exactly a commitment to join her, was it? The lift doors began to close.

He stayed facing her even as he took a step back. ‘Sleep well, Bridie. Give Noonan my regards.’

And then there was nothing but her reflection in mirrored metal doors.

CHAPTER SIX

IT WAS AFTER one in the morning, and Judah was heavy eyed and dreaming of sleep as the Manly ferry docked at Circular Quay and someone on the intercom told him and the cuddling young couple at the back of the ferry, and the old woman sitting inside the well-lit interior, to please alight and have a good night and that the next service would leave at five thirty a.m.

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