‘Why?’ The breath of a word was swept away by the Wellington breeze, but the question hung between them.
She cleared her throat. ‘Because it’s your birthday. I thought I’d wish you a happy birthday, join the celebrations.’ She glanced around. ‘But you don’t seem to be having any.’
He lifted his glass of sparkling water. ‘My celebrations are exclusive.’
‘So exclusive it’s just you?’
He inclined his head. ‘Happy birthday to me.’
‘Care to share it?’
‘So you can lecture me about ethics?’
She sighed. ‘No, I’ve already done that.’
‘Indeed.’ Seconds of silence passed. ‘Then why stay?’ he asked eventually.
‘Because I don’t like seeing you alone.’
The honesty in her eyes undid him.
He looked into his drink and took a swig. ’I don’t need your pity,’ he said quietly.
‘Good,’ she replied. ‘Because you’re not getting it.’ She shivered. ‘It’s freezing. How about we continue your birthday celebration somewhere more amenable. Somewhere where there’s good food, good company and the air temperature is a couple of degrees warmer than an iceberg?’
‘Where?’
‘I have somewhere in mind. You just have to trust me.’
He studied her. ‘That’s a big ask.’
‘Think of it as my birthday present. A magical mystery tour.’
He huffed a laugh. ‘I’m not eight.’
‘No. But I think you need it more than I did when my Dad used to take me on them.’ She huffed a laugh. ‘He’d place a blindfold over my eyes and then we’d have an adventure.’
He shook his head. ‘That’s sweet. But I refuse to be blindfolded.’
‘I’ll allow you to see where we’re going.’
‘Big of you.’
‘Yeah, I know.’
‘You should leave,’ he said eventually. ‘You’re cold.’
‘I’m not leaving without you.’
‘Lucy, what you don’t seem to appreciate is that we’re from two different worlds, you and I.’ He shook his head, wondering what he’d have to say to make her see clearly. ‘And those worlds aren’t connected.’
He could tell by the determined set of her mouth that he’d met his match. She wouldn’t be going anywhere. Then she relaxed those lips into something of a pout.
‘You’re really OK to sit there and watch me freeze?’ she asked, with a softer tone to her voice which he simply could not resist.
He exhaled. ‘No.’
‘Then what are you going to do?’
