I looked down at his hand and knew what was expected of me. Slide my palm against his, feel the warmth of his skin as he escorted me inside.
“American girl,” I said, as if that explained my wariness, then got out of the car, avoiding his grip. “We don’t go anywhere without the ability to get ourselves home.”
That wasn’t true, but there was no way for Beau to know that, so he just shook his head as we walked into the pub. The place was busy tonight. People were at the bar, sitting in front of poker machines or playing pool, so it didn’t look like dancing was on the agenda.
“So, what can I get you?” he asked, but before I could answer, he rattled off some suggestions. “Do you like wine? You’re in the middle of wine country right here and we do brew a nice drop.”
“No, thank—” I started to say.
“Rum? Vodka? Scotch?” He pointed a finger at me. “An American girl, you’d have to like bourbon.” Without bothering to wait for a response, he turned towards the bar attendant. “Two bourbon and Cokes, please, Vance.”
Was this shit ever hot? I frowned, watching Beau try to order for me, then shook my head. Teenage me had certainly thought so, but adult me had other ideas.
“One bourbon and Coke,” I corrected, “and one Coke.” I stared Beau down. “I’m not much of a drinker.”
That wasn’t the case before, but now? The idea of lowering my inhibitions around a man just didn’t feel right.
“Really?” Something glittered in Beau’s eyes, but he blinked and then smiled. “Well, two Cokes then, Vance.” He plucked a couple of menus off the bar and passed me one. “Now,Mackenzie, Vance and his team do amazing meals. Any of these take your fancy?”
Glancing down at the menu was a relief somehow. Get back on the horse that bucked you off, that was Mom’s advice, but what she didn’t say was how freaking weird it felt to be having this kind of conversation with an almost stranger.
“Chicken parmigiana sounds good,” I said, handing the menu back. “We can split the bill, right, Vance?”
The older man stifled a grin and then nodded.
“Of course, love.”
“I’ll have the same,” Beau said with a tight smile.
“Two chicken parmas, coming right up,” the bartender said, then turned around to the kitchen window to shout out our orders.
“So, Mackenzie.” Beau turned to face me after placing the menus back in their holder and smiled. The way he took in my dress, my boots, it had my teeth clenching together. That little smirk didn’t help release the tension in my jaw. “What brings you to Australia?”
Chapter 11
Troy
“What’s for dinner?”
That came out more growl than anything, and yet nobody moved. My siblings, Scotty, they just stood there, staring.
Waiting.
“I’ll make omelettes then,” I suggested. “Or beans on toast.”
“Troy…”
When I glanced back, Charlie was standing there with a joey clutched tight to her chest, but it wasn’t the animal that caught my attention. That half smile was what stopped me in my tracks.
“Grab pizza from the place in town?” I asked.
“Go to the pub and make sure Mackenzie is alright,” Billy prompted.
With a shake of my head, I made clear my thoughts on that, but my siblings didn’t back down.
“Beau—” Bronson started to say.
“Asked Mackenzie out and she said yes.” God, saying those words was like swallowing a mouthful of hot ashes. They burned all the way down and then sat in my stomach, turning it toacid. “She’s an adult and therefore allowed to make her own decisions.”
