Tarryn huffed a laugh, then sobered at Sophie’s expression. “Were you expecting more?”
“No. Well, I expected a kiss, at least, and maybe breakfast. After all, we’re not strangers, and we still have today to get through as colleagues. How about I grab some muffins from Kirra’s, and we have coffee? Have you time?”
“Of course. Ally and Elly aren’t that demanding.”
A quick nod. “Then I’ll go now. Feel free to grab a shower, if you want.” She leaned in and kissed Tarryn, a quick brush of her mouth. “I’d kiss you properly, but I haven’t brushed my teeth.”
She shed the robe, slipped into a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, and disappeared.
Tarryn blew out a breath and lay back. It was true she needed to get moving, and the alpacas would be a bit tetchy about their late breakfast, but there was no immediate reason to rush away. She got out of bed and went to investigate the shower. Once out, she cleaned her teeth with a finger and followed the sounds of the coffee maker to the kitchen.
As well as muffins, there were a couple of pieces of zucchini slice on the table. Sophie added a bottle of hot sauce, then returned with the two coffees. “Good timing.”
“Is Kirra busy?”
“Frantic. Every table is occupied with visitors, and there’s a line out the door. She let me queue jump.”
Tarryn went over and wrapped her arms around Sophie’s waist. “Now I get to say a proper good morning.” She nuzzled her neck, then moved up for the kiss.
Sophie sighed into her mouth. “Good morning to you too.” She broke the kiss. “It’s gone eight. I’m not rushing you, but we’ll need to eat if you want to get home to change. We’ve got a debrief meeting at nine before we start the clean-up.”
A hollow feeling settled in Tarryn’s stomach, and for a moment, she considered saying the alpacas could wait, breakfast could wait. Instead, she would take Sophie’s hand and lead her back to bed. But she still had to get proper clothes, so she nodded and sat, reaching for a muffin.
Ten minutes later, after a final kiss, she clattered down the stairs and out to the street.
“Oh, ho! No need to ask where you spent the night.” Kirra was lowering the blind outside the café, and she looked Tarryn’s wedding clothes up and down, then raised an eyebrow. “You took the fake wedding seriously after all, girlfriend, if it led to a fake wedding night.”
Tarryn huffed. “Okay, you’ve sprung me.”
Kirra threw up her hands. “No blame, no shame. Sophie’s lovely.” She moved closer. “Good night?”
Her smile grew until it felt like her face would split. “The best.”
“Good. Make the most of it. Tonight’s her last night in town, and I can’t extend the booking on the apartment. Although she could always stay at yours, if she can stand the rustic conditions.” She winked.
“I think she has to get back to Sydney.” Tarryn went to thrust her hands in her pockets, remembering at the last moment the smart pants had only tiny ones. “No worries. It was a great night, but I’m not looking to make our marriage a real one.”
“Shame,” Kirra said. “Sophie would be great in Quandong.”
“I’ll see you at nine for the debrief. I gotta change.”
“You do that.” Kirra winked. “Unless you want everyone to know where you spent the night.”
* * *
Allie sat at the table, staring at the space where Tarryn had been. Well, that was pretty much that. Her first night with a woman, but she already knew it wouldn’t be her last. In her mind, she pictured Sophie’s reaction. No doubt there would be an “I knew it!” and a huge grin.
She rose and headed for the shower. Before talking to Sophie, there was a debrief and a day of clean-up to get through. And one more night in Quandong.
As she soaped her body, the image of Tarryn’s hands running over her skin engulfed her.Tarryn. How could she have ever thought her prickly and difficult? Now, with hindsight, she came across as determined and true to her values. But she’d set those values aside for the sake of her town. If Tarryn lived in Sydney, would they date? An echo of last night’s lovemaking unfurled as heat in her belly. She hoped they would. She’d want to—but Tarryn was the self-described queen of the one-night stand. She probably wouldn’t go there, even if distance wasn’t an issue. Allie bit her lip. So, a fling, then. She was a big girl—she could handle it. And it wasn’t as if she’d never had one-night stands before. Previously, though, they had been with strangers, not someone she was friends with.
Not someone she could fall for.
Was falling for.
Had fallen for.
The water streamed over her head. She’d fallen for Tarryn. And that was a dead-end with no hope for a relationship.
