Did Tarryn simply see her as another one-night stand? Almost certainly. But that didn’t negate Allie’s feelings for her. No one should tell her how to feel.
And she could be the one to ask Tarryn to dinner.
Tarryn came over and pulled off her gloves. “That’s the stage gone. Are we done here?”
“We are.”
“Then I’ll be off.” Tarryn hesitated. “Sophie, you’re returning to Sydney tomorrow?”
Tarryn’s stance had the look of a farewell speech. Allie jumped in before she could say more. “I am. I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner tonight. My treat.”
Tarryn’s smile crinkled her eyes. “Is this purely to thank me for my superb help, my over-the-top willingness, the extra hours I haven’t billed?”
“Partly,” Allie admitted. “But mainly, I was hoping we could have dinner and that you might like to stay over.” Heart pounding, she waited for Tarryn’s answer.
Tarryn came closer, enough that Allie could see the shine in her eyes. “I’d like that.”
“I’ll pick you up. Is six okay? How about we go somewhere in Byron Bay?”
“That sounds good. I’m already looking forward to it.” Tarryn closed the gap and rested a hand on Allie’s waist. “Especially the part after we come home.” She leaned in and kissed Allie, her lips soft and exploring.
Allie melted against her. What did it matter if someone saw them?
She broke the kiss. “Until later.”
Chapter 23
Allie had picked a restauranton the waterfront, the prices matching its glamorous position. Even on a Sunday, it was busy, with most tables already occupied when Allie and Tarryn arrived. The waiter seated them with a view of the bay, brought menus, and explained the specials.
Allie perused the selection, selecting the local seafood catch of the day even as she winced at the price.Making memories. If this was to be her last night with Tarryn, she wanted it to be as perfect as she could make it.
When the wine was poured, Allie lifted her glass. “To Quandong.”
“To Quandong,” Tarryn echoed and tapped her glass with Allie’s. After they had drunk, she asked, “Are you looking forward to getting back to Sydney?”
“Not particularly. I’ve really enjoyed being here, although I need to get back to real life. I need to find—” She shut her mouth with a snap. She’d been about to say she needed to find a new job. Her stomach suddenly dragged as if she’d swallowed a rock. She was in a wonderful restaurant in a glorious seaside town, about to have an expensive meal with a beautiful woman, one she’d come to care for. And it was all a fake. All lies. The mouthful of wine roiled in her stomach.
“Need to find what?” Tarryn cocked her head.
“My next big project.”
“I would have thought you’d already have that lined up?”
“Small ones, yes, but nothing the size of the wedding festival.”
“How do you find work?” Tarryn asked.
The stone grew to the size of a boulder. Working on the festival hadn’t made her feel this much of an impostor. She’d been doing it for Sophie, and her needs were the bigger, the ones that took priority. But this…this was lying to someone she cared for. But she couldn’t change now. And tomorrow she’d be gone, and she’d likely never see Tarryn again.
“Can we talk about something else?” She summoned a smile. “I’ll be back at work soon enough.”
“Sure.” Tarryn took a mouthful of wine. “Tell me about your life in Sydney. Where do you live?”
Oh God, this was worse.What had she said before?
“I have an apartment in Darlinghurst. It’s nothing special—everything there is so expensive, but it’s central, and near friends and my sister.”
“Allison? Or do you have another sister?”
