“I know,” she said meekly. That sounded like a no, then. Darn. “In that case, I’m sorry, but I’m going to be a little late. I was going to catch a ride with Jordan, so now I’m going to be catching a ferry instead.”
“A ferry?” Eric asked, as if he’d never used public transport in his life. Perhaps he hadn’t.
“There’s one that leaves for Rose Bay in ten minutes, so I’m just heading back to the terminal to catch it.”
“EJ, I’m happy to meet somewhere else if that’s easier.”
“To be honest, I was actually looking forward to going to the eastern suburbs. It’s not an area I’m super familiar with, especially not on the ferry.”
“Well, in that case let’s meet at the Rose Bay ferry terminal. There are some nice restaurants nearby we could go to.”
“For our coffee?” she reminded him.
“Exactly. But it needs to be quiet enough so we can hear each other talk. I’ll meet you at the ferry terminal, and we’ll take it from there.”
“Okay. See you soon.”
Her heart prickled with anticipation as she put her phone back in her handbag. This was an adventure. And sure, not such a grand adventure as her sister had experienced by going to England. But one couldn’t be expected to have those kinds of overseas opportunities very often. They were supposed to be the difference, not the norm. Besides, she knew that Sydney had numerous fascinating places she had yet to discover. And if it meant she had to do it in the name of her business, then so be it.
Okay, so it was back to the ferry for her.
She took another ferry, this time heading east past the Opera House, the Botanic Garden, and Garden Island where several Australian Navy ships were docked. Then the bays: Elizabeth Bay, Rushcutters Bay, Double Bay, where so many of Australia’s wealthiest people had homes that overlooked the harbour. Just past Point Piper was Rose Bay, named long ago for a British treasury secretary who had been the last man to see Lord Nelson alive. Rose Bay had a marina filled with expensive yachts and a beach that even today had people catching a tan and hitting the waves.
She braced, pushed her shoulders back, her palms slick with sweat. It was one thing to have made a game plan for her team to go in with gusto, but it felt completely different when all the other players had dropped out and it was only her alone with Eric. Still, she was a professional and so was he. They could have a business meeting without it becoming weird.Lord, please help me so it doesn’t become weird.
The ferry docked, and she exited in the first group of travellers. Now wasn’t the time to hold back, not when she was already late. She tapped her Opal card and then retrieved her phone and tapped out a message. “I’m here.”
“So am I,” he replied. She glanced up. And her heart beat faster.
Chapter 12
Maybe Eric had misunderstood the assignment, but he was dressed far more casually than she had expected, dressed as he was in chinos and a white business shirt that had a couple of buttons undone, with his shirtsleeves rolled up.
“Hi.” She winced. That didn’t sound very professional. She held out her hand. “Thank you for being flexible with the arrangements today.”
“Of course.” He shook her hand, his large grip enveloping hers. There was so much of him, so little of her. It felt strange, almost like he swamped her. Overwhelmed her.
She released his hand, conscious that people were looking at them. “So, did you want to meet somewhere nearby?”
“I wondered about the golf club. That’s not too far.”
The only golf club she knew around here was Royal Sydney Golf Club. People had to be a member to go there. Which he probably was. He probablydefinitelywas. But a golf club gave images of tradition and staidness and old school tie connections that didn’t seem much like her. It would likely further intimidate her, as if this man weren’t doing a good job of that already.
“Um …” Oh, she really had to stop saying that all the time. It made her sound so insecure. “If it’s all the same with you, I’d rather chat in a little more informal setting.”
“Sure,” he agreed easily. Then gestured to the nearby restaurant. “Would you like to try there?”
She blinked. Catalina was another of those five-star places she’d longed to try. But it screamed fancy occasion, not business meeting. “I thought this was just coffee.”
“They serve good coffee, if I recall correctly.”
She bit her lip, certain that whatever coffee they served was bound to be more expensive than what she’d imagined. And given that she was trying to make a good impression on him, it would be up to her to pick up the tab. That’s how proposals like this worked. Schmoozing was all about wining and dining, helping people see why they needed them. And while she hadn’t had to pay at the Darling Harbour bistro—thank goodness—she fully expected to do so today. Still, going there would be better than keeping him waiting even longer. And if she was only paying for Eric and herself, and not three or four others, then maybe Dream Match could afford it. Still, “Would they have room? It doesn’t seem like the kind of place that accepts walk-ins.”
He smiled. “I think you’ll find they make an exception for me.”
Oh, to be so self-assured. But then, that’s what money did. It opened doors—and secured tables—that ordinary mortals would never experience. “Fine.”
Five minutes later, after Eric was recognised by the restaurant manager, they were taken to a freshly prepared table near a window that overlooked where the seaplanes were berthed. On the hill, turrets and towers spoke of exclusive private schools for the rich who lived in the fancy multistorey houses with views of the harbour. She peeked around. Some of those houses probably belonged to the restaurant patrons here. She didn’t want toappear full of shiny-eyed wonder, but it felt a little surreal to be surrounded by such luxury.
