‘And now?’ The lines at the corners of his eyes crinkled. ‘Are you still crazy about me?’
‘I might be.’
Her coy smile made him laugh and he swooped in to pick her up and spin her around.
When he finally stopped and lowered her to her feet, the walking boot clunked him on the shin.
She raised her hand to cup his cheek. ‘I’m not ready to move in with you, but I’d love to trial a relationship, if you’re still keen?’
‘I’m keen,’ he murmured, pressing against her to show her exactly how much. ‘Like I said at your place, Fer, you’re the one for me. Not many people get do-overs in their lifetime, so we’re lucky.’
‘Extremely.’
She framed his face between her hands, savouring the prickle of his stubble against her palms as she drew his head lower and kissed him.
CHAPTER
50
Cruz had just put the finishing touches on the final dessert, a passion-fruit avocado tart, when he saw El walking towards the homestead kitchen. They hadn’t exchanged more than a polite greeting earlier because he’d been busy prepping dishes and taking them to the shed to leave on the buffet table. Turns out, he could’ve done with Bindi being a waitress tonight rather than a guest, but seeing her chat to Kyle, Thommo, Robbo and El, looking more relaxed than he’d seen in weeks, vindicated his decision to do everything himself.
Bindi had been a great help in getting Smashed set up, doing everything from decorating to sampling dishes and giving honest feedback. They’d grown closer and he hoped she considered him a friend now. She hadn’t lost the haunted look in her eyes, though, and while she occasionally shared a beer with him and Kyle at the end of a long day, she rarely talked about herself, preferring to ask questions or make small talk.
Cruz could see Kyle fell deeper for Bindi every day, and hoped his mate had patience. He was going to need it.
Taj and his mum were another surprise. They’d barely taken their eyes off each other during the meal and the way Ferne leaned into Taj, looking up at him from beneath her lashes, laughing and talking with an animated expression, made Cruz realise he’d never seen his mother happy. She’d never looked like that with Mac—ever—and he hoped she made the most of this new relationship.
As for El, he’d felt her eyes on him every time he’d entered and exited the shed, making him want to rush the meal service, get the guests’ feedback and shove them out the door so he could talk to her.
When he’d emailed El the invite, he’d expected her to refuse. Though they’d parted like adults, he’d wanted a clean break, and her lack of contact told him she obviously shared the sentiment. But somewhere between that mortifying viral video and sharing wine around the fire pit, he’d fallen for her a little, so who knew what might eventuate when he returned to Melbourne? That thought had prompted him to invite her and he’d love to find out why she’d accepted. If they had a chance at a relationship, he’d make it work. Snatched weekends in Melbourne until he returned permanently.
But the oddest thing had happened over the last few days since his mother had come home and he’d cooked for the soft launch.
He’d started to feel like he belonged here.
At first, he couldn’t fathom it. Kinstead Avocados held nothing but bad memories for him, and discovering his father’s double life had only compounded them. But starting the restaurant from scratch, watching it come alive, knowing he’d be solely responsible for it, had ignited a passion for the farm’s avocados and the region in general.
He never saw farm-fresh produce in Melbourne despite scouring the best markets at dawn. Sure, the farm-to-table movement had gained popularity, but the dishes he’d been able to create here … The freshness added a zest that made his tastebuds sing. As Ferne had told him, ‘You did good, kid,’ and he couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe running the farm and the restaurant could be a longterm prospect for him.
But if he made that decision, he had no future with El.
Asking a vibrant city girl to live on a farm in rural Victoria would be like asking Cruz to give up cooking—impossible. Sure, she could work remotely on digital campaigns, but for her to give up her life to be stuck here … He couldn’t ask that of her.
Besides, maybe opening the restaurant and spending time with his mum had made him nostalgic for the perfect farm life he’d never had, and that’s where this newfound attachment to Kinstead Avocados had come from. He might lose the urge soon enough, so he’d be better off concentrating on the here and now with El rather than foreseeing a future that may never eventuate.
As El entered the kitchen, he pasted a smile on his face, hoping she couldn’t see the eagerness in his eyes. He’d like nothing better than to sweep her into his arms and kiss her, but her tentative smile implied she must be just as nervous as him.
‘Hey. Need a hand?’ She closed the door behind her, moving towards him in what seemed like slow motion. She looked incredible in a pale pink dress that skimmed her knees, with a matching lip gloss that drew his attention to her lips, her hair tumbling around her shoulders in that casually mussed way he’d seen when she’d got out of his bed after that sensational night they’d spent together.
His heart pounded at the memory as he fervently hoped they’d have a repeat. She couldn’t drive back to Melbourne tonight and she’d probably booked a room at the motel, but with a little luck and a lot of convincing, he hoped she’d stay here.
‘I’m right for now, thanks, but just a few more garnishes and you can help me take these desserts to the shed.’
How he managed to sound normal while he struggled with the urge to kiss her, he’d never know.
‘Smashed is incredible, Cruz. The food is exquisite, considering I hate avocados. The way you’ve used them in subtle ways in every dish is really something. And the atmosphere of the restaurant is perfect.’ Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. ‘You’re going to have a hit on your hands, booked out for months in advance.’
‘Really?’ He didn’t have false modesty, but he’d never done something like this and couldn’t help the doubts.
