The Aussie Next Door

by Stefanie London

  Olivia waved Soraya over. “Hi, Angie. Nice to meet you.”

  Soraya was married to Adam, and they were the most adorable couple ever—university sweethearts and business partners. They ran Bluff View Inn, a gorgeous little bed-and-breakfast on the edge of the town. She was stunning. Tall, with deep olive skin, dark eyes, and long black hair that was swept back into a full ponytail.

  “Thanks for including me. It really means a lot.” Angie wished she’d brought some food or a bottle of wine along, but she’d been under strict instructions not to bring anything.

  “Angie!” Mrs. Walters came over and bundled her up in a big hug.

  If dictionaries had pictures, Mrs. Walters would be smiling next to the definition of “mother.” She was warm, affectionate, and always fussed over people like she was a hen taking care of her chicks.

  “We’re so happy to see you, love.” Mrs. Walters pulled back and then ushered Angie over to the table. “Grab a drink from the Esky. We’ve got beer, soft drink, or sparkling water. There’s a bottle of white open on the table. And don’t forget the sunscreen—it’s blistering today, and we don’t want any sunburned noses!”

  “Jeez, Mum. She’s not a little kid.” Olivia rolled her eyes. “I think she knows how the sun works.”

  “Well, we have a great big hole in the ozone layer here. Everybody could do with the reminder.” Mrs. Walters shot her daughter a look. “Especially you, Miss Sun Bunny.”

  Angie caught Jace’s eye across the yard, and she held up her hand in greeting. His face went from serious to something much warmer and more open when he waved back. Seeing him change like that—knowing she’d caused the smile that seemed to be rare for him—made something shift in her chest.

  “You know, it’s been a million years since my brother brought a friend over,” Olivia said. “Now suddenly he’s going to twilight parties, too. I could barely believe it!”

  “He did. And he killed it at beach cricket.”

  “You’re a good influence,” Soraya said. “He really went into his shell after Julia.”

  Angie racked her brain, but the name didn’t sound familiar. Not that Jace had ever talked about his dating life other than the single piece of information he’d shared about dating someone for eight years. Was Julia the woman he’d been with for eight years?

  Curiosity niggled at her. It was his business, and she really shouldn’t pry…

  “Julia?” Angie asked, innocently.

  So much for not prying.

  Olivia and Soraya exchanged looks. Then Olivia reached for a beer nestled in ice and popped it open before handing it to Angie—as if the story might require a drink to wash it down. That wasn’t a good sign.

  Soraya clasped her hands together tightly. “Julia was Jace’s fiancée.”

  Fiancée? Holy moly, that was a surprise. “I had no idea he was engaged.”

  “Yeah, it, uh…it didn’t end well.” Olivia snorted and reached for a beer for herself. She offered one to Soraya, but she shook her head. “Understatement of the year. Julia wasn’t right for Jace. She didn’t appreciate him for how awesome he is because she was too busy trying to turn him into someone else. Like he’s not already great exactly the way he is.”

  “It was so sad,” Soraya continued quietly. “He really cared about her.”

  “We thought she cared about him, too, until it turned out that Julia was a complete heartless monster.” The anger radiating from Olivia was fresh, as if the breakup had only just happened. She took a swig of her drink. “I mean, who leaves their partner hanging at a wedding rehearsal dinner? Well, she’s gone now, and good riddance, too. If I never see her again it’ll be too soon.”

  Angie blinked. The story was so much worse than she’d imagined. “She just…left?”

  “Yep.” Olivia shook her head. She looked as though she wanted to say more, but the guys were headed over, so the conversation was quickly switched to the day’s festivities.

  Seeing the brothers all in one place, it was no wonder Chloe made a joke about the hotness genes running strong in this family. While they each had their own separate and unique look—there was no denying a family full of strong jaws, cut bodies, and tanned skin was something to be admired.

  “Our guest of honor has arrived.” Trent made the statement loudly. “I hope you’re prepared for battle.”

  “Battle?” Angie widened her eyes. What had she gotten herself into?

  Trent leaned in and gave her a hug. He smelled like wood smoke and the ocean, and it was a pleasing combination. But there wasn’t even the barest hint of a spark from the physical touch.

  When Angie caught Jace’s gaze, he immediately looked down at his phone.

  “Today’s festivities include: a traditional Walters family feast cooked by the fastest man on a grill this side of the country.” Trent pointed to his father. The older man laughed and raised his drink in salute. “Then a treacherous water gun fight. And yes, it’s a battle. To the death.”

  “To the death, huh? Sounds intimidating,” Angie said with a laugh.

  “Some members of this family can be a little…competitive.” Soraya looked up at her husband with a saccharine smile.

  “A little?” Adam brushed the hair back from her forehead and looked utterly smitten. “How dare you insult my family name like that.”

  Soraya wriggled out of his grip and went to help Mr. Walters bring the delicious-smelling meat and char-grilled veggies to the table. “I was trying to be polite. What I should have said was the competitive nature is hard-coded into your family DNA.”

  Adam nodded. “Better.”

  “Following the water gun fight, there will be dessert. Mum makes a cake every year, and we’re under threat of banishment if we peek before the big reveal. But there will also be fruit, pav, and nammoura, which is possibly the best thing I’ve ever eaten.” Trent nodded.

  “It’s a really sweet cake with syrup,” Soraya explained. “I use my mum’s recipe.”

  “Then most of us young folk generally head to a house party afterward while Dad snores on the couch,” Nick added.

  “I heard that.” Mr. Walters made a huffing sound. He was still in his apron and carrying a large platter of deliciously grilled veggie skewers. “I need my rest after doing all the bloody work around here.”

  “Don’t let Mum hear you say that,” Olivia said, herding everyone toward the table. “Or there won’t be cake for anyone.”

  Angie got a crash course in Walters family politics when it came to the seating order at the big outdoor table. The dogs were put inside with their own tasty treats so everyone could have a break from Truffle’s food scavenging. Angie ended up being seated between Jace and Trent, which felt like some kind of middle finger from the universe.

  There was no pausing when the family sat down. Immediately, plates were passed around and food doled out in generous quantities—the boys ate like horses, piling their plates high. The second Angie bit down into one of the lamb chops she knew why—the taste was rich and savory. The perfect amount of char-grilled sharpness mixed with the delicious, tender meat.

  “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven,” she said through a mouthful.

  Frank pressed a hand to his heart. “You’re welcome back anytime, dear.”

  She indulged in plenty of grilled prawns, some kibbeh that Soraya had made, Olivia’s favorite watermelon and feta salad, and sausages purchased from a local farm. It might have been the best meal she’d ever eaten.

  The conversation was loud, jokes flying back and forth. Angie didn’t understand them all, since it was clear this family had their own language. They were tight-knit, closer than any family she’d ever seen. God, what must it have been like growing up with so much love, it felt like her heart might burst from witnessing it?

  “You’re so lucky,” she said to Jace as she paused after inhaling her l
amb. “Your family is…perfect.”

  “I wouldn’t say perfect,” he replied with a dry laugh. “But I think I’ll keep them.”

  “Oh yeah, what’s not to love? Everybody’s joking and smiling; the food is good. The weather is perfect. You’re all ridiculously good-looking.”

  Jace raised an eyebrow. “Did you just call me good-looking?”

  Yeah, oops. “You all are. There’s some A-plus genetics here. Your parents should be proud.”

  “Ah. So it’s a scientific observation, then?” He reached forward and grabbed the water, which had pieces of pineapple and cucumber bobbing in it, and refilled her glass like a true gentleman. “Nothing personal?”

  Why on earth was he asking her that? Did he really want to know if she found him attractive? What purpose would that serve?

  “I guess all taste is personal.” She dropped her gaze back down to her plate, unsure what to say next.

  “I’m still trying to figure yours out.” Jace sliced into a big hunk of red onion that had been blackened around its edges.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Elijah, Theo…others.” He left his brother’s name off the list, but Angie caught his meaning. Jace was speaking low enough that only she would hear, but Angie had no idea why he’d decided now was the time to have this conversation. Beer confidence, maybe? “What do they have in common?”

  “They’re good people.” The words stuck in her throat, and she found her face feeling a little warmer than it had a moment ago. “They’re attractive.”

  “Not exactly a high bar.”

  Should she be insulted by that statement? It was delivered in Jace’s standard way—as an unemotional fact. Bare bones honesty. Before she could respond, Angie felt a gentle pressure at her right arm. Trent was leaning over. “What are you two talking about? If I have to listen to Olivia crapping on about how good city life is, I’m going to throw her on the barbecue next.”

  Jace muttered something under his breath and went back to his meal.

  “Someone’s in a mood today,” Trent said. “He’s probably pissed because I called dibs on you.”

  Angie’s eyebrows shot up, and she almost choked on her lettuce. “Excuse me?”

  “For the water gun fight. I want you on my team.” He grinned. Whereas Jace’s grin was always delightfully crooked, Trent had the kind of smile that was so bright, it should be accompanied by its own ping sound effect. “Nick and I are team captains, and we’ve already squabbled over everyone. Jace is on the losing side, I’m afraid.”

  “You know nothing about my water gun fight abilities. I might be a terrible shot.” Angie sipped her drink. “For all you know, you might be better off with Truffle.”

  “Oh, I didn’t even think of that.” Trent snapped his fingers at Nick across the table. “Dibs on the little dog!”

  “We’re not putting the dogs in the water gun fight.” Jace shook his head. “I’m responsible for those animals, and I’m going to take them home in one piece.”

  His devotion to the role of doggy dad was adorable.

  But Trent winked at Angie. “He never said he was going to take them home dry…”

  “You’re bad.” She shot him a look, but Trent was unabashed in his mischief-making.

  “Bad is fun, don’t you think?” A lock of golden hair flopped over his forehead, and Angie now understood the full extent of Jace’s comments the night of the twilight party. Trent knew exactly how good-looking he was, and he’d honed his flirting skills to a professional degree. “Mum and Dad used up all their serious parenting with Adam, Nick and Jace, and by the time they had me, they’d given up.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “True story. Once, they went out to a restaurant when I was a baby, and they were so preoccupied with the other kids that they left me in my carrier under the table and got all the way to the car before they remembered I was still inside.”

  Angie clamped a hand over her mouth. “Oh no.”

  “Don’t you tell her horrible stories about us,” Mrs. Walters said from across the table, her cheeks pink. She had a glass of wine in one hand and pressed her other hand to her face in embarrassment. “That was one time, and I’ve never gotten over the guilt.”

  “Oh yeah, what about the time at the Royal Melbourne Show? You came back from the Bertie Beetle stand with three show bags instead of four.”

  His mother shot him a look across the table and then turned to Angie. “We are not horrible parents, despite what he says.”

  “You’re certainly not. I would have killed to have a family like this growing up.”

  The words slipped out before she could think too much about them, and she wanted to slap herself for being so stupid. Crap. The whole table was looking at her now, like they expected some kind of explanation.

  “I…” She shook her head, her brain refusing to get into gear and give her a solution.

  “I’m sure being an only child would have its perks.” Jace saved the day.

  “Yes, that’s right. No siblings for me, sadly. No big family occasions.” She wanted to sigh in relief, but instead she mouthed a subtle “thank-you” once the conversation had resumed.

  She really needed to be more careful. One Google search would illuminate everything she’d been trying to hide. She’d go back to being a freak show. A conversation piece. A morsel of gossip.

  And there was no way she could let herself be that ever again.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jace had hoped Trent’s competitive nature and ability to dominate the conversation would be a turnoff for Angie. But instead, she’d giggled at his stories all through lunch, and they now appeared to be discussing strategies for the water gun fight, heads bowed and arms touching.

  “Hey. Eyes over here.” Nick waved a water pistol in front of him. “Time to get your head in the game, Red Team.”

  Their team consisted of Nick, Jace, Olivia, and their dad. Soraya was sitting the fight out so the teams could be even and also because she was a much better referee than she was at any competitive sport. The water guns—which ranged in size from smaller pistols to larger models—were filled with water and natural food coloring.

  Everyone had changed into the white T-shirts Melanie had picked up, so any shots they received would be captured. The food dye would color the T-shirt, and at the end of a frantic ten-minute fight, Soraya would judge which team had taken the most shots.

  “Mum went all out this year,” Olivia said with a laugh. “I love how she gets so into it.”

  “Try being married to her,” Frank grumbled, his mustache bobbing up and down. “She’s a sore loser.”

  “We want you to be sleeping on the couch tonight.” Nick slapped his hand down on his father’s back. “Winning is our goal.”

  Jace’s eyes drifted back over to the blue team for a minute, where Trent was helping Angie aim her gun. His hands were on hers, and they were both laughing. If he were any more in her space, he’d be dry humping her in front of everyone.

  “Jace! Man, can you pay attention for, like, five minutes?” Nick had on his I must be number one face. The whole family might be competitive, but Nick made the rest of them look like amateurs. “Okay, so we need to be strategic about this. How are the others likely to play it?”

  “Trent will go in all guns blazing…pun most definitely intended.” Olivia grinned. “But that will leave him open. I reckon Mum will be sneakier and so will Adam. Not sure about Angie; she’s the dark horse in this race.”

  “What does our resident Angie expert say?” Nick turned to Jace.

  “Since when am I the Angie expert?”

  “You know her better than anyone here. How do you think she’ll play it?”

  Jace thought for a minute. “She’s chaos. She loves the fun of things, so I think she’ll run in and get right into the middle. No worry for
her own safety.”

  That was how she was with a lot of things—jumping in with two feet. Not thinking about the consequences. Hell, if she was chasing after Trent, then that’s exactly what she was doing.

  “Right. So we’ll want to position two people with some cover. You can try to get a few shots in from behind the trees back there.” Nick gestured with his pistol to farther down the massive yard. “Jace and Olivia, you guys can do that. Dad and I will stay up here. There’s less cover, but we’ll be able to soak them when they come up from behind the shed.”

  “Got it.” Olivia nodded.

  Everyone broke away into their positions as Soraya got out of her seat and blew the “official” ref’s whistle. “Two minutes, and then the timer starts.”

  From Jace’s vantage point behind the Grevilleas, he watched Angie and Trent sneaking behind the shed. He was starting to wonder why he’d invited her here today.

  Because you wanted to see her.

  It was true. In fact, there hadn’t been a day go past in the last week where he hadn’t thought about Angie. He’d spent time thinking about when he was going to see her next, whether he could make up an excuse to drop by.

  But then he’d opened his big fat mouth and agreed to help her. And why? Because he was too scared to go after what he wanted? Too worried she’d eventually reject him?

  You know she will.

  Of course he knew it. She wanted all the things he didn’t…or rather, she needed what he was trying to avoid: commitment. Marriage. Their goals didn’t align.

  Because even if she knew all his idiosyncrasies and thought they were adorable now…he knew from experience that eventually she would find him frustrating and too rigid. And she would leave. He wasn’t sure he had it in him to deal with that a second time. Change was tough for him. And losing someone after being with her for so long was one way to take his need for stability and rip it to shreds.

  “I saw Angie and Trent go back there, and Mum is skulking around by the barbecue.” Olivia had her back pressed to the tree and her water gun up by her chest like she was some kind of Jason Bourne. “Did you see Adam?”