by Emily Forbes
Of course he wouldn’t interfere at the hospital—he didn’t do family.
‘No, I don’t mind. I’d love some company.’
‘Good. I’ll come back to Adelaide later, once I know you’re OK, so that I’m back to accompany George when he’s discharged, as promised.’
‘I don’t know how to thank you,’ she said as she collapsed into the seat and felt the plane immediately begin to taxi.
Oliver handed her a bottle of water from the fridge. ‘You don’t need to thank me. I’m pleased I could do this for you.’
The leather seats were large and comfortable, the air-conditioning was just the right temperature and the bottled water refreshing. Oliver sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, holding her close. Kat closed her eyes and finally let herself relax. She was on the way. Oliver had got her this far; there was nothing more she could do right now.
* * *
Kat hesitated at the entrance to the hospital emergency department. She could see her aunt Rosa in the waiting area. She didn’t want to introduce her to Oliver. Not now. She didn’t want to explain who he was and why she was with him. She didn’t want distractions.
She turned to Oliver. ‘Thank you for all your help. That’s my aunt Rosa over there. I can manage from here.’
‘You’ll be OK?’
Oliver couldn’t hide the look of disappointment on his face. She felt terrible for brushing him off but she couldn’t deal with any introductions at the moment. He’d told her he didn’t do family. He couldn’t expect to meet any more of hers. Not now. Not today.
She nodded. She couldn’t worry if she’d upset him. She didn’t have room in her head to worry about his feelings.
* * *
Oliver’s breath was coming in short, sharp bursts, keeping time with his fists as he punched into the boxing pads Chris held in front of him. Thwack, thwack, grunt, breathe.
‘Take it easy, buddy, you’ve got to look after that strained rib muscle.’
Oliver could feel the muscle complain every time he landed a punch, but he welcomed the pain. It kept him focused on the exercise, it kept his mind off Kat. A solid session in the gym was the only way to exhaust him. It meant he could collapse into bed at the end of the day and hopefully get some sleep.
‘I reckon that will do for today,’ Chris said, allowing Oliver one more punch. ‘You can cool down on the bike.’
Oliver wasn’t ready to call it quits. Not on the session and not on Kat. He picked up his towel and wiped the sweat from his face and neck. He’d go for a run on the treadmill and then cool off.
He cranked the treadmill up, jogging at a pace to keep his heart rate elevated, but the exercise didn’t require his full concentration and his mind, inevitably, turned to Kat. He hadn’t seen her for three days. She was still in Port Augusta, with her father, who was recovering after heart surgery. She hadn’t told Oliver when she’d be back. He hadn’t asked.
They’d communicated via text message. He hadn’t known what was expected of him. She’d refused to be his fake fiancée but he wasn’t really sure why. He could only assume she didn’t want to be associated with him and any rumours. He could only assume she was disappointed in him and the situations he found himself in.
She said she believed him, but what if she didn’t? Her opinion was important to him. She was important to him but he didn’t know what to do about that. She had shut him out and he knew he couldn’t go after her. He had to move on. With a fake fiancée.
He’d offered to help get Kat to Port Augusta because he could and because he wanted to. He wanted to help her and he also wanted to prove to her that he was capable of thinking about someone other than himself. Something other than his career. But he knew his offer hadn’t been completely altruistic. He had hoped it might help her to see past some of his mistakes. Had hoped it might help her to change her mind about him.
But it hadn’t helped. She’d sent him away. She hadn’t wanted to introduce him to her aunt or her father. He understood it was a stressful time for her but he’d mistakenly, stupidly, thought that he could help ease that stress. That his presence would provide some comfort.
He’d told her he understood her decision not to be his fake fiancée, but it had stung.
She had rejected him.
And now he had to choose someone else to ‘propose’ to but it was a decision he’d been delaying. Not only because he didn’t want it to be someone else but also because it would mean the end of his time with Kat. Once he had a fiancée in the eyes of the world his time spent with Kat would be over. It would have to be.
Philippa had been hounding him to make a decision and he’d promised her an answer tomorrow, but he still couldn’t see past Kat. If he needed a fiancée, he still wanted it to be her. It didn’t matter how many times he told himself that he’d manage, that he could live without her, he couldn’t get her out of his head.
He missed her.
He decreased the speed on the treadmill, slowing it to a walk. He’d go back to his room, shower and have another look at those photos from Philippa. He’d choose someone else and try to forget about Kat. He obviously had stronger feelings for her than she did for him.
He’d made a mistake.
He’d focus on the movie. On his career. Just as he’d always done. Only he knew he’d lost some of the enjoyment that he usually got from work. It was no longer enough to keep him satisfied. He needed Kat.
* * *
Kat looked out of the window of the plane at the ochre earth and pale mullock heaps that dotted the landscape. She was relieved to be coming home and relieved that her father was recovering well following surgery to insert a stent into his blocked artery. She had a lot to be grateful for.
Normally she’d be pleased to see the familiar landscape but she had other things on her mind today. She was eager for the plane to land, eager to be home, but more eager to see Oliver. She’d missed his company over the past few days and she intended to head straight to the film set once she’d picked up her car. She needed an Oliver fix and she had something to tell him.
He’d texted her asking after her dad but hadn’t intruded. She hadn’t asked if he was keeping his distance deliberately or whether a text message was the level of communication he was happy with when it came to discussing her family. She’d been pleased to hear from him but appreciated that he hadn’t pushed her. She’d wanted to be able to concentrate on her father without distractions. But now she was keen to see him. Her father was being transferred by ambulance home to Coober Pedy and was going to make a full recovery; she didn’t need to feel guilty about spending time with Oliver.
* * *
She thanked God for Oliver and his calm, unflappable personality when she’d needed to get to her father’s side quickly. For someone who knew how to have a good time it was reassuring to see that it wasn’t all about red carpets, private jets and five-star luxury. She’d known he had a good work ethic, she’d seen plenty of evidence of that, but to see such a compassionate side was something special. And it had made her rethink what he’d asked of her.
He had been there for her when she needed him. It was her turn to do the same for him.
She was excited to see him. She’d missed how he made her feel—beautiful, special and fun. He’d shown her there was more to life than working and living here. She didn’t want to be disappointed by her life but she wondered how she would go back to normal once he’d left. There’d be no more five-star hotels, no more karaoke serenades, private jets or amazing sex. She suspected he would move on without a backward glance but she doubted she’d be able to do the same. She imagined things would never be quite the same for her again.
She drove out to the film set, the cluster of dusty trailers, marquees and huts in the desert a familiar sight to her now. She parked and headed straight to his trailer. If he wasn’t there she’d search elsewhere.
‘Kat! You’re back!’ He stepped towards her and she expected him to greet her with a kiss but he stopped in his tracks, stepped back and held the door open wider. ‘Come in.’
She stepped inside and saw Philippa sitting on the couch. Was that why he’d held himself back?
‘We’re just in the middle of something.’
‘Actually, I needed to see both of you.’ She’d wanted to see Oliver first but her news did involve them both. She might as well tell them together.
Philippa was shuffling through some papers on the coffee table, her movements drawing Kat’s eye. She could see pages of photos spread out on the table. Had he picked another fake fiancée? Of course he had.
‘Have you chosen someone else?’ she asked. She hadn’t imagined this scenario. Why hadn’t she? She should have known. She’d been stupid. He wouldn’t need her now.
‘Yes,’ said Philippa.
‘Why?’ asked Oliver.
Oliver hadn’t said yes. Maybe there was still a chance he needed her. ‘I came to tell you I would do it.’
‘Really?’ Oliver was staring at her.
‘If you still need me.’
‘Yes! Definitely.’ His smile stretched across his mouth, from one corner to the other, and Kat knew she’d made the right decision.
‘I do have one condition,’ she added. She waited for both Oliver and Philippa to nod, to show they were at least paying attention. ‘I want you to donate any money that you were happy to pay me to the Coober Pedy drive-in, to go towards the upgrading of the facilities. It can be a donation on behalf of Oliver to the town.’ She didn’t want any remuneration but she had decided this was one thing she could do, one way she could make sure something else positive came out of this. It would be a win for the town and she could sell it as being a grand gesture on Oliver’s part. Maybe it would get him some more positive publicity.
‘Done.’ Philippa didn’t hesitate and Kat wondered if she should have named a price.
‘And I want another donation to the flying doctor service too,’ she said, hoping she hadn’t overstepped the mark.
‘No problem,’ Philippa replied.
‘Are you sure you’re OK with this?’ Oliver asked her. There was the smallest of creases between his blue eyes. He looked worried. She didn’t think she’d seen him look worried before. He was normally so full of confidence, so carefree.
She wasn’t sure she could pull it off but she knew she wanted to try. She wanted to help. ‘Do you really think we can convince people to believe we’re in love?’
‘Oliver is an actor,’ said Philippa. ‘It’s his job to make people believe.’
‘But I’m not an actor—do you think I’ll be able to do this?’
‘I don’t; you were Oliver’s choice. If you think it’s too much for you to handle then I have plenty of other potential fiancées for him.’
Kat was not about to let Philippa get the better of her. She remembered Oliver’s words—he wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. Neither was she. It wouldn’t be hard to pretend to be in love with Oliver. Not too hard at all.
‘I want it to be you, Kat.’ Oliver reached for her and her body came alive at his touch. ‘We can do this.’ His blue gaze locked her in place. Their hips were touching. He ran his hands down her upper arms and Kat breathed in deeply as her insides trembled. ‘I don’t want to do this without you. Are we good?’
She nodded, incapable of speech while his eyes held her attention and his hands held her elbows.
He bent his head and Kat closed her eyes as his lips touched hers. Softly, lightly, a gentle caress.
‘Thank you,’ he said as he lifted his head, leaving Kat to wonder which kiss that was. It didn’t matter, it had been just what she’d wanted. Exactly what she needed.
‘I’ll take you to dinner tonight,’ he said, ‘just the two of us—we need some time to sort out how this is going to work—but now I have to get back on set. Can you meet me at the hotel at seven-thirty? I’ll book a table in Mona’s restaurant.’
She nodded. She could do this and she’d worry about the consequences later.
* * *
Kat dressed carefully, it wasn’t every day she got engaged. Even if it was all a charade having dinner at Mona’s was reason enough to dress up.
She stepped into the red trouser suit she’d bought in Adelaide. That Oliver had bought her. He’d seen it in a shop window on Jetty Road and had insisted she try it on. He’d said the colour red would always remind him of her. She’d protested that she had nowhere to wear it, it was far too smart for anywhere she went in Coober Pedy, and it was too expensive. Oliver had told her she looked beautiful and had bought it for her.
She zipped it up and looked in the mirror. She had to admit it fitted her well but if she hadn’t been meeting Oliver she doubted she would have had the confidence to wear head-to-toe red. It was such a bold statement. But Oliver gave her confidence. She recalled the admiration in his eyes when he’d first seen her in this outfit and she crossed her fingers that he’d like it just as much tonight.
* * *
He was waiting for her in the hotel lobby. He smiled and took her hands, holding them wide apart as he looked at her. His eyes were bright as he said, ‘You look sensational.’
He did too. He had also dressed up and wore pale cotton trousers, a pale blue dress shirt and a navy jacket. He had no tie and wore leather shoes, without socks. He looked as if he’d walked off the page of a fashion catalogue.
He stepped in close and let go of her hands. He put his fingers under her chin, tipping her face up to him and kissing her on the lips. Kat felt the now familiar flutters in her belly as the touch of his lips warmed her from the inside.
‘Are you hungry?’
She nodded. He took her hand and she walked beside him towards the restaurant. It was only past the bar, further into the hotel, further underground, but it took them several minutes as several hotel guests requested selfies with Oliver. He asked Kat if she minded, which she didn’t, before he posed happily with fans.
When they eventually made it into the restaurant he asked for the quietest table, away from curious ears but still within sight of other diners. He was acting as though he didn’t have a care in the world.
‘Aren’t you worried about the lawsuit?’ Kat asked after the waiter had taken their order.
Oliver shook his head. ‘I feel sick when I think about what happened to Natalie; she shouldn’t have died and I feel terrible that it happened in my house, but it wasn’t my fault and I have confidence in my legal team. I admit I’ve had my fair share of headlines over the years and this is right up there in the scale of monumental disasters, but I know I did nothing wrong. I believe justice will be done. I can’t imagine what it must be like for Natalie’s parents and I feel for them, I really do, but I’m not going to be made the scapegoat.
‘I am not going to let them ruin my reputation or my career. It’s one thing to have a reputation as a playboy, another one entirely to be implicated in an accidental death.’
‘I know I agreed to be your fake fiancée until you’re off the hook,’ she said as the waiter brought their meal and Oliver ordered more drinks, ‘but do you have any idea how long that might take?’ Kat didn’t know how successful she’d be in pulling off the role of a fake fiancée, or, more to the point, she was worried that the longer their plan lasted, the more difficulty she’d have separating fact from fiction.
‘I’m hoping not long. I want to get it settled and out of the papers. I’ve spoken to my lawyer. He’s got several statements and photographs of Natalie which seem to contradict her parents’ claim that she never touched drugs. I feel bad that he has investigators trawling throu
gh her private life but her parents instigated this and my lawyer thinks he will have enough evidence soon to get Natalie’s parents to drop the lawsuit. I can’t thank you enough for what you’re doing for me but it shouldn’t be for too long. Is that OK?’
She nodded.
‘Thank you. I owe you a favour. Two probably.’
‘I’ll let you pay for dinner.’ She smiled, relieved to hear him being so positive about the situation.
‘I was going to, and that only takes care of one favour.’
‘I’ll think of something else,’ she said, knowing exactly what she would ask for.
‘Good,’ Oliver said just as the waiter appeared with a bottle of champagne. ‘I want to propose a toast.’
‘What are we toasting?’ Kat asked as Oliver handed her the glass that had been poured.
‘To a successful partnership.’ He smiled and touched his glass to hers. ‘I think we could make a good team,’ he said as she sipped her champagne. ‘Which brings me to another question for you.’
Before she could ask what it was Oliver had stood up from the table and dropped to one knee.
‘What are you doing?’ Kat almost choked on her champagne.
‘Legitimising our agreement.’
Kat was aware of a lull in conversation as the other restaurant patrons all turned to watch them.
‘From the moment I first saw you I was captivated but you have shown me so much more than your beauty. Not only are you beautiful, sexy and smart but you are also kind, generous, caring and loving and I need you in my life. I can only hope that you need me too and that I have some of the qualities you value in a partner. Kat, will you do me the honour of accepting my proposal of marriage?’
Kat’s heart was racing and her hands were shaking but she still noticed that there was no declaration of love. There wasn’t anything that could be construed any differently on her part than what it was—a fake proposal.
