Their eyes meet across the yard. There's a spark, a thought, a wish ... a hope.
Nestled away in the Australian countryside, two teachers find each other, but how long before either of them act on their feelings? That's where the friends step in ...
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... while Jack unpacked their bags inside, Kylie was leaning against a beam on the veranda talking to her mother on the phone. Janelle had insisted that Kylie check in with her as soon as they landed, which only made Kylie shake her head in silent amusement.
Some things never change ...
Janelle quizzed Kylie about the flight and where they were staying; she asked if Jack was a wine aficionado and if that was why he had taken them to an expensive vineyard for a weekend. When Kylie cackled, Janelle was at a loss for words.
"No, Mum ... Jack's like a stubborn old man when it comes to drinking. He says he only drinks beer but the gronk – I had to pick him up once from the pub. His old housemates had him doing tequila shots. Not that he remembers ... so no, he's definitely not a wine buff. But ... like, that's not all that's here."
"Uh–huh ... and so what's the purpose of this trip, hmm?"
"There's no purpose, Ma. Honestly, we're just enjoying a long weekend away, that's all."
"Mm–hmm. Alright ... well as long as you're happy –"
"– yes, we're happy and by the way – MUM! Stop carrying on like something special is happening –"
"– I never said a word! But ... you know ... I'm happy that my little girl is happy and you know ... nobody ever takes someone to a vineyard for a weekend for no reason, is all I'm saying –"
"– MUM –"
"– your father certainly never took me to a vineyard ... mind you, he's not made of money ... plus he sort of capped our freedoms when he got me pregnant with your brother –"
"– didn't need to hear that, thank you!" Kylie shrieked, rolling her eyes when she heard Janelle laughing on the other end.
"Alright, alright ... such a prude, where did I go wrong with you? Alright! Well, say hello to Jack and I hope you have a wonderful time!"
Call ended and phone in hand, Kylie returned inside to find Jack relaxing in the bathtub, his arms resting along the smooth edges and grinning at her.
"Tell you what, Wombat ... ooh, this tub's pretty comfy ..." he glanced down at his submerged body and back at her, still grinning, "spacious too ..."
The way Jack looked at her just made Kylie melt from head to toe faster than her thundering heart.
Kylie couldn't take her eyes off him. She tossed her phone onto the bed with one hand, while her other toyed with the bottom button of her shirt.
What she wanted to do was being stalled by the floor to ceiling window right behind the tub. She knew it was a one–way glass. She knew nobody could see in. She knew this ... but still her mind saw a bare window. Jack saw her eyes flitter to the pane of glass behind him and returned his smouldering look to her.
