Page 44 of Jillaroo from Jacaranda

Her eyes needed a rest, given she was almost three-quarters of her way through the read. Keen for Leah’s company, Rose leapt to her feet. ‘Coming.’ She set the book down on the coffee table.

Opening the door, she was met with Leah’s broad smile. ‘Hey, loveliness, what are you up to?’

Rose pushed the screen door open. ‘I’m just reading my new book, how about you?’

‘To be honest?’ Leah rolled her eyes. ‘I’m bored shitless, so thought I’d come and annoy you for a little while. Do you mind?’

‘Not at all, come in.’ She moved back a little and Leah stepped in. ‘Would you like a hot or cold drink?’

‘I’d kill for a beer, but I can’t, being pregnant and all.’ Leah huffed then shrugged. ‘Have you got any juice?’

Rose tugged the fridge door open. ‘I sure do. How does cloudy apple juice sound?’

‘Perfect. I’ll have a glass of that, pretty please.’ Leah sank down on the couch and picked up the book. ‘You grabbed a self-help one, hey?’

Rose took two glasses from the overhead cupboard. ‘Yeah, funnily enough. It’s actually helping me to understand how I’m feeling and teaching me to not give up on finding love again.’

Leah’s expression filled with concern. ‘Don’t you dare give up on true love, Miss Jones.’ Her hair swished as she shook her head. ‘Believe it or not, not all men are arseholes.’ She grinned. ‘Take my brother, for example. He’s far from being an arsehole.’

Rose couldn’t help but admire Leah’s optimism and faith in the male species, considering the woman had been burned to a crisp. ‘I really like the way you always try to look at the good side of things.’

‘After years of learning the Hindu way to live a peaceful, happy life while I was in Bali, I’ve got spirituality to thank for that.’ Leah held up her hands and put them together as if she were about to meditate. ‘Being mindful of your thoughts, and reactions is the only way to stop yourself from stabbing liars who promise they’re going to treat you right in the face with a fork.’

Resigning herself to the fact that she had a very valid point, Rose cracked up laughing. ‘I used to meditate until Finley told me it was the work of the devil.’

Pulling a what-the? face, Leah shook her head. ‘Excuse the pun, but what in the bloody hell?’

‘I know, right?’ Rose huffed. ‘His parents are religious in all the wrong ways, using it to control people around them rather than for love and forgiveness, and although I believe in god, I don’t believe in half the BS they preach.’

‘Religion can be the root of all evil when it’s in the wrong hands.’

‘It sure can be.’ Rose nodded in agreement as she flopped down beside Leah on the couch.

‘Thank you, lovely,’ Leah said as she took her glass from Rose. ‘Before I forget to mention it, and sorry to back out kind of last-minute, but I won’t be able to come to dinner tonight.’

‘Oh, why’s that?’

‘I’ve got some important calls to make.’ The excuse sounded rehearsed to Rose.

Rose suddenly wondered if she’d done something wrong. ‘Okay. I can change dinner plans to tomorrow night, if that suits you better?’

‘No, don’t go and do that,’ Leah said quickly. ‘I’d feel terrible, making you change things on my account.’ She took a sip from her juice. ‘You and Ty can still hang out, and I’ll take a raincheck for another night.’ She flashed a massive smile, one big enough to shout that she wasn’t telling the whole truth.

‘Okay.’ Rose found the energy shift of the room odd but didn’t want to make a big deal of it. A thought smacked her metaphorically in the face. ‘Leah, I have something weird to ask you, and because I think you’re a straight shooter, I’m just going to come right out and say it.’

‘Okay, shoot.’

‘Are you trying to play Cupid with me and Ty?’

Leah looked like she’d just been caught red-handed. ‘Nooo …’ She drew the word out while slowly shaking her head.

‘Busted.’ Rose bit back a grin.

‘Okay, you got me.’ Leah tipped her head to the side. ‘I can feel the chemistry between you both, and I don’t want to be a third wheel on a night that you can get to know each other better.’

Now Rose felt busted. ‘What chemistry?’

‘Oh, come on, Rose. You two can’t keep your eyes off each other.’