Free The Goodbye Girl by Angela Verdenius Page B

sense of humour, had been more than happy to chat to her about everyday things.
    Time would tell if that was still friendliness or something deeper.
    Conspiracy!
    Paranoid much?
    Hell, yes .
    Hopping down off the stool, she went around the kitchen bench and opened the cutlery drawer.  “I’ll get the tools of the trade.”
    Pushing away from the table, Nick straightened.  “I’ll wipe the table down, seeing as I was perched on it.’
    “Good idea,” Alex said.  “Arse flavour is not my cup of tea.”
    “I didn’t know tea came in that flavour.” Nick wet the dishcloth in the sink and brushed past Bree on his return to the table.
    “Have you already forgotten the tea we drank most of this year?”
    “Oh yeah , definitely arse flavoured.”
    Harly rolled her eyes and Bree grinned as she gathered the forks and knives.  Picking up the clean tea towel, she crossed to the table where Nick was leaning over as he wiped it down.
    Talking of arses, the man had a nice one.  It filled out his jeans, just as his muscular thighs had the tough material hugging it.  Lucky jeans.  Not that she could talk.  Her way had always been to look and not touch.  Okay, maybe a grope here and there in a passionate embrace, but there she’d drawn the line.  She’d seen too much to want to go down that route.  Besides, she’d yet to meet the man who could make her willingly drop her panties.
    Straightening, Nick took the tea towel from her fingers with a murmured “Thanks” and wiped the table dry.
    Listening with half an ear to Harly and Alex talking as they dished up the meal together, Bree set the table with the knives and forks.
    “Nick, there’ re drinks in the ‘fridge if you don’t mind pouring them out,” Harly said.
    “No worries.  What’s everyone having?”
    “I’ll have another iced coffee.” Alex popped a slice of roast lamb into his mouth as he carved the leg.
    “Stop that.”  Harly smacked his hand lightly.  “I’ll have Diet Coke, thanks, Nick.”
    Nick’s gaze swung to Bree.
    “Diet Coke, please.”
    Nick poured the drinks, joining Alex in an iced coffee.  Setting the glasses on the table, he stepped back.
    “Take a seat.” Harly picked up two plates.  “We’ll bring the food.”
    Bree found herself sitting opposite Nick, who was taking a leisurely sip of his drink, his gaze tracking around the room before finally coming to a stop on Bree.  Not once did he shift his gaze while Harly and Alex put the plates on the table.
    Not one to show discomfort, Bree met his gaze full on.  “So, how long are you here for, Nick?”
    Picking up the knife and fork, he cut into the steaming meat.  “A few weeks.”
    “Only a few?”  She was surprised to feel a flash of disappointment.
    “Seven,” Alex said.  “Don’t let his poor grammar fool you.”
    Harly forked up some roast potatoes.  “Bree, I’m hearing things.”
    “Poor love,” Bree replied.  “Have you seen a doctor?”
    Nick grinned.
    Harly ignored her quip.  “I’m hearing talk that you believe in UFOs.”
    That was Harly, right to the point.  No mucking around, one of the reasons why Bree liked her.
    “I do.”  She slanted a glance at both Nick and Alex.  Hmmm, Alex looked surprised, but Nick was just eyeing her closely.
    Like he knew.
    Conspiracy!
    Geez, settle down.
    “Seriously?” Alex raised both eyebrows.
    “Yep.”  Calmly, she chewed on a piece of broccoli.
    “UFOs?”
    “Yep.”
    “So you believe in aliens?”
    “Yep.”  She got a real buzz out of seeing people stare at her in disbelief.  Kind of like the way Alex was doing right now.
    Nick just kept eating and watching.
    “Have you seen any UFOs for real?” Harly asked.
    “Will you throw me out the door without letting me finish this meal if I say yes?”
    Harly rested one wrist on the table, her knife poised over her plate.  “Where?  Here?”
    “Ah, now…”  Bree smiled slightly.  “There have been unidentified lights seen in a