Free The Happy Endings Book Club by Jane Tara Page A

Screaming your arse off on a ride feels out of control to you. And I imagine it’s the same for you in bed.”
    There was an intake of breath. “You know, if I wanted a full psychological evaluation, I’d speak to my parents.”
    “But why would you do that when they’re the root of your problem, right?”
    “Are you always this rude?”
    “You seem to bring it out in me.”
    “I have no intention of sleeping with you,” Michi said.
    “Good, because I have no intention of sleeping either.”
    “I won’t fuck you.”
    “Michi, you said you wouldn’t kiss me either.”
    Michi turned and stared out the window. She yearned for London. She always felt trapped in Sydney and Jake was making it worse.
    “Don’t you like what you see here?” Jake asked quietly.
    “You mean in the view, or in you?” Michi gave him a resigned smile. “Why do people love particular places? Because they’re the best version of themselves there, right?”
    “I guess that’s one reason.”
    “You like Australia because you get to be all nature boy .”
    Jake looked like he was about to laugh. “That’s right, and in fact, I’ll be getting my own cartoon soon, The Adventures of Nature Boy .”
    “Make fun of me if you want, but I never had a chance to know or like myself in Sydney,” Michi said. “I was raised in a bubble that was very much about my parents. I look at that harbor and remember the yacht we’d spend every New Year’s Eve on. Josh, Greg and I would be dressed like dolls, but as the booze flowed, the adults would forget we were there. The things I saw were not appropriate for children.”
    “I see.”
    Michi eyed him with defiance. “No, you don’t. You look around this city and all you have are the memories you’ve made here. I look around and have nothing but reminders of a city that made me miserable, reminders of how self-absorbed my parents were.”
    “Were they that bad?” Jake asked quietly. “They’ve been so kind to me.”
    “Of course they have. As people they’re warm and welcoming. As parents, they failed to protect me.” Michi finished her drink. “Probably best you take me home.”
    *
    Jake pulled up outside Keith and Kayoko’s house. The drive had been silent. He put the old car into park and turned to her.
    “I’ve been invited to your parents’ New Year’s party on the boat. But I don’t have to come.”
    “I don’t have a problem if you’re there.” She did, but she’d never admit it.
    “I apologize if I stepped over a line with you today.”
    “This isn’t about you, Jake. It’s about me and this place.”
    “What if spending time with me could change that?”
    Michi raised an eyebrow.
    “I don’t mean it like that,” Jake said sheepishly. “The thing is I love this place. Not just Sydney but the whole bloody country. Let me share that with you.”
    “In a week? The whole of Australia?”
    “Not the whole country. Let me share a little bit. And maybe then you’ll go back home to London with some fond memories.”
    “I’m not interested in a fling.”
    “We won’t have one. Let’s hang out together, as friends. It’s less complicated anyway.”
    Michi thought about this for a moment. The idea was appealing. When he wasn’t flirting with her, she enjoyed Jake’s company. And hanging out with him would get her out of the house.
    “Okay, why not. Show me your Australia.”
    “Great, I’ll pick you up at six in the morning. Pack for an overnight road trip. Nothing fancy.”
    Michi baulked. “I thought you meant you’d take me … I don’t know, to the zoo or something.”
    “You want to see animals, I’ll show you animals. You’re not backing out now, are you?”
    Michi quite liked the idea of a couple of days away. Her parents were already doing her head in. “I’ll see you at six.” She swung herself out of the car. “By the way, Jake, when you apologized to me before, thank you for saying sorry you kissed me.”
    Jake reached over to the door.