Free The Happy Endings Book Club by Jane Tara Page B

“I apologized for crossing a line. I’m not sorry for kissing you.” He slammed the door shut and backed out of the driveway.
    *
    Jake pulled up right on six. He was evidently a stickler for punctuality, thought Michi. And she approved. She’d been raised by people who figured nothing started until they arrived, so punctuality was a foreign concept. Michi herself was one of those rare members of her generation who wore a watch.
    She allowed Jake to carry her bag to the car, although she did protest all the way, and then she pretended she didn’t see her parents, who were standing on their bedroom balcony waving them off. A few minutes later they were on the Pacific Highway heading north, away from the city.
    “There’s a map next to you I’ve marked the route on,” Jake said.
    Michi was impressed. He’d marked this one up for her benefit. His other maps weren’t marked.
    Michi read the map for a moment. “Oh … we’re heading south?”
    “The map’s upside down.”
    Michi turned the map around. “I knew that.” She studied it for a few minutes and then neatly folded it back up. “Excellent. I’ve never heard of the place we’re going, but I’ve got my bearings. Thank you.”
    “No problem.” They were at a red light so Jake quickly set up his iPod and the car filled with music.
    “Do we need to stop for supplies?”
    “I’ve got everything,” Jake said.
    “I’ll give you some money.”
    “No need.”
    Michi’s eyes flashed angrily. “I’m paying my own way.”
    “Okay, settle down. You can put some petrol in at some stage.”
    That appeased her. “Thank you.”
    They turned right at Wahroonga onto the freeway and merged with the traffic.
    “It’s less than an hour from here,” Jake said.
    “Why’d you pick me up so early then?”
    “We needed to get on here before the holiday traffic. By nine it’s nuts.” He concentrated while he overtook one of the mammoth trucks that ruled the Australian roads. “Besides, where we’re going, you’ll want a full day.”
    “Fair enough.” Michi relaxed back. “Have you always enjoyed camping?”
    “God, no. My parents took us on holidays to resorts in Spain. The closest I ever got to any animals were the other brats in the Kids’ Clubs.” Jake threw her a sideways glance. “I followed a girl to Australia. Phoebe’s family were big on camping.” He looked almost sad for a moment. “I got on well with her dad. He taught me how to appreciate it.”
    Michi felt a stab of jealousy, which was ridiculous, she knew. “What happened to the girl?”
    A shadow crossed Jake’s eyes. “Just didn’t work out, but I have this to thank her for.” He waved his arm around his 4WD. “I’ve been in Australia for three years. I love it.”
    “When are you planning to go home?”
    “When are you?”
    “Touché.”
    The further away from Sydney they got, the more relaxed they were. No surprise, but Jake was great company. He was funny, and fun, telling tall tales about his adventures, and making up weird road games.
    “Number plate sentences. I’ll go first. EDB.” He pointed at the number plate of the car in front of them. “Every dog burps.”
    “Nice one,” laughed Michi. “My turn. PMT …” She looked mortified.
    “That one speaks for itself.”
    And the two of them cracked up.
    The trip flew by and suddenly they were off the freeway and heading past the villages of the Central Coast toward Bouddi National Park. Part of the road was unsealed, and Michi finally appreciated the beast that Jake called a car. She was thrown around in a similar fashion to when she was on the Wild Mouse, but hopefully without the drop at the end. Eventually, he pulled off the road, parked the beast and they jumped out.
    Jake began unloading the car. “It’s a bit of a hike and we have to carry everything.”
    “Isn’t there a porter?”
    “It’s his day off.” He handed her a trolley. “That’s not just any trolley. It’s like the 4WD of trolleys.