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The weather forecasts for some mild rain, so I decide to wear my white sandshoes and tie my hair back into a ponytail. The Australian humidity is next level and is not a friend to my curls.
Sebastian and Lana are visiting Sebastian’s family out in the suburbs, so I decide to take in more sightseeing. Now I know my father is Australian, I want to learn and see more of this beautiful country.
With my map in hand, I make my way to the concierge.
“Hi, I was just wondering the best way to get to Taronga Zoo.”
“Sure.” Byron, as his name tag says, draws on my map. He’s rather good-looking—very Chris Hemsworth with his sandy blond hair and deep voice. “The quickest way would be to walk down to Circular Quay, then catch a ferry over, unless, of course, you fancy a bus ride.”
“A ferry will be nice.”
Byron suggests some attractions at the zoo which are a must-see. I take it all in, noting his warning to start at the top of the zoo and make my way down because the hill is a killer walk.
“So, meeting someone there?”
“No.” I smile politely. “Just me.”
“How long are you here for?”
“We leave on Monday.”
“We?”
“My friends and I. I just want to get in as much as possible while they attend to other commitments.”
Byron’s a wealth of knowledge. We talked for a while about places to see in Sydney. He told me some anecdotes, all of which I welcome with a laugh. Somewhere during his story about handling a snake when he was a kid, Sebastian is standing beside me in the lobby.
“Hey, Gabbo.” He pulls up beside me, bumping my shoulder on purpose.
Where this new nickname has come from is beyond me.
“Listen, I want to talk to you…”
The second he says it, Oliver walks through the main door. My breathing becomes hitched as our eyes meet carelessly.
Why does he have to be so unbelievably sexy?
I hate that he still has a firm hold over me like a spell unable to be reversed, no matter how hard I try. He’s dressed casually, yet even in his chino shorts and plain white tee, the man manages to make me weak in the knees. Oliver has always been fit, but his body looks even more defined than I remember it being.
I notice the black Mercedes parked by the concierge and bow my head, keen to avoid an argument with Oliver in public.
“I was just heading out.” I clear my throat. “Byron was giving me the directions to Taronga Zoo, so off to hug it out with some koalas.”
“Byron…” Sebastian says, confused until it registers. “Oh, this bloke.”
“Listen, I should go.”
Accidentally, my glance shifts toward Oliver again. Beneath his baseball cap, his eyes drill into me, but his words are nonexistent.
If he wants to play the game of being an asshole, I won’t entertain his childish behavior. I’ve gotten sleep, finally easing the tension of meeting my father, and with a small amount of confidence finding its way back to me, I’m nothing like I was the night I crashed his apartment. Sad and pathetic would be a great way to describe my behavior.
I’d tried to apologize, and true to his arrogant persona, he made me feel ten inches tall with his disregard for my presence.
With the map nestled in my purse, I say goodbye to Sebastian, thank Byron for his help, then walk past Oliver with my shoulders straight, ignoring his stiffened posture as we pass each other.
The second the automatic doors close behind me, I let out the deep breath I’d been holding in and scurry toward the ferry before it leaves.
The ferry ride over to the zoo is nothing short of breathtaking. We passed the Sydney Harbour Bridge on the left, sailed past the Opera House on the right, then battled the choppy sea straight to the zoo.
