The Kissing Season by Rachael Johns Page B

text him the message. That was just like her—sleeping with someone before she knew even the basics about them. She contemplated sneaking into Elliot’s and looking for his details on the purchase records, but she’d probably set off the alarm or something and bring even more unwanted attention to herself. And she was probably overreacting anyway. Just because he was coming over for Christmas, didn’t mean he’d mention the baby. If he were like most men, babies would be the last thing he’d choose as a topic for conversation.
    “Tongues will start to wag, little sis.”
    “Huh? What are you talking about?” Although she heard Troy beside her, she didn’t turn; her gaze was stuck on a sight at the back of the church. One of Nikki’s pretty red-haired cousins had stopped Matt in his stride and Sarah wasn’t trying to scare
her
off. She supposed she should feel flattered that his mother cared enough about her to warn her off, but all she felt was disappointment, a mammoth ball of it weighing down her heart. It wasn’t just the sex; she really, really liked him. That night at the park had been the best date of her life and it hadn’t even been planned. She’d never felt so easy with a man, especially not one her body craved, but her mind was intent on staying away from.
    “I’ll get Mum to sit you next to him tomorrow at lunch.”
    Hannah blinked, shaking her head free of depressing thoughts and tried to catch up with whatever Troy was going on about. Then it hit her. “No! Why?” The thought of sitting so close they could play footsie both terrified her and made her skin tingle in anticipation.
    “He’s young, good-looking, established—already that makes him ten times a better catch than the men you usually marry.”
    She stared daggers at Troy, only just stopping herself from thumping him. She would never resort to violence in church—not even toward one of her brothers, not even if they deserved it.
    He laughed. “Seriously, sis, he likes you. That much is glaringly obvious. My suggestion would be play it a little coy. Flirt just enough to keep him interested but don’t give him what he wants straightaway. I think that’s where you’ve been going wrong in the past.”
    She pushed to get past him and hissed, “We are so not having this conversation, Troy. If I wanted your advice on dating I would ask for it. Wait for hell to freeze over.”
    Leaving Troy to collect his young family, she found her parents and waited near them like a child desperate to go home. Matt and his family seemed to have disappeared, but so had Nikki’s cousin and that didn’t make her feel any better. She wanted her bed so she could slide between the sheets, pull the covers over her head, and forget about the world and its injustices.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    M ATT PARKED HIS mother’s Holden wagon—it had backseats unlike his rental car—in front of her new house by the beach and smiled at the giggles coming from behind him. His sisters had already opened their presents from him, but they seemed even more excited about this mystery drive than he was, and he couldn’t wait to get his mother out and rip off the blindfold they’d made her wear.
    “Okay. We’re here.” He tugged the keys out of the ignition and opened his door. “Stay where you are, Mum. Keep the blindfold on until we get her out, girls.”
    “Yes, Captain.” Cate rolled her eyes as she climbed out of the car and then widened them as she took in the view of the Mediterranean-style house in front of them. A sold sign was stuck prominently in the ground by the front lawn. Her gaze turned to confusion as she looked at him questioningly.
    Matt pressed his index finger against his mouth to tell her to keep quiet and then took his mum’s hand and eased her out of the car. The Two Cs had skipped ahead, which was probably for the best because with the hot wind swirling around them, Mum wouldn’t be able to hear them voicing predictions about why they were