Again (Time for Love Book 3)

by Miranda P. Charles

  He hadn’t been able to get enough of her that night. He’d run out of condoms and had to buy fresh supplies the next day. He’d even asked her out to dinner.

  He’d been truly excited about being on a real date with her. There was something about Amanda that had pulled him—and he hadn’t wanted their time to end after one truly incredible night.

  He shook his head vigorously. No need to rehash the events of the next night. Amanda didn’t want to talk about it again. Fine, fine, fine.

  “Connor!”

  He waved back to Greg—the third Carmichael brother—who was with six other people, including Ashton Payne, Amanda’s sibling. They were crowded around a grape vine and seemed enthralled by a demonstration being made by one of the vineyard staff.

  “Hi, guys,” Connor said as he joined them. “Getting some lessons on grape-growing, are you?”

  “Yep,” Greg answered. “These guys are thirsty for information.”

  “Sorry to interrupt, but I just want to let you all know that my mum’s organising dinner at six this evening. If you guys are not in a hurry to go back to Sydney, you’re all invited.”

  “Cool,” Greg said. “Connor’s mum is an excellent cook. We should all go,” he added to the others.

  Everyone voiced their enthusiasm at the plan.

  “I have to check with Amanda first, though,” Ash said. “But I’m pretty sure she won’t mind staying for dinner.”

  “She’s already knows,” Connor said. “She’s happy to stay.”

  “Oh good,” Ash responded. “Hey, maybe I can check out your new car while we’re there, Connor.”

  “Absolutely,” he answered with a grin.

  He and Ash had bonded last night over wine and car talk. Unbelievably, both of them had bought the same car recently—a top-of-the-line, four-seater Mercedes Benz convertible. It was a pity the same bonding hadn’t happened with Ash’s sister—

  He pulled himself out of that thought before he could finish it. He was seriously starting to get the shits with himself. What the hell was wrong with him?

  He confirmed everyone’s attendance, then headed back to the hotel, followed by Greg.

  “Does Ash know about your thing with Amanda last month?” Greg asked.

  “I don’t think so,” he answered. “I’m sure Ash wouldn’t be as friendly towards me if he knew.”

  “So you and Amanda will just continue to ignore each other?”

  “Well, we’ve agreed not to talk about last month again. We virtually shook hands on being friendly—at least outwardly when we’re around other people.”

  “And you’re okay with that?” Greg asked.

  “It’s no skin off my teeth. I don’t care.”

  “Really?” Greg asked, sounding unconvinced.

  “Yes.” He tried to sound certain, and he thought he’d succeeded.

  “You know what?” Greg said after a long pause.

  “What?”

  “Amanda doesn’t strike me as the kind of girl you told me about. Those girls who crashed your party, you said they were Amanda’s cousin and her cousin’s friends, right?”

  “Yup.”

  “Well, you’ve met Amanda’s real best friends. Are they anything like those wild girls?”

  Connor sighed. “No. Not at all.”

  “So maybe the Amanda you met in Melbourne isn’t the real Amanda?” Greg said.

  Connor frowned. He’d be the first to acknowledge that appearances could be deceiving. He’d been on the receiving end of it for years—like when people, including some of his friends, assumed he was a certified playboy.

  Surely he hadn’t misread the situation with Amanda and Lucas. Or had he?

  Well, there was no way he’d talk to Lucas about it. He couldn’t trust the man to keep it under wraps or to not make a big deal of it.

  So only Amanda could clear things up. But she didn’t want to talk about it. Could he make her?

  CHAPTER THREE

  Amanda was about to turn the corridor towards the billiards room when Sarah’s giggling from the other end of the foyer caught her attention. Her brows rose when she saw Sarah being carried by Jeff, her face buried in his neck.

  “Oh. Hi, Amanda,” Sarah said with a goofy grin, not making any effort to climb down from Jeff’s arms.

  “Hello, guys,” she said, hiding her smile. The two were crazily in love, and it made her envious—in a good way. She was truly happy for Sarah.

  “Hi, Amanda,” Jeff said with a wink as he continued walking to their destination. “Sarah and I have something to do in private. We’ll catch up with you guys later.”

  Sarah craned her neck to look at Amanda. “I have something important to tell you girls later!”

  “Wait!” Amanda called. “Connor’s parents are inviting everyone for dinner at their place tonight at six. We’re doing a head count. Can you guys come?”

  Sarah looked at Jeff, and they nodded at each other in wordless communication before exchanging a brief kiss. “Yes, count us in.” Then the couple disappeared down the corridor.

  “Haah,” Amanda said, almost swooning and a tad jealous of the sweetness between the two.

  “What’s that big sigh for, Amanda?”

  She swivelled and saw Magda Carmichael smiling at her. Oh, she’d grown to love this generous and kind lady.

  “Hi, Magda. That sigh was because your grandson’s so sweet. I can only hope to find myself a man just like him,” she responded in a teasing voice.

  “Well, you do know I have one more grandson who’s still single. But I don’t think you’re interested in Gregory, are you?”

  “No. I’m afraid not, Magda,” she answered with an apologetic smile.

  “Do you think Gemma’s interested in him?” Magda asked conspiratorially.

  She chuckled. “Gemma hasn’t mentioned anything. Although she does think Greg is very good-looking. But we all think that.”

  Magda sighed. “I hope that grandson of mine will think of finding himself a serious girlfriend soon. Twenty-nine is too old to still be playing around, and I’m not getting any younger.”

  “I’m sure he doesn’t have a problem with women being interested in him.”

  “That’s the problem. There are too many women for him to choose from,” Magda said with a shake of her head. “Anyway, I take it you and your brother are going with us to Jean and Charlie’s for dinner?”

  “Yes. I haven’t spoken to Ash yet but I’m sure he’d love to as well.”

  “Good,” Magda said. “It’s a pity some of the guests have already left for Sydney. Jean is an amazing cook. Anyway, I’ll have a bit of a lie down for about half an hour so I can replenish my energy for another party tonight.”

  “Okay. We’ll see you later,” Amanda said, and watched fondly as Magda walked towards her suite.

  “Oh, and Amanda,” Magda said in an afterthought fashion, “Connor’s a great choice. I’ve known him since he was knee-high. He’s a good guy. And he's the same age as Jeff—thirty. His parents think he should settle down, too,” Magda added with a grin.

  Amanda’s jaw slackened. How did Magda...?

  She shook her head. That lady seemed to know everything that went on around her. She might be the oldest person around at eighty years old, but she was still as sharp as anyone—maybe sharper.

  Or... did Connor say something to her? Or to his parents, who in turn might have told Magda something? What did they think of her, if they knew something?

  Gosh, she’d never been more paranoid, or out of sorts, in her life. And she was blaming it all on Connor. Damn him for having such an effect on her.

  *****

  Amanda found her other ‘sisters-by-choice’—Brenna Ward and Gemma Aldwyn—playing pool against each other. She’d been best friends with these two women, along with Rebecca and Sarah, since they were eight. Twenty years ago, they’d promised to be sisters until the day they died. They’d even wanted to seal that pact with their own blood—like they’d seen a
bunch of teenagers do on TV—by pricking themselves with a sewing needle. But they’d chickened out at the thought of dark red liquid oozing out of the tips of their fingers. Yes, they were hilarious back then.

  “Hey, girls,” she said. “Where are Bec and Zach?”

  “Don’t know. My guess? They’re in their suite,” Brenna said as Gemma ignored them, her focus fully on lining up her shot.

  “I just saw Sarah being carried by Jeff to their suite," Amanda said. "Those guys act like they’re on their honeymoons.”

  Gemma sank the black ball and raised her arms in victory. “Yes! Now you have to do it, Bren!”

  Brenna groaned.

  “Do what?” Amanda asked.

  “We made a bet that if I won, she must find a guy to ask out on a date within one month,” Gemma said. “With Bec and Sarah finding their New Year’s Resolution Guys so quickly, the three of us have to hurry up too. And we know that our dear Brenna here has been the most reticent about our group pact.”

  “Fine,” Brenna said with a sigh. “You know I’m a good sport. A bet is a bet and I lost. But just to be clear, the guy that I ask out this time wouldn’t have to be happily-ever-after material, right?”

  “Right,” Gemma said. “It’s just practice for you for when the right guy comes along.”

  Amanda chuckled in amusement. They could always count on Gemma to come up with crazy goals, like the group resolution they’d made last New Year’s Eve to make looking for love a priority this year—which included making the first move on guys who captured their interest.

  “But if the guy is someone you’re interested in, Bren,” Amanda said, “just make sure you date him first before ending up in bed with him. That way you’ll know what he’s really like and not waste your time. Don’t make the same mistake I did.”

  “Oh, Amanda,” Brenna said sympathetically. “Let it go. So you had a one-night stand instead of a sex-on-a-first date with Connor. Personally, I think you can’t keep on being mad at him. After the way you said your cousin and her friends behaved at his party, could you really blame him for thinking you were like them?”

  “No, I can’t,” Amanda conceded. But that didn’t erase the hurt and embarrassment.

  “I can see why you’re still ticked off big time, hon,” Gemma said. “From what you’ve told us, Connor was a real jerk that day. But you know what? If he’d done it to Lori...”

  Amanda chuckled mirthlessly. “If he’d done it to Lori, my dear cousin would be thanking Connor very sincerely.” She inhaled deeply. “I guess I’m more mad at myself. I shouldn’t have raised my expectations so high when he asked me out to dinner. Of course, I landed down to earth with a mighty big thud when...” She shook her heard, refusing to go there.

  “So you’ve been a foolish woman who mistakenly thought that a fantastic one-night stand could lead to something more. Let it go. Chalk it down to experience,” Gemma urged. “Besides, you did have a great time for the most part, didn’t you?” she added with a big wink.

  Amanda laughed. “Yes, I did,” she admitted reluctantly. A great chunk of that weekend had been unquestionably incredible. Spectacular, as Connor had described it the next day.

  She squirmed, feeling that needy sensation between her legs again. Argh! When would she stop getting horny from the memories?

  “Are you still set on not talking to him about it?” Gemma asked softly.

  “Yes. I think it’s better to just forget about the whole thing. Like you girls said, it’s understandable that he’d think I was like Lori. Seeing it from that perspective, it calms down my anger a lot.”

  “But are you happy for him to continue thinking you’re that kind of girl?” Brenna asked.

  “Well, it’s either I let him believe I sleep around for fun, or make him think I’m out to snare him as my New Year’s Resolution Guy. They’re both equally mortifying, but the latter would make me look desperate for him. Ugh! I don’t want him to think I’ve considered him as a possible happily-ever-after guy after all that has happened. I have my pride, thank you very much.”

  “But you’re still interested in him, aren’t you?” Brenna asked.

  “No! Not at all,” she said with more conviction that she felt. Point was, she should stop being attracted to Connor. He was most definitely not commitment material.

  “Okay, if you say so,” Brenna said, sighing. “Anyway, are we going to wait for the four lovebirds before we head back home?”

  “Oh, I almost forgot,” Amanda cried out. “We’re all invited to have dinner over at Jean and Charlie’s. I don’t mind going. I do like Connor’s parents, even if their son’s a big jerk.”

  “Dinner sounds good to me, if everyone else is staying for it,” Gemma said.

  “Yeah, I’d love to go,” Brenna said. “Is Ash okay with it, since he’s driving us home?”

  “I’ll go look for him now,” Amanda said, getting to her feet.

  *****

  Amanda smiled her thanks to the doorman, then faltered. Connor was heading back to the building together with Greg. She almost turned around to go back in, but she steeled herself.

  She wasn’t going to avoid him anymore. She was going to be civil, and yes, friendly. It had been her idea so she had to stand by it.

  “Hi,” Connor said in a friendly tone.

  “Hi, guys,” she responded.

  “See you later, Amanda,” Greg said, walking past her to go inside.

  “Okay.” Her heart hammered as she realised she’d be alone with Connor again. “See you, Connor. I have to look for Ash,” she said, although her feet didn’t move. They were planted on the ground as she stared at his smiling face.

  It had been a month since she’d seen that smile—the one that did funny things to her insides. Ever since they'd seen each other again, all he’d given her was a smirk. Until now.

  “I’ve already spoken with him,” Connor said. “He’s happy to stay for dinner if you are.”

  “Who?” She’d already forgotten their conversation.

  “Ash.”

  “Oh right,” she said, feeling stupid.

  Connor’s grin widened. And no, it still wasn’t a smirk, but a charming upward tug of the lips that affected the way she took in oxygen. She gave herself a mental nudge.

  “Um, the other guys—Brenna, Gemma, Sarah and Jeff—are looking forward to dinner at your folks’ too,” she said. “But I haven’t spoken to Zach and Bec. I don’t know where they are.”

  “I’ll give Zach a buzz,” Connor said, pulling his phone from his pocket.

  She nodded and watched him call Zach. Connor stared at her while he spoke, and Lord, she knew she was gaping right back—but it was difficult to look away.

  With a huge effort, she turned her gaze to... nothing in particular. What would Connor say if he knew she wanted to jump him right there and then? What kind of impression would that give?

  Her gaze whipped back to him when he chuckled, apparently exchanging a joke with Zach. Her lips curved. His laugh was another thing that made her tingly—

  Gah! What on earth was wrong with her? Just because she’d now chosen to view their previous encounter from a less judgmental light didn’t mean she should let herself succumb to his magnetic good looks again. Like she’d said—gah!!

  “Hey, guys!” Brenna and Gemma came bounding out of the building.

  Amanda let out a little sigh, relieved at the intrusion. She turned and plastered a big smile on her face. “Hi. What’s up?”

  Gemma raised an eyebrow, looking at her suspiciously. “Nothing. We thought we’d go for a walk and maybe join the guys at the vineyard.”

  “They’re having a grape-growing class,” Connor informed them, pushing his phone back in his pocket.

  “Oh, that’s interesting!” Brenna said. “Let’s go join them, girls. Oh wait. Looks like they’ve finished. They’re coming back now.”

  “Say,” Connor said. “Do you girls want to walk around our olive grove before dinner?”

&
nbsp; “You grow olives?” Brenna asked in awe. “I love olives!”

  “Great,” Connor said, chuckling. “So if you like, we can head over there early and I’ll show you around.”

  Amanda found her best friends looking at her with a questioning expression, expecting her to make the decision. She blushed for no good reason.

  “Sure,” she said simply. To say more would be to make an even greater fool of herself.

  “Excellent,” Connor said, his delight evident. “I’ll ask the others as well.”

  “Okay. Can’t wait,” Brenna said, clearly excited. “Do you grow anything else?”

  Connor faced a section of the vineyards. “See that long row of hedges amongst the grape vines?” he asked, pointing to a particular area.

  “Uh-huh,” all three women said in unison.

  “On the left of the hedges is our vineyard.”

  “Oh really?” Gemma asked. “I thought the Carmichaels owned the whole area.”

  “No. As you can see, ours is much smaller compared to theirs. We’re not big wine producers. Only local restaurants and some select places outside the Hunter Valley stock our bottles.”

  “Where’s your winery?”

  “We don’t have one. We contract the Carmichael winery to do almost everything from picking the grapes to bottling our wines. Our vineyard is too small to warrant a full-scale operation. Olive growing is the family’s main business.”

  “So what do you do with the olives?” Brenna asked. “Make olive oil and all that?”

  “Yep. Plus other olive products like brined and stuffed olives that you can buy in jars in the supermarkets.”

  “Wow. How involved are you in the growing side of things?”

  Connor smiled wistfully. “I love the land. I keep a close eye on what’s happening here, and I know every single step in the processes. But my main passion is cars. Fortunately, my brother and his wife are hands-on with the business so they help my parents run the whole show. I do get very much involved with the big picture stuff, but not the day-to-day operations.”