“I have to admit, it is pretty peaceful here. Definitely a stress-reliever. Even after only being here for one day, I’m feeling more relaxed than I have in months.”
He glanced back at the screen; he didn’t know what Pandora’s take on social media was. Whether she looked at comments on the posts she made. Or if she even posted regularly. She could be one of those influencers and, like most famous people did, she probably shared her opinions on everything. “Do you want to take a look at the comments?”
She sighed and tapped her fingers on the desk. “I guess so. I mean if I ever post anything I always glance at them but don’t pay too much attention to what is being said. I know there are a lot of people who feel powerful from behind their computer screen and keyboard.”
Certainly not the response he expected from her. As someone who was in the spotlight a lot, he thought she’d be one who would read through all the comments, looking for all the positive ones of course.
“Yeah, social media, the evil of the new generation. Although I’m sure for people who live far away from family members it’s a way to stay connected.”
“There is that aspect too. I mean if there is someone disparaging what I’m wearing in a photo or the way I look, I definitely don’t engage. They’re not worth it.”
Maybe his first impression of her needed to be adjusted. Or at least he needed to realign his thought processes. “So, is that a yes?”
“If I didn’t know better, Jonas, I’d suspect you were the one who wanted to look at what people are saying.”
“I can’t deny I’m interested in seeing what they’re saying.” He paused. He did want to see how she reacted to some of them. “I have some social media accounts and I post occasionally. The majority of what I say, or pictures I post, only get likes from family and the occasional former work colleague. I certainly wouldn’t have the engagement you’d have.”
“Be thankful for small mercies.” She cracked her knuckles and rolled her head as if she was preparing for a fight and not to check out a social media post. Then again, perhaps that’s how she perceived it, like she was going into a fight. For everything he thought about her, Jonas didn’t envy her, or her notoriety, at all. “Right, let’s do this.” Her fingers moved over the touchpad and with one click the screen filled with messages.
Jonas whistled, surprised at what he was seeing. “Wow, that’s a lot of comments.”
“Yep, people have a lot of opinions.”
Again the need to offer her some comforting words swept through him; instead of fighting it, he went with it. “Whatever they say, know that you’re better than them and they don’t know anything. Or how they’d react in certain situations unless they’ve walked in your shoes.”
“I know.” Pandora dropped her gaze too look at his lips, her tongue darting out to swipe her lower lip. He inwardly groaned at the unconscious action. She was temptation personified. He had to remember she was only staying for a short while. Not to mention Pandora was a city girl, who appeared to run when things got too difficult. His past experiences should always be a reminder that city girls didn’t like country life. Nor would girls who couldn’t face their problems like to live in a place where everything they did was noticed.
He would do well to remember that. But it was getting harder and harder to do.
*
What would he do if I kissed him?
The wild thought swirled around Pandora’s mind and it took an immense strength of willpower not to make the move to find out. Although Jonas’s nostrils flared when she’d moistened her bottom lip, so maybe he wouldn’t be averse to the idea of kissing her.
Stop it.
Her life was already in turmoil with regards to her career. She didn’t need the added complication of a relationship with someone who lived hours away from her. Not to mention that all the people she cared about eventually abandoned her, so why put herself in the line of fire.
Pity he was so damn tempting.
Dragging her attention away from the tantalising man next to her, she focused on the screen and skimmed the messages. The first few were messages of sympathy for losing a beloved pet. Guilt assailed her at those responses. “God, I’m such a fraud. I’ve got people commenting who have experienced real loss and that’s not the reason at all for me leaving the shoot. I thought Laura’s idea was insane, but at the time I agreed because it was easier than telling the truth and suffering the consequences.”
A warm arm landed on her shoulder and she leaned into Jonas’s embrace. He didn’t say anything and for that she was grateful. She continued to scroll. There were a few who called it fake and speculated the truth was she’d probably been high on drugs or drunk and was now in rehab, not at a country retreat dealing with her grief.
“Shit, I’ve heard the internet can be cruel, but geez, this is brutal.” He picked up her hand and laced his fingers with hers. Right this second she was surrounded by him and she didn’t mind at all.
“Yeah, that’s why I don’t usually look and I definitely don’t engage.”
“Good move.” With his free hand he closed the lid on the laptop. “I don’t think we need to look at this anymore. Do you have a publicist or assistant that handles your social media? Or someone at your agent’s office?”
“I’m sure Laura is monitoring it and working with my publicist, Mandy. They probably worked together on the statement. I should’ve phoned Mandy, after I phoned Laura, but didn’t because I knew they’d be handling it together.”
“Here in Bunya Junction, you are simply Pandora Sebastian. A tourist visiting our sleepy town, looking for a little relaxation.”
She let his words wash over her, liking the sound of being a tourist and not a famous model. Escaping her reality seemed like a good idea at the moment. “That I am.”
Jonas released his hold on her and stood. She immediately missed the warmth and connection that was building between them.
Geez, she shouldn’t get used to it, but it was getting harder and harder to resist.
“Well, Pandora Sebastian, I have a pub to get ready to open. Sundays are another one of my busy days.”
The last thing she wanted to do was go up to her room and sit on her bed staring at the walls. Normally being by herself didn’t bother her. Today, though, she craved a little connection with people. Plus, she had the next two weeks to do whatever she wanted to do. Experience things she’d never experienced before. Or hadn’t in a while. Or simply keep to herself so she didn’t get too attached to Jonas or the town.
This short holiday was also a good time to spend clearing her mind and thinking about what she wanted to do with the next steps in her life.
“Do you need any help?”
Jonas’s eyes widened in surprise and his mouth dropped open a little. If she was honest with herself, she was just as shocked by her offer. Now that it was out there, she mentally crossed her fingers in the hopes his response would be yes.
“You want to help?”
Crossing her arms over her chest she raised an eyebrow. “I wasn’t always a model, you know. I’m pretty good at washing dishes and I can wait tables.”
“Well, I’m not one to turn down an offer of help.” He held out his hand and she placed her hand in his. Again warmth and tingles sizzled through her blood. “Let’s get to work, Pandora Sebastian.”
Chapter Eight
“So Doc McCarthy walks into my bathroom and says, What the hell, Ray, you should’ve called a plumber, not me. To which I responded Wally’s at the races, you’re the next best thing. He rolled his eyes, but a half hour later my toe was free and bandaged and we were sharing a beer.”
Pandora laughed, as she was supposed to, but she had no idea who the gentleman sitting at the bar was talking about. “I’m glad the doctor was able to help you out.”
“Are you telling tales again, Ray?” Jonas walked up, dish towel slung over his shoulder again. He balanced two empty glasses in his hand. As much as she wanted to keep some distance betw
een her and Jonas, the attraction that had sparked within her the first time he looked at her with his gentle eyes was blossoming to life. She had to admit he looked pretty sexy right now, in all his bartender glory.
“They’re not tales, Jonas, you know that. I’m always telling the truth.” Pandora would’ve believed Ray, if he hadn’t winked at her.
“As they say: if there’s no photo proof, then it didn’t happen,” she quipped and he laughed. Jonas’s soft chuckle slithered down her spine like a snowflake falling from the sky.
“I like her, Jonas. You should keep her.”
Pandora’s smile froze in place. The last thing the both of them needed was for everyone in Bunya Junction to pair them up. This town and their openness wasn’t something she was used to.
“Sadly, Ray, Pandora is only here for a couple of weeks and, after tonight, I’m not sure she’ll be wanting to hang around. Not with the tall tales you keep telling.”
The older man clutched at his chest. “I’m heartbroken. You’re much prettier to look at than Jonas here.” Ray leaned forward and squinted his eyes. “You know you look like that girl in the picture in Beryl’s hair salon.”
Pandora was surprised that Ray wasn’t aware of her true occupation. She was sure, by now, that her story of being a runaway bride had been cleared up and most people knew who she really was. If people were still confused, now might be a good time to clear it all up. “That’s because it is me. I’m a model.”
“Oh, so you’re not a broken-hearted bride?” He kind of looked sad that she wasn’t.
Pandora laughed. “Nope, far from it.” Out of the corner of her eye she saw that Jonas had filled the glasses he’d held and was headed down the opposite end of the bar from where she was standing.
“Damn, that would’ve been a heck of story to tell,” Ray commented.
“If you hear any gossip, you can correct them now, can’t you? You’ll know more than anyone.”
Ray lifted his beer and took a sip, all the while watching her, a devilish glint shone in his grey eyes. “But where’s the fun in that. I think I’ll stick to the runaway bride story. Sounds much better.”
She was getting a front row seat of what living in a small town could be like. These people were too good to be true, but her heart was warming to their generosity. She would just be careful not to get too attached. Pandora laughed at his antics. “Okay, just for you, Ray, you can tell everyone I’m a runaway bride with a broken heart.”
“And Jonas is mending it for you?” His eyes widened in speculation and Pandora’s gaze darted to the man in question. Fortunately he was still chatting to the people at the other end of the bar and hadn’t heard him. At least she hoped he hadn’t.
“No. That is not the case at all. I didn’t want to sit in my room all night long staring at the walls, so I offered to help. Nothing more than that.”
“Uh huh.” Ray smiled over the top of his glass.
Pandora controlled the urge to roll her eyes and throw her arms up in the air. Looked like this was another lesson in living in a small town—people liked to speculate, no matter what they were told. The fact they had no issues with her presence boggled her mind. This town had to be abnormal. Not every country town was like this, were they?
“Okay, I need to see to some other customers. Don’t be spreading lies, Ray.”
“Who me?” The older man clutched his chest again as if she’d mortally wounded him this time.
She spent the next few minutes preparing drinks for Patricia, the only server who was working that night. As Jonas had predicted, there was a small crowd in the bar. The televisions were on, but she didn’t think anyone was watching them. There may not be any sport on a Sunday night in Australia, but it was clear Jonas subscribed to cable television, because on the screens was a sports show she’d seen on television when she’d been visiting America.
“How are your feet?”
She startled and almost dropped the glass she had in her hand. “Give a girl a little warning, Jonas. I could’ve dropped this.” Pandora held up the drink she’d just finished making.
“Wouldn’t be the first time a glass ended up on the floor. I’ve dropped my fair share while working. But seriously, you should go take a break. You’ve been on your feet since we opened the doors, which was a couple of hours ago.”
Now that he’d mentioned it, her feet began to throb. She had on the sneakers she’d worn the previous evening when they’d gone for their walk. They weren’t as pristine now as they had been then. But she didn’t want to show any weakness. “I’m fine.”
Jonas’s eyes narrowed. Oops, she hadn’t been as convincing as she’d thought she’d been. “I see you’ve been taking lessons from Ray.”
“Lessons?”
“Lessons in telling tall tales. Go sit.” He pointed to a free stool on the opposite side of the bar to where they stood. “You deserve a break.”
Should she argue with him or should she just do as he said? He wasn’t telling her in an authoritarian way. His concern was genuine. “Okay. But I’ll take a break if you take one when I get back behind the bar.”
“Who said you were going to be serving again after your break is over?” he countered, but she could also see the glint of humour in his eyes to know he wasn’t being an arse about it.
“What time do we close?”
Jonas raised an eyebrow at her use of we, but he didn’t comment on it. “The pub closes at eight.”
Pandora went to look at her watch, but her wrist was bare. Oh yeah, her watch was in her apartment in the city. “What time is it now?”
“Almost six,” Ray piped up and she bit back a smile at the glare Jonas sent in the older man’s direction.
“Right, so still a couple of hours until closing, which means that I’ll take a twenty-minute break and then you can take one after me.” She nodded her head as if the decision was final.
Ray hooted with laughter. “She’s got you there, Jonas. I know I said it before, but I’ll say it again. I like her. Are you sure you can’t say?” He directed his question to her.
She couldn’t deny that she’d had fun working with Jonas and getting to know the people of the small town she’d stumbled upon. For their first time working together, she and Jonas had fallen into a good pattern. They hadn’t run into each other while they’d been preparing drinks. Granted it wasn’t crazy busy, but she doubted the local in Bunya Junction ever had people lining up outside to come in.
But staying in town after the dust had settled on her career faux pas, well that wasn’t an option. She didn’t think there were too many modelling jobs required by the residents. While they’d been welcoming, she had been burned too many times to believe that their attitude toward her wouldn’t change—she was after all an outsider.
But maybe I can pick and choose the jobs I want from now on. Maybe I don’t have to take every one that’s offered.
Pandora shushed that voice in her head quick smart. She definitely wasn’t going down that road.
“Sorry, Ray.” She shrugged. “But after my two-week break is over, I’ll be heading back to my home in the city.”
“That’s a shame, love. I’d definitely prefer looking at your smiling face than his ugly mug.” He hooted with laughter and Jonas shook his head, while joining in the laughter.
Pandora poured herself a glass of Coke and headed for the back of the pub. Once she made it to Jonas’s office she plopped down in his chair and breathed out. The scent from his citrus cologne wafted around her, reminding her of the time she’d done a photo shoot in an orange and lemon grove. She’d craved oranges for days after the assignment.
One day. She’d been in Bunya Junction for one day and, yet, saying the words about returning to her home and leaving the people she’d met over the last thirty-odd hours left a horrid taste in her mouth. How could a town and the people who lived there affect her so quickly? More to the point—why was she letting them? Nothing good would come of it, especially with Jonas. Sh
e shouldn’t even be thinking about building something with the handsome pub owner.
Everyone she’d served or met had been open. Ray seemed like the town larrikin, but Jonas had mentioned that, when it came to Thursday trivia nights, Ray was ruthless. If she stayed she’d see that firsthand. Would she stay or would it be better for her to go back to her apartment tomorrow? After the press release today, it was highly probable that the paparazzi were camping out the front in the hopes of seeing her. But it could be safer to protect herself from possible hurt by returning sooner rather than later.
Guilt still lingered that she’d basically lied to the public. Nothing good was going to come of it if the truth came out and it was revealed that she didn’t have a pet that died. The damage could be worse than if she’d just told Laura to release a statement saying she’d walked off because she’d had enough.
She sighed. Maybe they should’ve gone the route of her having a small mental breakdown. In effect, that kind of was what had happened to her.
A rustle of clothing had her looking up and she spied Jonas standing in the doorway, his gaze intense. “Everything okay here?”
“Just thinking. Is my break over?” She pushed back from the table and walked toward him. When she was within touching distance she placed her hand on his chest, as if it was the most natural thing in the world to do.
Her heart rate kicked into overdrive when Jonas reached up and brushed a stray lock of hair off her face. “You don’t have to go back to work, you know.”
“I know,” she murmured. “I like it, though.”
They stood together for a few moments not saying anything. Jonas’s heart thumped steadily beneath her fingers. How many times had she done this exact same pose with a male model? Too many times to count, yet her body didn’t normally heat the way it was at the moment standing this close to Jonas.
“Pandora.” He whispered her name and she looked up. His blue eyes blazed with desire. Her hand on his chest clutched his polo, scrunching the soft material. Her other hand reached out and touched his cheek.
Runaway to the Outback Page 8