Mirabella stood on the balcony as she FaceTimed Freya and updated her on everything that had happened since her friend had dropped her at the airport yesterday morning. Freya blinked her big, dark eyes and Mirabella smiled. It wasn’t often anyone could render Freya speechless.
‘I … I thought when I hadn’t heard from you that it must have gone well. I’m so sorry, Bella! If I hadn’t—’
‘If you hadn’t convinced me to surprise Marc, I’d never have known the truth. Or run into Lincoln. You have nothing to be sorry about.’
Freya sighed. ‘Yes, but still.’ Then her eyes brightened. ‘I can’t believe you actually went with him to Hamilton Island. That’s wild!’
Mirabella grinned. ‘I know. It’s so unlike me. But just look at this view.’
She turned her phone around to show Freya the blue sky and receding waters of Catseye Beach. Now that it was low tide, the sand was littered with washed-up coral and wasn’t so pretty.
But Freya didn’t seem to notice. ‘Wow … it’s breathtaking. I’m so jealous. Pity you don’t have paint with you.’
‘Yeah, but there’s an art gallery here so I managed to get a sketchbook.’
‘Good. And you love the ocean so I’m sure you’ll do plenty of drawings.’
Mirabella turned the screen back to herself. She and Freya had met at university and had been best friends ever since. Freya was primarily a painter and Mirabella gave her the credit for the improvement in her own painting skills. They’d supported each other through their growing careers and had started their own side business by hosting wine and paint classes, which had proved to be very popular.
‘I’ll draw plenty, but I’ll also book into an art class because then I can do a painting without buying all the equipment. But we’ll see … After all, I’m here for two weeks!’
‘Yeah, that doesn’t sound like you. What are you going to do on an island for two weeks?’
Mirabella shrugged. Freya had a point. She’d always preferred holidays that kept her busy and moving. Even when she’d lived in New York, she’d spent every weekend visiting museums, galleries, and other famous landmarks. But Lincoln could relax better than anyone she’d ever known, so she could see why he’d have chosen a long vacation in the Whitsundays. He was perfectly content to sit by the pool, snorkel over the reef, and kick back with a beer on a tropical getaway.
Warmth settled inside Mirabella as she thought over the wonderful day they’d had. She’d enjoyed every minute of it, even though she’d spent the whole time at Flat Top Hill fighting back tears. Lincoln deserved to have love in his life and it broke her heart that he would deny himself a family.
Focus on work? Was he serious?
‘We have plenty to do,’ Mirabella told Freya. ‘But I just wanted to check if you’re okay to look after Honey for me?’
‘Absolutely.’ Freya ducked out of the picture and Mirabella’s heart swelled as her friend lifted the chihuahua to the screen. ‘We’re having a great time, aren’t we?’
‘I’m glad. Hi, Honey!’ The dog’s ears perked at the sound of Mirabella’s voice. ‘How’s my best girl?’
‘She’s good,’ Freya said, tucking Honey under her arm. ‘So, tell me about Lincoln.’
Mirabella glanced over her shoulder to check Lincoln was still in the bathroom showering off their bushwalk. Freya already knew about him, of course, but Mirabella quickly updated her about his wife leaving and his infertility.
‘Oh, that’s tough. Sounds like he could use a holiday. You both deserve it.’
‘I know. And we’ve been …’ Mirabella paused. She didn’t know how to phrase it. ‘Good for each other.’
Freya frowned. ‘Are you still attracted to him?’
A smile escaped Mirabella’s lips before she could stop it. ‘Maybe …’
‘Oh, Bella. No.’ Freya shook her head, blonde hair swishing over her shoulders. ‘You can’t. His wife just left him!’
‘I know, I know.’ And after their discussion at the lookout, Mirabella knew Lincoln was in no position to move on yet, even if he wasn’t still in love with Jenny. ‘But if anything happens while we’re here … I’m not going to stop it.’
‘But you’re pregnant!’
A fist clenched around Mirabella’s heart and she resisted a wince. ‘I know. And that’s probably what will keep us apart. Lincoln doesn’t think he could love a child that isn’t his.’
Freya frowned. ‘Why?’
‘I told you about his stepfather, right?’
Understanding dawned in Freya’s dark eyes. ‘Right … Either way, I still don’t think it’s a good idea to get involved with him. The Whitsundays might be romantic and all, but please be careful. I know he’s rich and gorgeous, but I don’t want to see you get hurt.’
Mirabella sighed and sank into the wooden deckchair. ‘I’m aware of the risk, Freya. Trust me. And I know it’s not a good time for either of us.’ In fact, it was a terrible time and she was a fool to think it was possible. Lincoln was struggling with a lot and to be told you couldn’t have children … Mirabella shook her head. She couldn’t fathom it. It would be gut-wrenching. Soul destroying. He’d had his entire future shattered in an instant. She should keep her distance. But …
‘I feel like I could make him happy,’ she confessed. ‘Eventually. When he realises that he has alternatives and that life shouldn’t be lived alone. I can give Lincoln a family, Freya. And I’m deadly afraid of the rights Marc will have to our child.’
The worry hadn’t left her all afternoon. She’d heard stories—of mothers unable to take their kids on holiday without permission. Of fathers essentially kidnapping their children from school. Would Marc be vindictive? Even though he’d slammed the door on her, would he demand his rights one day? Would he take her to court for custody?
Mirabella’s stomach roiled as fear burned hot in her throat. She couldn’t let it scare her … but Tuscany still sounded very welcoming.
‘Yes, I understand. And it sounds perfect on the outside, Bella. But if Lincoln’s not ready, you’ll only end up hurting you both. When you get home, we’ll work out the legalities. My cousin’s a lawyer, so we can talk to her. Hell, two women can even have babies together—I’ll adopt it.’
Mirabella didn’t take Freya seriously, but her heart swelled all the same. ‘You’d do that for me?’
‘You’re my best friend. I’d do anything for you.’
‘Aww, thanks. But I don’t think that solves the problem of me naming a father.’
Freya grimaced. ‘True.’
The bathroom door opened and Mirabella turned to peek into the room. Lincoln strode barefoot on the carpet, his hair wet as he buttoned his shirt. Catching a glimpse of his broad chest, she gulped. Good Lord …
Freya giggled and Mirabella tore her gaze away.
‘See something you like?’ her friend asked, and Mirabella blushed.
‘Don’t start. But I should go. Linc and I are going to the tavern to watch the footy.’
Freya smiled, a sly twinkle in her eye despite her previous protests. ‘Have fun.’
‘I will.’ Mirabella grinned as Freya lifted Honey’s paw in a wave before they disconnected.
Lincoln stepped onto the balcony. ‘Is Honey okay?’
‘Yep.’ Mirabella stood and slipped her phone into her pocket. Her heart continued to pound as her gaze locked with his. He leaned one broad shoulder against the door jamb, the red shirt stretching across his gorgeous chest as he slipped his hands into the pockets of well-fitted jeans.
She blew out her breath. Talk about sexy. Why had she refused to get separate rooms again?
Mirabella inwardly shook herself. No, Freya was right. She needed to supress her attraction. She and Lincoln were friends. That was all.
She forced casualness into her voice. ‘Ready to go?’
Lincoln nodded. Mirabella moved past his warm body and into the room, trying not to look at him as she slipped on her shoes and gathered her handbag.
Love, lust, romance … none of it was an option.
***
They spent the next morning apart.
Mirabella wasn’t sad to see Lincoln go as he drove away in the golf buggy. She needed time to herself, to catch her breath and realign her wayward thoughts.
Her fears about Marc hadn’t vanished. Lying awake last night while Lincoln had slept soundly, she’d googled horror stories about separated parents. The research may have distracted her from the desire to curl up beside Lincoln, but it had ramped up her other anxieties. There was very little that Marc couldn’t do when it came to this child. He could drag her through the courts and demand shared or even full custody. He could even make her move to Sydney.
Of course, if Marc did change his mind and want something to do with this child, then hopefully they could come to an agreement outside of court. But the little part of her that was still mad at him—he’d demanded she have an abortion, after all—hoped that she’d never need to lay eyes on him again.
Mirabella sighed as she strolled to the resort centre and tried to shove Marc from her mind. She’d consult a lawyer as soon as she got home, but there was little she could do until then. For now, she was incredibly fortunate to be on this island and she should take advantage of that. She wanted to destress and relax—two things she’d never been good at. But she’d try, she thought as she pulled open the door to Spa Wumurdaylin to enquire about available treatments.
She’d heard that some spa treatments were dangerous during pregnancy though and after consulting the receptionist, Mirabella was disappointed to learn she wasn’t left with many options. Massage and foil wraps were out, so she settled on a radiance facial and booked it for two days’ time.
‘Would you like any additional enhancements?’ the receptionist asked, pointing to a list of extras. Mirabella’s gaze was immediately drawn to Lips of Love, a cleanse that apparently restored tired, chapped lips. There wasn’t anything wrong with her lips, but if it made them more inviting … more kissable …
She added it to her treatment before she could change her mind, then wandered over to Island Hair and Beauty for a mani pedi. It wasn’t something she did often, as a manicure never lasted long with her career as an artist, but she might as well treat herself.
Then she could relax by the pool until Lincoln returned from jet skiing.
The mere thought of him put the race back in her pulse.
***
Riding the jet ski at breakneck speed over the smooth, clear water managed to clear Lincoln’s head. He grinned as adrenaline pumped hot through his veins. He’d always been a thrillseeker. Eric had taken him to the Royal Easter Show every year as a kid where he’d allowed Lincoln to indulge in the drops, spins, and speed of the rides. Jet skiing had been second on his list of Whitsunday experiences he looked forward to after scuba diving and he had to admit, he’d probably rent another before this trip was over. He only wished now, as he sat idling near Dent Island, that he had Mirabella by his side. Or better yet, straddled behind him with her breasts pressed against his back …
Lincoln gritted his teeth and suppressed a groan. He shouldn’t think about Mirabella like that. She was pregnant, dammit. Pregnant. And therefore, not the woman for him.
Revving the engine back to life, Lincoln sped over the dark, still waters, the salty wind whipping in his face. He only had ten minutes left of his hire session and he took every second of that to indulge in his fun before returning the jet ski to the marina.
When he picked up his phone, his gut clenched when he saw the missed call from his assistant. He rarely went twenty-four hours without hearing from Eva and he sort of missed her. But the Byron Bay project was in discussion today and Lincoln had told her not to hesitate to contact him with any news.
Biting back a curse, Lincoln returned the call. ‘Eva?’
‘Linc. Sorry to bother you.’
‘Not at all. Tell me we’ve secured the deal.’
There was no nonsense when it came to Eva. Lincoln liked her because she was serious and, if possible, more married to her job than he was. She had a boyfriend of some kind, but that was all he knew about her personal life as they kept their relationship strictly professional. But even so, Eva was probably his closest friend, as pitiful as that might sound.
‘Not exactly,’ she said bitterly. ‘They want to renegotiate.’
Lincoln closed his eyes and ran his hand down his face. ‘Renegotiate what?’
‘Henderson Constructions are willing to do it at lower cost.’
‘And lower safety standards,’ he muttered through gritted teeth. ‘Do they know that?’
‘Yes, Eric’s talking them down. I wouldn’t worry, I was just keeping you updated.’
‘Thanks, Eva.’ And he wasn’t worried as Eric was an excellent negotiator. His stepfather had his faults, but he had a good head for business and Jacobs Property Group had thrived under his leadership these past fourteen years. If Eric was renegotiating the deal, Lincoln had no doubt he’d secure it. ‘Call me when they sign, yeah?’
‘Absolutely.’
They said their goodbyes—with no fuss or her asking about his holiday—and Lincoln hung up. He didn’t plan to work while on vacation, but he hadn’t wanted to be uncontactable and was glad Eva had called. Nevertheless, he shoved the Byron Bay deal to the back of his mind as he shrugged into a dry shirt and slipped his sandals onto his feet. Tossing the towel over his shoulder, he messaged Mirabella.
Done jet skiing. Want to meet up?
She was quick to reply. Yep. At the main pool near the bar.
Lincoln’s heart clenched. The pool? God, he hoped she was lounging about in jeans and not …
He shook the image from his head. Get a grip, man!
Lincoln drew a deep breath as he shoved his phone into his pocket and slipped behind the wheel of the golf buggy. He needed to find a lid for his desire—and soon—as he drove over the hill to the resort centre. But was difficult when Mirabella was so damn pretty it hurt.
He arrived at the lagoon-style pool nestled among lush tropical gardens and palm trees. Towels and bags lay haphazardly on white plastic sunlounges while people swam through the glistening water and kids shouted. He found Mirabella’s bag, book, and towel lying on a sunlounge and cast his gaze over the pool.
He stilled when he spotted her, his heart thudding in his chest.
Mirabella rose from the water like a tanned, toned Aphrodite. Her black bikini cupped her firm, rounded breasts in two thick triangles while the boyleg bottoms highlighted her shapely thighs. Water droplets shimmered on her skin while a blue crystal sparkled in her belly button.
Lincoln swallowed, heat curling in his belly. He clenched his hands as she squeezed water from her long, dark hair and moved towards him, her smile radiant.
‘Hey. How was jet skiing?’
He tore his gaze from her trim body and sank onto the edge of the lounge beside hers. ‘It was fun. Would have been better if you’d been there.’
The words left his mouth before he could stop them, but that didn’t make the statement any less true.
Mirabella smiled softly as she lay on her towel and crossed her delicate ankles. ‘I wish I’d been there too, but all that bumping around couldn’t be good for the baby. Better safe than sorry, I suppose. Even raising my body temperature could be harmful, which rules out most spa treatments. But I’ve booked a facial for Wednesday.’
Lincoln swallowed and kept his eyes trained to hers. ‘Sounds relaxing.’
‘Should be. I’ve never had one, so I’m looking forward to it.’
Lincoln only hoped it wouldn’t make her any more beautiful. He had trouble looking at her now without lust stirring inside him. The last thing he needed was some spa therapist enhancing the glow of her skin or making her lips appear any more—
Pregnant. She’s pregnant.
And he didn’t want to kiss his pregnant friend.
‘Yeah.’ He cleared his throat and rubbed his sweating palms against his thighs. ‘Do you want to get some lunch?’
She nodded and—much to his relief—threw a blue sundress over her bikini before slipping on her shoes and hat.
Leaving the golf buggy in the parking lot, they strolled towards the marina. Walking beneath the shade of dense trees managed to cool his simmering desire a smidge.
‘I think I’m in the mood for a sandwich,’ Mirabella said. ‘Something healthy and fresh.’
‘Let’s go to the café then.’
‘Okay. And tomorrow, can we go here?’
Lincoln frowned as they passed the wildlife centre. ‘Why?’
‘I want to cuddle a koala.’
His frown deepened. ‘Really?’
She flashed him a smile. ‘Yeah.’
‘Haven’t you cuddled a koala?’ She shook her head and his eyebrows shot up. ‘Seriously? Why not?’
‘I don’t know. I’ve seen koalas before, but I’ve never held one. Most places don’t let you anymore. But here, they do.’
‘All right.’ He hadn’t planned to visit the wildlife centre, but he couldn’t say no to Mirabella. She couldn’t go jet skiing or scuba diving, so the least he could do was take her to see the Australian animals. ‘But they’re not cuddly, you know? Koalas are scratchy, heavy things.’
She shrugged and tossed her damp hair over her shoulder. ‘I don’t care. I just want a photo of me and a koala. You know, before I move to Tuscany and don’t get the opportunity again.’
‘Wait. What?’ Lincoln came to a halt and reached out to touch her arm. She turned to face him, her eyes withdrawn. ‘What’s this about Tuscany?’
Mirabella shrugged. ‘I’ve always wanted to do a sketching holiday in Europe. I’m not sure of the plan yet, but why not, right?’
His gaze dropped to her flat stomach. ‘But you’re pregnant.’
‘I know. And if I have the baby in Italy, I won’t need to worry about Marc.’
Lincoln stared at her, his head spinning. She’d mentioned she was scared of the rights Marc had to their child and the power he could wield, but he hadn’t realised … ‘So, you’re going to run away to Tuscany?’
She glanced down. ‘No. I’m taking the opportunity to fulfil my dream and advance my career.’
‘And have a baby in a country where you have no rights.’
She blew out an impatient breath, lifted her gaze, and shrugged. ‘Well, what am I supposed to do? Marc doesn’t want us. I could fight for sole custody—’
‘And I’ll help you.’ Stepping towards her, he gripped Mirabella’s hands and squeezed. ‘I told you, I’ll get you a good lawyer.’
She pressed her lips together and nodded, but it didn’t stop tears from filling her eyes. Exhaling, Lincoln didn’t hesitate as he drew her into his arms.
‘It’ll be okay, Bella. I promise.’
She nodded before laying her head on his shoulder. Her arms encircled his waist as he breathed in her scent of coconut, sunscreen, and the saltwater pool. ‘I’m so scared, Lincoln. I mean, having a baby …’
‘Is scary,’ he agreed, ignoring the heat pulsating through his veins as he held her. ‘Especially when you’re doing it alone. But I told you, if there’s anything you need …’
‘All right. But still …’ She lifted her head and smiled. ‘I wouldn’t mind going to Tuscany.’
‘Then how about you wait until after the baby is born?’
She drew away. ‘When Marc can demand I don’t take his kid out of the country?’
Lincoln shook his head and brushed the tear from her cheek, her soft skin shooting electricity straight to his heart. ‘He won’t be able to. Not when you win sole parental rights.’
He smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, trying his best to keep the gesture friendly as they started up the hill. ‘Come on, let’s not worry. We have a whole island to enjoy. But I do think, when you get home, that you should talk to Marc.’
She groaned. ‘Yeah, I know. I mean, I can understand he must have been shocked and my news wouldn’t have been easy to hear.’
‘No. And while what he did by lying to you was quite awful, he does need to face what he’s done. Getting you pregnant, that is.’
She sighed. ‘We should have been more careful. I mean, I don’t know what went wrong. I’m on the pill, but …’
‘We know the only sure-fire way not to get pregnant is abstinence, Bella. That’s why you and I never …’ He trailed off and cleared his throat. ‘Not as though it would have mattered, in hindsight.’
The tension in his spine eased as Mirabella wrapped her arm around his waist, but the heat in his belly remained. ‘It’s all right, Lincoln. And you never know … maybe one day …’
He frowned as she trailed off, her gaze dropping to the ground again. ‘Maybe one day what?’
‘You might decide to consider the other options.’
He shook his head as they emerged from the shady road and turned onto Front Street, running alongside the sunny marina. ‘Nope. There are no other options, Bella. Work and holidays, that’s my life now. I’m going to seek adventure. Go bungee jumping and skydiving. Pity they don’t have those opportunities here.’
Mirabella was silent for almost too long.
‘Yeah,’ she said as they slipped beneath the shade of the Marina Café’s balcony. ‘Pity.’
***
She couldn’t believe she’d fallen apart in front of Lincoln. Shaking her head, Mirabella bit into her gourmet chicken sandwich. He was right though. She’d need to communicate with Marc at least once more. As much as she wished otherwise, it was still his baby and talking to him was a more mature option than running away to Tuscany.
Mirabella reached for her drink. She had to stop worrying. She’d sort everything out when she got home. Right now though, she was more concerned about Lincoln.
Skydiving? Bungee jumping? Yes, he’d always loved show rides and they’d had annual passes to Luna Park as teenagers. They’d spent many hours on the thrill rides and had ridden that Ferris wheel beneath the Harbour Bridge countless times.
It was where he’d first kissed her.
Her heart squeezed as she gulped down some water. She really shouldn’t think about that. Walking in his embrace to the café had caused enough shivers to run through her body and remind her that Lincoln Crawford had always made her knees weak. Ever since that first day of high school in homeroom all those many years ago. Despite his not-so-good family situation, Lincoln had been a happy-go-lucky teenager, willing to embrace life and everything that the future had to offer. But so much had changed since then and, sadly, the man who sat beside her at the picnic table was not the man she remembered.
‘So, where do you think you’ll go bungee jumping?’
Lincoln shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it.’
She nodded, casting her gaze out to the marina and the expensive yachts. There were many of them. How did people afford such luxury? Some of those boats had to be worth millions.
Curious, she glanced at Lincoln. ‘Do you have a boat?’
He shook his head, dark hair falling over his forehead. ‘Nope.’
‘Well, I think you should.’ She didn’t know why, but he it seemed like something he should have. Especially if he was keen to live the adventurous single-man’s lifestyle. ‘You could cruise around the harbour. Set off up the coast. It’d come in handy for New Year’s Eve.’
‘Hmm … I might think about it. Could I get a jet ski instead?’
Mirabella lifted her shoulder, chewed her sandwich, and swallowed. ‘If you like. And you know, there’s probably adventures to have in Tuscany too.’
‘Could go wine tasting,’ he said with a smile. ‘But you don’t need to run away to Tuscany, Bella.’
‘I know. But I’ll still go one day. You could visit me.’
He laughed. ‘If you were in Tuscany, I’d definitely visit. In fact, I’ll do my best to visit you no matter where you are.’
Her heart stupidly swelled. ‘Yeah?’
‘Yeah.’ He studied her as he bit into his turkey panini. She held his gaze as he chewed, warmth rushing over her skin. Swallowing, he sighed. ‘We should have stayed in touch …’
Her stomach knotted. Oh, how she wished they had. ‘We did for a little while.’
‘Yeah, we did. But I guess life got in the way, right?’
She nodded sadly. ‘Right. We each had things to do, Linc. We were both studying and … I guess …’
‘I found it hard.’
Her eyebrows shot up. ‘You did?’
‘Yeah. I missed you, Bella. And I’ll admit, letting you go …’
She stared at him. Her heart pounded. The tropical air began to suffocate her. But she knew what he wanted to say. It was the same thing she felt, that they should have found a way to make a long-distance relationship work.
‘It was the hardest thing I ever did, Lincoln,’ she whispered. ‘Leaving you. But RMIT—’
‘Had the best art program in the country.’
She blew out her breath. ‘And I had to go.’
‘Which is what I told you in high school. But …’
His eyes glazed over. Seagulls squawked, but she couldn’t look away. There were no words as she surrendered to the urge to inch towards him. A magnet had latched to her heart and he was made of iron. The sensation of his arm around her shoulders, of standing in his embrace only moments ago … A shiver coursed through her from head to toe and heat settled in the depths of her belly.
Lincoln’s gaze dropped to her mouth. His eyes hooded.
Her lips fell apart as her breath caught in her throat. She’d let him kiss her. God, she wanted him to. She wanted him to know that she’d give him everything he’d ever wanted. That she was the only woman who could—
His shoulders sagged as he exhaled and turned back to his half-eaten panini. Mirabella’s heart plummeted.
‘I just wish we hadn’t lost contact,’ he muttered. ‘But … We can be friends again, can’t we?’
Mirabella pressed her lips together and resisted the urge to cry for the second time in an hour. Damn pregnancy hormones. If only they were actually to blame. ‘Yeah. Of course. In fact, we are friends again. Right?’
Lincoln nodded, his eyes brightening. ‘Yeah, I’d say so. And I’m glad.’
Her spine softened, but she couldn’t bring herself to smile. ‘Me too.’
But I want to be more … Mirabella sighed as she swallowed those words and picked up her sandwich. One step at a time, that’s all she could hope for. And hope she did because if she wasn’t mistaken, Lincoln had just almost kissed her.
And he probably would have … if not for the baby growing in her belly.
She turned her attention back to the marina as she placed her hand to her stomach and chewed. Nevertheless, she loved this little miracle. And in time, she was sure Lincoln could too.
Because babies brought more thrill than bungee jumping ever could.