What Goes on Tour(24)

She hoped.

***

Adrian stared at Kent in the mirror. What the heck had possessed him to  ask that question? It was utterly ridiculous, but Libby had looked so  cute blushing and avoiding his eyes that he wanted to see more of it.

He was a fool. No good could come of it at all.

But could she actually like him?

He shook his head. It didn't matter. He wasn't going to do anything  about it. Especially if it upset Kate. He reached for the make-up  remover. It was late and Libby was bound to want to leave.

But perhaps in the morning he'd ask Kate what had made her think Libby fancied him.

He groaned and turned on the shower. Stooping to ask his ten-year-old  niece such a question was pathetic. He should forget it had happened at  all. He still had to see Libby when he got out of the shower.

Ten minutes later he was refreshed and ready.

In the main room the table was set with a steaming cup of tea and a  plate of leftovers. Libby stood with her bag over her shoulder, ready to  leave.

What should he say? He had a ridiculous urge to ask her to stay and chat  while he ate dinner. The idea of eating by himself suddenly seemed  lonely.

"I've packed up everything except what's in the fridge," Libby said,  bringing him out of his thoughts. "Kate is packed, and we left out what  she's going to wear tomorrow. We're leaving for the airport at nine,  aren't we?"                       
       
           



       

"That's right," Adrian replied, noting the bags next to the table.

Libby was already walking toward the door. "I'll see you then."

Before Adrian could ask her to stay, she was gone.

He sighed and took his seat at the table.

It really was for the best.

***

The next morning Adrian was woken by Kate's excited chatter as she bounded into his bedroom.

"Come on, sleepyhead. It's time to get up."

Adrian moaned, only half in jest, and rolled over, pulling the quilt  over his head. It had taken him hours to get to sleep the night before.  His head was full of Libby and the way she'd reacted to his question.

Kate laughed and jumped on the bed to shake him. "It's already 8.30 and I've had breakfast and written like a gazillion words."

That woke him up. He never slept this late. He'd forgotten to set his  alarm before going to bed the night before. And he still had to pack.

"I made you breakfast." Kate smiled down at him, obviously pleased with herself.

He sat up and picked up his T-shirt from next to the bed, pulling it on  quickly. "Sounds great. Let's go." He threw back the quilt as Kate  bounced off the bed and raced back into the main room.

The table was set with a huge bowl of cereal and a coffee. It reminded  him of the meal Libby had left out the night before and the conversation  they'd had before she left.

"Thanks, kiddo." He took his seat. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yep. Just packed up my backpack and put everything by the door."

Kate's suitcases and the cooler sat in the hallway. "You're way ahead of  me." He crunched into his cereal. "Glad to see you're in a better mood  today."

Kate flung herself into a chair and looked at him, clearly deciding what  she should say. "Me and Libby had a chat and sorted it all out."

"So you weren't mad at me?"

"Nope."

Should he push it further? He'd like to think Kate could talk to him about anything. "Do you want to tell me about it?"

Kate pursed her lips together and then looked down at her hands. "No. It's kind of a secret."

"Really?" Why would Kate say that? Unless what Libby told him wasn't  true. Or unless Kate had been right and she didn't want to spill Libby's  secret.

This was ridiculous.

He finished his cereal and Kate carried the bowl to the sink to wash.  Adrian stood, drinking the last of his coffee. "I'll just have a  shower."

"Uncle Ade?"

There was something in her voice that made Adrian stop mid-stride and turn to his niece. "Yes?"

"Do you like Libby?" Her eyes were wide. She was trying, but not succeeding, to sound casual.

What was she up to? "Of course," he answered. "She's a very nice person and takes good care of you."

"Do you think she's cute?"

Whoa. He wasn't expecting that. His thoughts flashed back to the night  before and he smiled at the memory. Kate studied him with a grin on her  face. Heck. "Ah, she's attractive, I guess." Lame, Adrian, very lame.

Kate grinned. "Okay, thanks." She turned back to the dishes.

Not so fast. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no reason." She shrugged. "You should get ready or else George is gonna be madder than a cut snake."

Unfortunately she was right. Making a note to grill her more at a later  date, he headed to the bathroom. Kate giggled behind him.

She was up to something.





Chapter 9




The drive to the airport was uncomfortable. Libby couldn't avoid Adrian,  so she just gave him a brief smile and made sure Kate sat next to him.  Luckily Kate was her usual chatty self, excited about going on the  plane.

After they checked in, Libby spotted a bookstore and took the  opportunity to excuse herself to go and browse. She'd made a real mess  of it last night. She should have denied what Kate had said immediately,  giving Adrian no chance to think she might like him more than she  should.

Libby rolled her shoulders and focused on the books.

All four of her novels were on the shelf and a burst of pride swept  through her. She had achieved this. Her hard work and persistence had  made this happen.

"Excuse me, you're Libby Myles, aren't you?" The bookseller stood next to her.

Libby blinked in surprise. She was never recognized. She smiled. "Yes."

"I recognized you from the TV show last week. Would you mind signing a  few copies of your latest book? Customers love signed copies."

Libby grinned. The thrill of being asked to sign one of her books hadn't  dulled, despite all the book signings she'd done. "Sure." She followed  the woman across to the counter where a stack of her books waited. The  woman handed her a pen and Libby started signing.                       
       
           



       

"Libby, we're going to grab a coffee."

At Adrian's voice Libby looked up. "Be right there."

The bookseller smiled at Adrian. "I'm sorry. It must be a pain for you,  knowing someone famous like Libby. I couldn't let the opportunity slide  when I recognized her."

Libby whipped her gaze up to Adrian, who was smiling broadly.

"It sure is, ma'am, but we deal with it the best we can."

Libby almost choked holding in the laughter. She finished signing the books and returned the pen.

"Thank you so much," the woman gushed.

"Anytime," Libby said and followed Adrian, Kate and George out of the shop.

After making sure she was far enough away for the bookseller not to  hear, she burst out laughing. The absurdity of the situation tickled her  funny bone and she couldn't stop. Tears formed in her eyes as she tried  to control the laughter.

"What's so funny, Libby?" Kate asked.

Libby gestured for Adrian to respond. She couldn't form any words.

Adrian chuckled, obviously amused by her reaction. He repeated what the woman in the bookstore had said.

George and Kate laughed. "She sure put you in your place," George said.

"I'll have to remember I'm acquainted with a famous author now." Adrian smiled at Libby and winked.

Libby's laughter subsided as her breath caught in her throat. She had to stop reacting to Adrian this way.

"Come on, I need my caffeine," George said. He turned and headed for the  nearest coffee shop. Adrian looked at Libby for a second longer than  necessary and then turned and followed his friend.

Libby gave herself a moment to calm her rapidly beating heart.

She was in big trouble.

***

It was her third day in Sydney and Libby was really pleased with the  work she had done. This manuscript didn't need as much rewriting as her  previous one and she was already halfway through her revisions. She'd  also applied for a couple more rental properties and had rung her  realtor to see if he could help. He said he'd be in touch, but Libby  wasn't holding her breath. Today she needed a break and was glad she had  to look after Kate.

She'd not seen Kate or Adrian since they arrived at the hotel on  Tuesday. They had all sorts of sightseeing plans and Kate had written  her a couple of emails to tell Libby about their adventures. Libby  missed spending time with them both, but she was glad of the break.  Hopefully Adrian would have forgotten all about the conversation they'd  had on their last night in Melbourne.

Checking the time, she gathered up her laptop and room key and headed to Kate's room.

It was still early, but Adrian had a number of radio interviews lined  up. He answered the door just after she knocked, decked out in his full  Kent outfit. He smiled at her slowly and her insides went wobbly. She  pasted an answering smile on her face. "Good morning."