The Reluctant Wag by Mary Costello Read Free Book Online

came up behind them, roughly elbowed Tom out of his way and placed his hand in the small of her back. ‘That photographer guy’s waiting just up ahead,’ he said. ‘Let’s nip in here and give him the slip.’ And he steered her through a small gateway that led into the gardens and directed her along a narrow path between high shrubs.
    ‘What are you doing?’ she asked. ‘Where are we going?’
    ‘Let’s go for a drink.’
    ‘A drink? We’re supposed to be doing a photo shoot,’ she protested.
    ‘Come on! How many shots does that guy need? You look fantastic in all of them anyway, and so long as I look as if I’m suffering but determined, they’ll be happy.’
    She couldn’t help but laugh at that. ‘Where would we get a drink at this time of the morning? The café can’t be open yet.’
    ‘No, but I know the owner. We can scrounge a mineral water or something. We’ll go in the back way.’
    He led her into a small parking area at the rear of the café and opened the door.
    ‘Hi, Cal!’ a man called out cheerily as they made their way through the kitchen and out into the stylish café. ‘What can I get you?’
    ‘Two juices would be good.’ He didn’t bother consulting her. ‘And, Matt, in case anyone asks, you didn’t see us.’
    Matt laughed. ‘Of course not. I never do.’
    They sat at a table near the terrace. It was cool and quiet and the window-wall gave them a clear view of the ornamental lake edged by luscious tree ferns and graceful willows. She turned to look at him, and felt a thrill run through her. He was so . . . compelling. There was a sheen of sweat on his golden skin – a glow of health and strength that was irresistibly attractive. And when he smiled at the waiter who brought their drinks, his whole face was transformed and she felt something inside give way. Could he tell? Could he see the effect he had on her? She prayed that he couldn’t, and tried to look composed.
    ‘I’ve never been here before,’ she commented. ‘It’s beautiful.’
    ‘Yeah, better than pounding the Tan, that’s for sure.’
    ‘Yes, but I wonder if I’m about to get the sack for playing truant.’
    ‘They’d have to sack me, too, and they won’t do that,’ he said confidently. He was so totally sure of himself and his place in the world, she thought.
    ‘But they need you. You’re – well, Cal McCoy – they can’t do without you. I’m just another model, and there’s plenty more where I came from, all just dying to race around Melbourne with the Yarraside heroes.’
    ‘Yep.’ He didn’t elaborate, just eyed her in a detached way.
    ‘And I suspect that while it might be flattering for players at first, it must get really annoying after a while – to be so adored.’
    ‘Yeah,’ he said lightly, ‘it’s a pain in the neck. But we get paid a lot of money to do something we love, so we can’t really complain about the unwelcome attention.’
    ‘No, I suppose not.’
    ‘And what about you? Enjoying the publicity?’
    ‘I hate it!’ she said with feeling. ‘The whole celebrity scene just isn’t me. I can’t stand it.’
    He looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. ‘Then why do it?’
    ‘I really need the money, to be honest, and I thought it would be good for my career to get some sort of insight into how a media campaign works.’
    He said nothing, looking at her rather sceptically. Then he quickly finished his drink and glanced at his watch.
    ‘We should go,’ she said hurriedly.
    ‘Yep. I’ve got to get over to the training oval now.’
    ‘Where will we say we were?’ she asked anxiously.
    ‘Leave it to me,’ he said. ‘I can always sweet-talk Paige.’
    Yes, she’d just bet he could. He probably thought he could sweet-talk any woman, including her. It was with this thought in her mind that she barely looked at him when they got back to the SMO caravan, and she dismissed him with an impersonal, ‘See you.’ She was praying that it fooled everyone –