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my front yard.’
    ‘Oh, wow, I didn’t realise,’ I said as I looked over in the direction he’d pointed. Sure enough, there was a row of houses on the other side of the road.
    I waited for him to say something—anything—to indicate that he wanted to have a conversation. But he just stood there looking at me … then looking at the ground. There was definitely no smile on his face, and his expression was hard to read. I couldn’t quite tell … was he frowning at me? I could feel the heat in my face, embarrassed by the silence.
    ‘Well, I guess I should keep running, you know … before my muscles cool down. Anyway, it was nice to see you again,’ I said, starting to jog in place.
    ‘Lili, wait.’ He looked like he was in physical pain. ‘I just want you to know … I mean, it isn’t you … it’s just that I don’t … mix well … with people.’
    ‘I see,’ was all I could come up with. So, he doesn’t mix well … with people. What was that supposed to mean? He worked at a market, for God’s sake. He mixed with people all day.
    He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I thought he was going to say something more, so I waited, but he was silent.
    ‘Hey, look, it really is ok. Like I said the other day, it was just a football game. You don’t have to mix with me.’ I paused, waiting for some response, but again he just stared at me with his beautiful blue eyes. My heart was thumping now, and an emotion that was somewhere between hurt and anger bubbled to the surface. I couldn’t stand it any longer.
    ‘I’ve gotta keep running. It was nice seeing you,’ I said, looking over my shoulder as I ran off. I felt so confused by this man. The chemistry seemed to be there—the way he looked at me, the way his eyes seemed to drag me in—but maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part.
    I was probably just being stupid … thinking there was something there. But even if there was, this was too much like hard work. And after all, I’d only be here for two months, so it wasn’t like I needed to get involved with anyone. I’d put Sam out of my mind, and focus on what I’d come here to do—run.
    As I finished the lap and approached the tree once again, I was almost afraid to look over, but I needn’t have been. Sam was gone.

~ C HAPTER F OUR ~
    ‘Wasn’t that just the best day? And isn’t Tom wonderful? I think I’m in love,’ Claire crooned when she rang later that evening.
    ‘That’s great, Claire. Tom seems to like you too.’
    ‘He does, doesn’t he?’ she asked, her voice full of hope.
    ‘Sure. So, has he asked you out again?’
    ‘Uh … funny you should say that … yes. He wants us to go to Sydney.’
    ‘Oh, that sounds like fun. Good for you.’
    ‘No, I mean us, as in all of us. He won this competition on the radio—a weekend for four people. Hotel, airfares, everything’s paid for. Isn’t it just so romantic?’
    I swallowed, hard, then tried to speak but nothing came out.
    ‘Aren’t you excited?’ Claire asked, obviously finding it hard to believe I wasn’t as excited as she was. ‘I mean, a weekend in Sydney, with Tom and Sam. It’s gonna be soooo much fun!’
    I finally found my voice. ‘Uh, no … are you nuts? Sam wouldn’t want to go—seriously. If you want to have a weekend in Sydney with Tom, then by all means, go for it. But don’t try to drag me into it.’
    ‘But Tom already spoke to Sam. He does want to go. Tom says Sam’s looking forward to it. Don’t you want to go?’
    ‘When? What do you mean Tom’s already spoken to Sam? When did all this happen?’
    ‘Today, I guess. He dropped in to my work this afternoon. It was such a surprise. He took me out for a coffee and told me all about it. Said he’d won the competition this morning, and couldn’t wait to tell me about it. It’s this weekend. They don’t give you much warning with these things—you can either get away, or you forfeit the prize. So of course I said yes. Tell me you’ll