By Request Collection 1. Jackie Braun

soldiers.

      ‘Each and every one of them makes a huge personal sacrifice to protect us here in Australia. They leave their families and loved ones and endure life-threatening situations on a daily basis. Some pay the ultimate price. Others return, changed for ever.’

      Changed for ever. The words reverberated in his skull. Lissa had changed him. For the better. She’d shown him a different view of the world. One he liked. One he wanted. He rubbed a fist over his chest. Something was shifting inside him.

      ‘So we want to champion the very worthy and valuable charity, ‘Support our Diggers’. Make sure you see our charity diva, Gilda, and donate as much as you can before you leave.

      ‘There’s someone else, someone special, I want to acknowledge. Blake Everett. Most of you will remember Blake’s mother, Rochelle, who worked tirelessly for charity from Surfers to the Sunshine Coast. Blake’s the man responsible for making this dream of mine happen.’

      Blake barely heard the resounding applause over the roaring in his ears.

       I’ve been waiting my whole life for you.

      He didn’t know what to do with the feelings crashing around him. He’d heard her tell Jared what they had was a fling. A wild, crazy no-strings affair with no unrealistic expectations.

      He needed to get outside, breathe some fresh air and think, because maybe this was the most important question he was ever going to ask himself, but before he could make his getaway a hand clapped his shoulder. ‘Long time, no see, my friend.’

      Blake turned at the voice and curbed his impatience. Jared’s eyes pierced his as Blake extended a hand. ‘Jared. It’s good to see you.’

      Jared nodded. ‘Thanks for your phone call. It was reassuring to know Liss really wanted me here that badly.’

      ‘You mean the world to her. Even if she doesn’t always show it.’

      ‘Same goes.’ Jared cleared his throat. ‘I want to thank you for helping her out with the boat.’

      ‘Not a problem.’

      ‘And with the business. I’d have helped but she’s got that stubborn streak a mile wide.’

      Blake felt a smile tug at his mouth. ‘Believe me, I’ve seen it.’

      She was also loyal and caring and all-the-way committed to making this venture a success, something he’d not been sure about at the start.

      He looked about him, at the amazing job she’d done in transforming the building in such a short time. ‘She’s got talent and a good opportunity here. She’ll do well.’

      When he looked back, Big Brother was still watching him. ‘So, what are your plans now?’

      Blake heard the question behind the casual tone. And Lissa’s words to Jared: He’ll be gone before you know it. ‘I’ve negotiated the price on a sailing yacht. Thought I’d sail north first and check out the Barrier Reef and the islands up there. Take in some diving. Recreational for a change.’ He heard himself reciting the words as if from a dry school text. Why didn’t he sound more enthusiastic? He’d been thinking about this for over a year, planning it for weeks.

      ‘And the business?’

      Lissa had always known how it would play. They’d both known. ‘If she needs some advice and I’m out of contact—’

      ‘She’ll be just fine.’ Jared watched him. ‘She’s got her family’s support.’

      Family. Yes, Lissa needed family. A house and a husband all the way committed. To settling down, raising her own kids.

      ‘Blake …’ A female of indeterminate age excused herself for interrupting but she’d known his mother.

      Jared left them at some point and Blake was caught up with guests, then Gilda took the mike and proposed a toast. And everyone looked towards the spiral staircase where Lissa stood halfway up with a huge pair of gold scissors with purple foil streamers dangling from them. She cut a ribbon and a rainbow of balloons and foil confetti drifted down from the ceiling.

      Cameras flashed, glasses clinked. Everyone cheered and clapped. Except Blake. Forget Helen of Troy, he thought as he watched her. Lissa’s smile could launch a thousand ships ten times over.

      As the metallic confetti swirled down around her, she locked eyes with him and it was like being sucked into a whirlpool of wants and needs and hopes, his or hers, he didn’t know whose—just that they pulled him in a direction he’d never had any intention of going.

      And all he knew was that he wanted to follow wherever it led. As she descended the steps he made his way towards her, his heart thumping like a piston in his chest. He didn’t want to be a silent partner. He wanted a full partnership. So he didn’t know much about interior decorating but he could learn, couldn’t he? They could learn together. She could be the creative genius and he’d. They’d figure something out. But first he had to know how she felt. How she really felt about the two of them. Together.

      She waved and headed straight for him, her smile glowing. ‘I’ve got such exciting news.’ She grabbed his arm. ‘I’ll tell you on the way. there’s a party at Brandy’s house and.’ She trailed off, her brow creasing. ‘You haven’t got a headache, have you? You look pale …’

      ‘I’m fine, in fact I—’

      ‘So you’ll come? Please, please, Blake, I want you there with me.’

      ‘I need to talk to you first.’

      ‘What about?’

      ‘Not here.’ He gestured with his chin. ‘Outside.’ Without waiting for a response, he took her elbow, and guided her past the crowd and out to the footpath. The sea air laden with the aromas of Asian stir fry and warm bitumen met them. He turned her towards him. ‘Lissa, I—’

      ‘Can it wait?’ She all but jiggled on the spot, her beautiful face brimming with delight, clear eyes sparkling. ‘The party’s for—’

      ‘This is important.’ He grasped her upper arms, suddenly desperate.

      ‘So is my career. Didn’t you say to focus on my career first? Okay, I can’t wait, I’ll just have to spill it now.’ She clasped her hands together beneath her chin, her eyes sparking with life and energy, bits of foil glinting in her hair. ‘Maddie Jenkins wants in on the business as a full partner! You wouldn’t be aware but she’s got interior design shops all the way down the coast from Cairns to Brisbane and she wants Lissa’s to be a part of it.’

      Inside, Blake turned to stone. He loosened his hold. Who the hell was Maddie Jenkins? ‘You haven’t discussed it with me.’ His lips felt numb; he felt as if someone else were pushing out the cool, clipped words. ‘It’s good manners to discuss any changes with your current partner first, don’t you think?’

      She stilled. ‘Oh, Blake. I should have, I’m sorry. But it just happened moments ago.’

      Her smile faded and the sparks in her eyes changed and he hated himself for being the cause but he couldn’t find it in him to accept her apology.

      When he didn’t respond, she continued, ‘You and I … we agreed it was a temporary arrangement until I found another interested party. Maddie’s got years of experience and contacts all over the country. It’ll still be Lissa’s Interior Designs but this arrangement is just. so perfect. For me. and for you.’

      Her eyes changed again, shadows stealing the light, but they remained level on his. ‘You never really wanted to be involved in an interior design business. You only did it to help me out, we both know that. Because you knew I wouldn’t accept charity. But you believed in me and I’ll never forget it.’

      He tightened his jaw. She was right, all the way right. ‘You’ve got it all figured out.’

      ‘It