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But Jake—Jake was different. Intense and focused and completely consuming. When he looked at her, she felt seen in a way she’d never experienced. When he praised her work, she believed it. When he touched her hand accidentally whilst reviewing plans, electricity shot through her entire body.

Was that real? Or was she simply inexperienced and overwhelmed by someone who knew exactly how to make a woman feel special?

Jill’s questions echoed: What happens when the project ends? What are his actual intentions? Is this just a worksite fling for him?

Amelia didn’t have answers. And that uncertainty sat uncomfortably in her chest.

‘You still awake?’ Sophie whispered from her sleeping bag.

‘Yeah.’

‘We didn’t mean to worry you,’ Sophie said. ‘Just—be careful, okay? Guard your heart a little bit. Don’t give everything away before you’re sure he’s worth it.’

‘How do you know if someone’s worth it?’ Amelia asked.

Sophie was quiet for a moment. ‘I think you watch what they do when things get hard. When it’s not convenient or easy, or fun. Do they stay? Do they show up? Do they choose you even when it’s complicated?’

‘That’s wise,’ Amelia said.

‘I’ve made enough mistakes to learn a few things,’ Sophie said wryly. ‘Now get some sleep. Saturday’s going to be intense, and you need to look gorgeous so Jake makes a complete fool of himself over you in public.’

‘That’s the plan?’ Amelia asked, laughing despite everything.

‘That’s always the plan,’ Sophie confirmed. ‘Make them utterly besotted whilst we watch carefully to make sure they’re worthy. Standard best friend protocol.’

‘I love you both,’ Amelia said.

‘Love you too,’ Sophie said. ‘Now, seriously, go to sleep. I can hear you overthinking from here.’

Amelia closed her eyes, but her mind kept spinning. Jill and Sophie’s concerns were valid. She needed to be more observant, more cautious, less willing to throw herself headlong into feelings without examining them first.

But even as she thought it, she knew the truth: it was already too late for caution. She was already falling in love. The only question was whether Jake was falling too, or if she was plummeting alone towards inevitable heartbreak.

Saturday would tell her something. How he acted at the party, how he introduced her, whether he stayed close or drifted away. She’d watch. She’d be careful.

But she also knew that no amount of caution could protect her heart now.

She was already in too deep.

Chapter Nine

Saturday arrived with perfect outback winter weather—clear skies, mild temperatures, the promise of a beautiful evening ahead.

The worksite was chaotic with preparation. Half the crew had driven to Emerald the day before for “proper” clothes, returning with various interpretations of “outback formal”. Davo had bought a pearl-snap shirt that made him look like a country music star. Bluey had found a leather vest. Bec had found a gorgeous embroidered shirt at the op shop in Emerald.

‘This is ridiculous,’ Ratty said, struggling with a collar. ‘It’s a pub party, not a wedding.’

‘It’s tradition,’ Bec corrected. ‘You dress up, you make an effort, you show respect for the event. That’s how outback social season works.’

‘Plus,’ Davo added with a grin, ‘the ladies appreciate it when you clean up nice.’

By six o’clock, the camp looked like a backstage area before a performance. People showering in shifts at the amenities block, sharing mirrors, borrowing clothes, helping each other look presentable.

Amelia stood in front of the van’s small mirror, trying to do something with her hair. Three weeks of outside work hadn’t been kind to it—sun-bleached, wind-tangled, perpetually dusty. But she’d washed it properly, managed to coax it into soft waves, and even put on some makeup.

The dress had been Sassy’s contribution. ‘You can’t go to meet and mingle in work clothes,’ she’d insisted, producing a simple but beautiful sundress in deep blue. ‘It was mine twenty years ago. Should fit you perfectly.’

It did. Amelia barely recognised herself—not the backpacker, not the construction worker, just a young woman going to a dance. And she had beautiful sandals to wear, thanks to her organised packing of Vera.