Sunrise in Bali - Across the Pond Trilogy (Book 1) Read Online Free

one hand and a pack of matches
in the other. Jenny was struck by his assertiveness, his calm
demeanor, and his confidence. Confidence, not arrogance, Jenny
realized... confidence.

    “ So
how are you finding the tour so far,” Jenny asked as the waiter
brought over their wine and laid it down in front of them.

    “ Excellent,
and you?”

    “ It's
great, just what I needed right now, certainly makes a break from New
York life.”

    “ I
would have thought New York life would be quite exciting,”
responded Henry quickly, enquiringly.

    “ Well,
yes, and no,” she said, dropping her voice. “I guess when you're
so used to somewhere it's not that exciting anymore.”

    “ I
suppose I know what you mean. The grass is always greener on the
other side, as they say. I'm sure when you get back from this trip
you'll perhaps feel differently.”

    Henry
spoke those words carefully, knowingly. It was as if he knew what she
was talking about, that she was escaping a break-up; mending a broken
heart. He looked at her and continued: “So how long are you here
for? Is it just the tour, or are you going anywhere after?”

    “ Well,
we have a week in Seminyak after the tour ends before we have to
catch our flight. Do you know it?”

    “ Yes
I do as it happens. Mark and I were staying in Kuta last week, and
it's just down the road, all part of the same coastline. It's very
different from what we've had on this tour so far. Full of bars and
nightlife – it's where all the Aussies flock to for their summer
holidays.”

    Jenny
responded that she was looking for an authentic experience, but that
a little extra fun might be good at the end of the tour. “And you,
are you staying on after the tour?” Her question was hopeful.

    “ Not
really. We have a day or two when the tour ends but have a scheduled
flight to Singapore to catch. All part of our round the world
ticket.”

    Jenny's
heart didn't quite sink, but it certainly dropped a little. “Well,
hopefully we'll be able to get to know each other a little better
before you have to leave,” she said, the words springing from her
mouth unexpectedly. She blushed, and took a sip of wine.

    “ I
certainly hope so,” said Henry, looking straight at her. “I think
we'll get along well.” They both smiled at each other.

    They
continued to chat for a little while, seeing Mark and Sarah pass by
and head off into their own rooms, both of whom offered surreptitious
glances to their friends as they went. Jenny spoke about her life at
college, her degree in medicine, and her family. Henry reiterated her
sentiments about parents – both had experienced broken marriages –
and described his love of sport, passion for animals, and ambitions
to be a writer. He wasn't as she'd expected, and nothing like the
“jock” types she'd seen so much of back home. He was more mature,
seemingly less inhibited by expectation and social pressure. Whether
he was like this where he lived she didn't know, but she did know one
thing – she wanted to know more; she wanted to spend more time with
him.

    As
midnight approached, Jenny glanced at the clock hanging up over the
bar. She didn't want to go to bed, but felt she must. Henry noticed
her concern, and quickly pointed out that they should probably call
it a night. The way he said it, and Jenny's expression when she heard
it, showed both their desires were to the contrary.

    They
stood up and felt an immediate chill in the air, a cool breeze
brushing over them from the lake. A light fog was beginning to
settle, creating a beautiful glow over the water from the light of
the moon. They stood there together for a moment in silence, gazing
out over the water and mountains beyond, thousands of stars sparkling
in the distant skies. “It really is beautiful isn't it,” Jenny
said.

    “ Yes....beautiful,”
replied Henry, turning to look in Jenny's deep green eyes as he did.

    With
that, they turned together and walked back to their