Her Soldier Protector. Сорейя Лейн

can’t complain. Especially since I’m back for good now.”

      Jimmy walked them through the restaurant and waved toward an alfresco table, complete with low candles on the table and a view out over the water. Even though it was dark, the water was twinkling under the lights from all the restaurants and the luxury yachts moored nearby. The night air was warm, slightly muggy still after the hot day.

      “Do you even need these?” Jimmy asked with a grin, gesturing at the menus.

      Logan grinned straight back at him, pulling out a seat for Candace. Jimmy obviously knew exactly who she was—maybe he was just too starstruck to remember his manners, or his job.

      “Let’s start with two buckets of prawns and sourdough bread, then Morton Bay bugs for two, and maybe a Caesar salad.”

      Jimmy was nodding, but he was also spending most of his time glancing at Candace, who was looking out at the water, her body turned away from them.

      Logan leaned in closer to his childhood friend, giving him a playful whack across the back of the head.

      “Don’t you breathe a word of this to anyone until we’re gone. No tipping the media off, no telling your girlfriend.”

      Jimmy made a face like his head hurt, but he was still grinning. “Can I at least get an autograph before you leave?”

      “Keep everyone else away from us and I’ll make sure you get one. Deal?”

      Jimmy’s smile grew wider. “And a big tip, too, right?”

      “You do know I have a dog that could eat you in a few mouthfuls, don’t you?” Logan said in a low voice, smiling as Candace turned to face them.

      Jimmy just laughed. “I’ll get your order in and bring you some drinks. Champagne?”

      Logan sat down and glanced at Candace. “Bubbly or beer?”

      She made a thoughtful face before one side of her mouth tilted up into a smile. “Let’s have a beer. Why not?”

      Logan didn’t let the surprise show on his face, even though he’d never have picked her choosing beer over champagne in a million years. “You heard the lady. Two beers, bottles not glasses.”

      Jimmy shook his head and walked off, leaving Logan to burst out laughing. Candace seemed to be finding the entire thing as hilarious as he was.

      “He knew who I was the moment we walked in, didn’t he?” she asked in a soft voice, like she wasn’t in the least bit surprised.

      Logan wasn’t going to lie to her. “Yeah, he did. But there’s no way he’s going to make a fuss or say anything, okay?”

      She nodded. “So you don’t think it’ll be in the papers that I was spotted out with a mystery man, knocking back beers? Knowing the paps, they’ll probably say I was out of control and ready for rehab.”

      “You missed the part about us digging into two massive buckets filled with prawns, that we’ll be eating with our fingers like barbarians instead of fine dining.”

      Candace dipped her head when she laughed, looking up at him like she wasn’t entirely sure whether he was ever being serious or always joking. “And here I was thinking you’d brought me to a classy restaurant.”

      “Believe me, nothing in the world is better than fresh seafood eaten with your fingers, washed down by an ice-cold beer. We don’t need five forks and silver service to eat incredible food.”

      “Well, I’ll have to reserve judgment until I’ve experienced it, but I’m guessing you’re probably right.”

      He leaned back in his chair. “See the beautiful super yachts out there?”

      She nodded, following his gaze.

      “When you come here earlier in the evening, there are waiters running back and forth from the restaurant to the boats, carrying silver trays of seafood and champagne. It’s crazy, but a lot of fun to watch.”

      “I was right going with my gut feeling on promoting Australia to the world,” she said with a laugh. “Next time I’m ready for a vacation, I’m heading straight back here.”