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Disclaimer: still own nothing

Thanks to my beta reader :)

Previously on MTA

"Claire, I've known you since you were little. I know almost everything about you, and I can definitely sense if something is wrong with you."

Claire sighed, knowing that she couldn't leave the kitchen without at least saying something to Meg, so she turned around and sat back down.

She took a deep breath "I would like to tell you Meg, but first I have to get through this problem by myself. I hope you understand."

Meg was a little disappointed that Claire wouldn't tell her more, but she understood her.

Meg nodded "Of course I do, don't worry."

Both smiled a knowing smile and Claire left the kitchen.

Part 4

Alex parked his Ute just as he saw Claire leaving the house. He wanted nothing more than to go and talk to her, and ask her what was wrong. But considering this stupid feeling that Claire's bad mood had something to do with him, he decided to find Tess instead. Maybe Claire mentioned something to her in the meantime.

Tess was feeding the Alpacas when Alex approached her.

"G'day." He smiled lifting his hat for a short moment.

"Hey Alex." Tess replied, immediately thinking of what Claire had told her last night.

"So... how are things going?" Alex asked, trying to start with a little chit-chat. The serious talk would follow soon enough.

"Good, good, everything's fine." Tess continued feeding the animals.

Alex didn't know how to ask Tess about Claire without making her notice his feelings so he looked at the ground and started to think about what to say next.

Tess looked at Alex, noticing his strange behaviour. Maybe Claire was right after all. Oh my god, Alex loves me. She thought. What am I going to do now? I don't want to hurt his feelings.

Tess´ mind worked on overtime trying to figure out what to do and what to say.

"I… I wanted to ask you something." Alex started looking up at Tess who was looking at him now.

Shit. He is going to ask me out. Tess yelled inside of her head and before she could even think about it, her mouth opened to speak

"Listen Alex, I really do like you. You're a good mate, and really good looking might I add, but you know it didn't work between the two of us the last time…" Tess stopped when she saw Alex face filled with confusion.

"What are you talking about?" Alex asked feeling like and idiot who missed something really important.

"You just wanted to ask me out, didn't you?"

Alex started to laugh

"Why the hell would you think that Tess?"

"Claire told me" Tess answered shortly, not really amused about Alex's laughter in her direction.

"Claire told you that I wanted to go out with you?" Now that information definitely got Alex's interest.

"Not exactly, but she told me that you…" Tess stopped, not wanting to reveal what her sister told her.

"That I am what?" Alex continued to ask

Tess sighed, rolling her eyes. Somehow she had the feeling that all of this was all a big fat misunderstanding.

"She told me that you are in love with me and wanted to get back together."

Alex laughter went silent. He couldn't believe what he just heard. Why on earth would Claire think something like that?

"I am not in love with you Tess." He finally confessed.

"No? So why did my sister tell me that you are, Alex? Apart from that, she also told me that you told her that. If I hurt your feelings with my rejection and you're just trying to deny your feelings because you feel embarrassed…"

"Tess, stop. I certainly do not love you. I´m bloody sure about this."

"How can you be so sure?" Tess asked, cocking an eyebrow wanting to know what was going on. She didn't mind that he wasn't in love with her, in fact she was relieved, but there seemed to be more to this story and she wanted to find out.

"Because I am in love with your …." He stopped when he realized what he was about to say.

"Tess´s mouth hung wide open.

"You are in love with my… Sister?" she asked, with a hint of excitement in her voice.

Alex growled, wanted to kick himself for blurring that out.

"So...?" Tess nudged him.

"Damn it Tess. Yes… YES! I am in love with Claire. Happy now?"

"You can't imagine." Tess replied, smiling from ear to ear.

"Sure... whatever... keep smiling... you're not the one getting your heart ripped out!"

Tess' smile faded

"I don't understand… why don't you tell her?"

Alex grumbled. "I am in love with your sister... but she will never return my feelings."

"How can you be so sure about this?"

"Because I know Claire, we are mates. We have been mates for over 15 years, and she will never see me as more than just her best friend."

"Well, it took you long enough to realize your feelings towards my sister, maybe Claire feels the same."

"Yeah, when hell freezes over."

Tess thought about all of this. She wasn't really sure if Claire was in love with Alex, but at least this would explain her acting weird towards her for the past few days. There was just one way to find out. Tess needed to talk to Claire. She might not confess her feelings for Alex right away, but if there would be just the slightest sign that Claire was also in love with Alex, she'd do everything possible to get those two dickheads together.

"I have to go." Alex told Tess. It didn't matter that he hadn't had the chance to ask Tess about Claire's strange behaviour, after his confession he wanted nothing more than to leave Drovers.

"Sure… uhm drive safe." Tess didn't know what to say. She'd never seen Alex like this. He really was in love with Claire. His eyes told her. Tess just couldn't believe it. Alex Ryan... in love… Normally Alex really wasn't the guy to stick with one woman, but she was sure that he was ment to be with Claire. Those two belonged together.

Now it was her turn to convince her sister, if she wasn't convinced already. She had to make a plan.

Alex was still embarrassed. He waved at Tess, quickened his pace, and left.

TBC

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