She places a hand on my arm and squeezes.“I’m really happy for both of you.”
We chat for the remainder of the drive, and she’ll let me know when to pick her up or if Courtney will drop her off.
Enjoying the quiet drive back to Rayna’s, going the longer, scenic route.Appreciating the placid Christmas Eve traffic and letting my thoughts get away from me.I meander my way back to my house and decide to pop in and see what I might need to pick up and take over to Rayna’s.
Reaching the house, I’m surprised to hear power tools and music going.Knocking loudly so I don’t startle anyone, I hear Liam call out.“Come in!”And the sound of weighty machinery being placed on the ground.
“Koby!Wasn’t expecting you,” He beams around his dark brown hair, wide smile and bright green eyes.
“I could say the same about you, mate.It’s Christmas Eve.Don’t you have plans?”
“Nah, my mum and older brother are over in Germany with his girlfriend.I might as well keep going here and get you back here as soon as I can.”
“On your own?”
“Yeah, I gave everyone two weeks off over Christmas and New Year.”
“I’m sure they appreciate it.”
“When they straggle behind to make sure I can handle the work on my own, I know I’ve done something right.”
“Absolutely.Do you have any plans for tomorrow?”
“Honestly, either back here or lying by the beach.”
“Well, I am sure Rayna would insist that you have an open invite to Rayna’s for lunch if you’d like to hang out with people.Rayna has a great pool and a big spread organised.We’d love to have you there.”
“Thanks.I really appreciate it, and I’ll honestly keep it in mind.”
I nod and pat his shoulder.“Now what are you up to that couldn’t wait until the new year?Did you need a hand with anything?”
He takes me through what he has been up to.It’s impressive what he has been able to achieve on his own.He surprises me.While he looks like your typical surfer, you could easily discount him and stereotype him as a slacker or a flake.But he has great attention to detail, stellar ethics, and a positive attitude.
He gets me to help him with a few areas that need an extra pair of hands to hold things in place but then shoos me off.To which I reply that I also want him to knock off and enjoy some quiet time.Which I am happy he listens and leaves with me.
Driving back to Rayna’s, I’m both joyful and sullen.All I want to do is embrace her when I enter the house, but I’ll have to play it cool and pretend we are just friends.
Entering the house to a burst of voices and music as I open the front door, I hear the radiant laughter of Rayna and know that her heart is full right now.She has missed this.
I greet everyone before heading to the kitchen for a drink.
Rayna comes over and stays a respectable distance from me, and it kills me.I wish I could reach out and take her hand.
“Everything okay?”
“Absolutely.I popped by the house to see if I needed anything, and Liam was there, working on his own.Hope you don’t mind, but I offered an invite here tomorrow as he doesn’t have any family here to spend it with tomorrow.”
“Yes, of course.I’m going to message him right now and insist he come.”She pulls her phone out of her pocket and starts typing away.
“I told him you’d insist,” I tease, at which she playfully slaps my arm.
“Okay.I messaged him.I hope he comes, so he isn’t alone for the holiday.”
“I’m sure he will.Joey and Mack also called on my way back here.Their flight has been cancelled because of a new cyclone warning, so they’ll stay put but send their apologies.’
“Fingers crossed it doesn’t hit land.”
Nodding, I notice two glasses on the bench.I raise a glass to offer her.“Refill?”She takes it and her fingers linger on mine as her eyes stay locked with mine.Electricity passing through.Compelling our eyes to lock.
