“Oh, God. Mine too,” Harry said. “And a fridge magnet or postcard won’t cut it.”
“Exactly!” Evan’s dimple flashed.
“It looks like you two are as bad as each other,” Amber said with a chuckle. “Maybe you should accompany each other to the markets?” She released Evan’s arm and turned to John. “Looks like you and I will have to stick together, John.” She didn’t give him a choice, just grabbed his arm and started along the footpath, talking a million miles a minute. John glanced over his shoulder, and Harry shrugged. He held back a chuckle as John refocused back on Amber, obviously resigned to his fate.
“Ah, she’s worth her weight in gold,” Evan said.
“I couldn’t agree more.” Harry’s smile was wide as he stuffed his map back into his backpack and he and Evan fell in beside each other, following in Amber and John’s wake. “I just hope she knows where she’s going.”
“Oh c’mon, where’s your sense of adventure?” Evan nudged him with his elbow.
“Hey! I’ve got a great sense of adventure!”
“Oh yeah? Do tell.”
“Well, there was this one time when I was on safari in Africa—”
Evan burst into laughter, the sound spreading warmth in Harry’s chest, especially when the laughter continued as they shared ridiculous stories all the way to the markets.
The Municipal Markets were huge; there were hundreds of stalls spread over two levels, and the whole place was bustling. Everything was colourful, from the people to the goods on display, and some locals were playing music on stringed instruments, lending a festival air. There were countless vendors selling fresh food, everything from exotic fruits to freshly caught seafood.
“Oh God,” Harry said, spinning around. “I have no idea where to start.”
“Well, I do.” Amber, still holding John by the arm, dragged him away. “Look at all these beautiful flowers…”
Her voice drifted away, leaving Evan and Harry alone again.
“She’sdefinitelyworth her weight in gold. I owe that girl a drink,” Evan said.
Harry couldn’t help but agree. “Make it a double.”
* * *
Evan didn’t really carewhat they did at the markets. Sure, he wanted to pick up a few souvenirs, but one glance around told him he’d have no trouble finding something in a heartbeat. What hedidwant to do, was make the most of spending time with Harry.
“Let’s wander over that way.” He pointed away from the fresh foods they were surrounded by to a section that seemed more in line with what they wanted to look at.
The two of them wandered around, bypassing some stalls and taking their time at others. There were all manner of local products and handicrafts.
“Aren’t these fun?” Harry said, looking at a display of beautiful fabrics.
They stopped in front of the stall that had a vast number of sarongs on display. “They sure are colourful,” Evan agreed. “You know, they’re called pareu in this part of the Pacific.”
“Really? Cool. I think my sister would love one.”
“Do you have more siblings?” Evan asked.
“Yep,” Harry said, taking down one of the pareu from where it was hung on the wall and taking a closer look. “I have another sister too. I’ll look for a bracelet or something like that for her, as that’s more her scene.”
“Are they older or younger?”
“Both younger. They’re actually my half-sisters. My mum and dad got divorced, and a couple of years later Dad remarried and had Felicity and Alex with his new wife.” Harry replaced the fabric and picked up another, this time a pareu with a bright floral design. “What do you think of this one?” he asked, holding it out.
“Well, I don’t know your sister, but if she likes to stand out, then that one’s a winner.”
Harry chuckled. “Yeah, Felicity is the show-off in the family and likes to stir things up. Alex is more reserved. She likes to sit back and take things in, not rock the boat.”
That sounded an awful lot like Harry in Evan’s opinion. “You sound close.”
