‘Well, I’ve told him that unless he stops asking, I’m not marrying him at all. I want him to respect my decisions. Otherwise, it doesn’t bode well for our future. You forget, I’ve been here before. Done this before. So, for now, the wedding is off.’ Gabi reached over and squeezed her shoulder. Whatever Isabella’s decision, she would support it. Isabella blew her a kiss.
‘How was Walker?’ Amber said, changing tack.
‘Don’t ask,’ Gabi said, shaking her head in frustration.
‘That bad?’
‘Worse. He practically dumped me and we’re not even boyfriend and girlfriend,’ Gabi glanced down at Jayden who was intent on his game. ‘Told me he doesn’t want to hook up with women who can’t connect.’
‘Ouch.’ Isabella sat back in her chair.
‘Wow.’ Amber blew out her cheeks.
‘Honestly, I now can’t wait to get home.’
Home. It gleamed in her brain like a shiny pin. Everything would be exactly where she’d left it, there would be quiet and calm. Which was the opposite to Amber’s multi-coloured house where chaos ruled, and clutter was the norm. Teabags lived in the same cupboard as colouring pens. Drawers bulged with plastic bags and school lunchboxes. She was always flicking Jayden’s shoes out of the way with her crutch, and Amber’s bra often hung from the banister where she’d thrown it after getting home from work.
‘Maybe he really likes you,’ Isabella said, leaning in.
‘How do you figure that?’
‘Well, he’s never made me a tray before,’ Amber said as if that proved everything.
‘You haven’t got a broken leg,’ Gabi shot back.
Amber screwed her face up. ‘Good point, well made.’
‘He just sees me as someone who needs help. So, he’s doing what he always does– coming to the rescue.’
Isabella’s face softened. ‘Well, that’s nice in itself—’ she started but Gabi cut in.
‘He had to catch me when he thought I was falling. He has to make me a tray when he thinks I can’t carry a cup. He has to swoop in. It’s probably in his nature. That’s why he’s good at his job. He loves to be the hero.’ Gabi sighed. ‘But he’s got me wrong. I don’t need help. I’m perfectly all right on my own.’
‘Seriously, though, don’t you think he’s hot?’ Amber persisted. ‘I honestly thought you’d make a beautiful couple.’
Gabi sipped her wine, remembering the feel of his body on hers. The light in those hazel eyes. The way he said her name.
‘Okaaaaay,’ she nodded. ‘He’s hot.’
‘That we can agree on,’ Amber said, raising her glass, and everyone cheersed.
‘But if he wants something more serious than Gabi does, it’s not going to work, is it?’ Isabella said.
‘Exactly!’ Gabi agreed. ‘It was never meant to be anything more than a holiday fling. I’m out of here in a month and I’ll have nice uncomplicated sex with someone on set called Aaron or Scott. And they’ll not care if I don’t sleep over. They’ll be happy to not have to make it more than it is.’
‘If that’s the way you want it, you go ahead, girl,’ Amber said.
‘You’ve always done your own thing,’ Isabella agreed.
Gabi nodded decisively. ‘Right. And I have more important things to be focused on right now. Like getting this leg back to full strength.’ She raised her glass again and took a sip.
‘What about Alex?’ she asked Amber. ‘Any updates?’
‘He rang a thousand times to say he was sorry if the song had upset me. That he’d like to meet and talk about it.’
‘Maybe you should?’ Gabi said but Amber put a hand in the air.
‘Nope. Been there, done that.’
