‘To Gabi!’ Wren and Rosie lifted their glasses, although they both seemed to be drinking milk for some reason. ‘For teaching Riley that women can be strong and fearless.’ To demonstrate the fact, Riley cartwheeled across the garden three times before bowing.
Gabi’s eyes pricked with the start of fresh tears, and she blinked them away.
Jayden stepped forward and Gabi suddenly thought she might have to borrow Etienne’s wet hanky too. He made direct eye contact with her and held his two hands connected in front of his chest and shook them once. She knew that one. Friends. She nodded and signed back. Always. He grinned and dashed forward to hug her. Gabi held his narrow shoulders against her and glanced at Amber over Jayden’s head, and her eyes were now full of tears too.
‘No more!’ she half laughed, half cried. ‘I can’t take any more! This is meant to be fun!’
Everyone shouted cheers or good luck and clinked glasses and drank to her health, apart from the kids who threw shots of lemonade down their throats like tequila.
‘I should have done a toast too,’ Walker said into her ear. ‘To Gabi, for sliding down my pole?’ She laughed.
‘Truthfully,’ he said, ‘I’m so happy I met you, Gabi. Of all the poles in all the places, I’m glad you chose to stupidly slide down mine.’ She laughed as he pulled her closer, tilting her face up to him.
‘Honestly, I’d do it all again,’ she said. ‘It’s been so good spending time with you.’
He hesitated a moment and his expression became serious, before saying urgently, ‘I don’t want to just be a holiday romance. I want us to be more than that, Gabi.’ His eyes burned into hers; his arms tightened around her waist. ‘I wish you could stay.’
She jolted, conflicting emotions rushing through her. Hope, anticipation, regret, sadness. She dropped her eyes, unable to sustain the intensity of his gaze.
‘You know that’s impossible,’ she said and it came out harsher than she meant it to. She glanced upwards and he blinked.
‘I’m just trying to find a way for this not to be the end. We could make a real go of things if you were staying in Honeybridge.’
Gabi shook her head in disbelief.
‘Or if you were in America maybe!’ she exclaimed.
‘You know my job is here,’ he said, holding his palms to the sky.
‘And mine is there,’ Gabi shot back. She sighed in exasperation and they eyed each other in an uneasy stand-off. ‘Why did you have to say that and spoil things? I don’t want to leave on a bad note.’
‘I had to say it,’ he said with a shrug, letting his hands fall to his sides. ‘I wanted to be honest. I’m falling for you so hard, Gabi. I can’t bear to lose you.’
Gabi knew her mouth was open and snapped it shut.
‘I’m sorry,’ she stammered. ‘I never meant to hurt you.’
Walker closed his eyes and a small nerve in his jaw ticked. She reached for his hands but they hung in hers. Guilt and tears blocked her throat. He opened his eyes and she hated herself for the hurt she saw in them.
‘I know,’ he said finally. ‘You can’t help it if your feelings aren’t the same.’ He forced a smile but she could feel him already backing away, protecting himself.
Someone chimed a fork against a glass for attention and Walker stepped away from her, focusing instead on Rosie on the patio, waiting for silence. Gabi felt bereft, even though Walker was only a foot away.
‘Ahem,’ Rosie said theatrically and everyone stilled. Toby edged towards her, and she put a hand out to him, pulling him beside her and Wren. Riley ran to them all and Toby hoisted her onto his shoulders. When everyone was settled, Rosie said, ‘While we are all together, it’s the perfect time to share our news. Toby, Wren, Riley and I went to the hospital yesterday and we’re pleased to announce that Wren is officially pregnant!’
Wren automatically patted her stomach, which still looked pretty flat, although Gabi thought maybe she could see the hint of a curve.
‘I wondered why you were drinking milk!’ Isabella said.
‘I have terrible heartburn and it helps.’ Wren rolled her eyes.
‘And I’m her sister in solidarity,’ Rosie said, holding Wren’s hand. ‘I remember only too well what it’s like being the only sober person at a party.’
‘And we have our due date confirmed,’ Wren said, biting her lip in excitement. ‘And it’s early January!
‘Oh my God!’ Amber shouted.
‘It’s so exciting!’ Isabella said.
