She continues, ‘The property developing and project management are what keep me really busy, though. You know Nathan’s parents ran a property development business together before they died?’
‘I don’t think I did know that.’
She smiles. ‘Well, they did. And I know Nathan loves that we’re doing the same thing.’ She glances inside again. ‘It’s Saturday night, boys,’ she calls.
‘Just finishing up,’ comes Nathan’s reply.
Moments later they join us on the terrace. Richard squeezes my shoulder. ‘Are you girls hungry?’
‘Starving,’ Lucy says. ‘Shall we walk into town and see what we fancy?’
After a dinner spent laughing our heads off at Nathan and Lucy’s crap jokes and getting increasingly tipsy, we zigzag our way to a bar on the waterfront. We manage to snag a table outside on the deck under large white umbrellas, and Richard and Nathan go inside to fetch the drinks. Lucy’s eyes narrow as she studies a group of girls sitting at the next table.
‘Do you know them?’ I ask.
‘I think I recognise that blonde one there, but I can’t think where to place her.’
I take a surreptitious look over my shoulder to see a pretty girl with mid-length, tousled hair laughing at something one of her friends has said. Then she glances towards the inside entrance and her smile vanishes.
‘Rich?Rich?’ She recovers from her shocked expression.
I whip my head around to see Richard emerging from inside with two drinks. Nathan follows right behind him.
‘Ally?’ Richard asks, his brow furrowing.
Shit.
‘Itisyou!’ Ally beams and gets to her feet, rushing over to my distinctly uncomfortable-looking boyfriend.
‘Hi!’ he exclaims, throwing me an awkward smile before turning his attention back to Ally. He lifts up the drinks in his hands to indicate he can’t give her a hug.
‘I knew I recognised her,’ Lucy murmurs.
‘Hey, Ally!’ Nathan appears from behind Richard. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I’ve just rented a flat up the road.’
‘You live in Manly?’
‘Yeah!’
This is getting better and better.
‘When did you get back from the UK?’ Nathan asks.
‘A couple of weeks ago. Settling in again, you know.’
‘Hey, come and meet Lily,’ Richard interrupts, indicating me with his beer glass.
Ally turns to look my way and somehow manages to keep a smile on her face. I try to show her the same courtesy.
‘Cool.’ She follows Richard.
‘Lily, this is Ally.’ I can tell Richard is trying to act normal, but it’s obvious to me he finds this situation pretty excruciating.
‘Hello.’ I smile up at her.
‘Hi.’ She reaches down to shake my hand. ‘So you guys are engaged?’
