“You’re all right,” she says, in an Australian accent. Then she pauses. “Jade?”
“Uh, yeah? Sorry, do I know you?”
“Oh god. Sorry.” The brunette seems to realise we’re still blocking the doorway and steps back so I can come inside. There’s a room with a sofa and mirrors, soft lighting, then stalls in another room beyond.
“I’m sorry,” she says again. “I don’t know you. I mean, I know who you are. And that’s why I said your name.” She giggles, then, her deep blue eyes lighting up. She’s utterly charming and I grin, unable to help myself.
“I’m Claire,” she continues, holding out her hand. “My partner… He’s a surfer, and he always teases me because I know almost nothing about surfing. Which is why I was stoked to recognise you.”
I take her hand. “I’m Jade. But you already know that.” We both laugh. Then horror strikes through me. “Who’s your partner? “
Please don’t let it be Zach.
“It’s Bryce. Bryce Maylands. Do you know him?”
My shoulders sag with relief. “Bryce? Yeah. He’s awesome. Won the last Bells comp, didn’t he? And you must betheClaire.”
“He did!” Claire almost squeals with excitement. “And I am! But… how do you know who I am?”
“I’ve seen the work you and Bryce are doing with the foundation,” I say. “I was hoping I’d get to meet you tonight, as well as catch up with Bryce. He’s an old friend.”
“He’s waiting in the foyer for me,” Claire says. “Come out with me and say hello. Oh, unless you need to…” She jerks her head towards the stalls.
“No. I just came in for… I just needed a moment.” I’m feeling more relaxed already. And I really should get back out there. Myles and Zara are probably wondering where I disappeared to. I can avoid Zach. Or maybe I just need to face things. Perhaps it will be better to see him in a crowd, at a public event.
I follow Claire out of the bathrooms, back into the foyer. People are beginning to disperse, heading inside to find their tables. Claire slips her arm through mine, leading me through the crowd. Then she stops dead. She turns to me, her dark blue eyes opening wide.
“Shit,” she whispers. “I’m so sorry.”
Over her shoulder I spot Bryce.
Talking to Zach.
They’ve both seen us. Bryce is frowning slightly. Zach’s expression is harder to read.
“It’s fine,” I murmur. “Don’t worry.” I manage to summon a smile from somewhere as we take the last few steps towards them. I need to face this.
“Look who I found.” Claire goes to Bryce, who pulls her in for a kiss.
Zach and I stare at each other.
He looks beautiful, though slightly thinner, more chiselled than the last time I saw him. I probe my heart, carefully, as though I’m poking a sore tooth.
But there’s nothing there. I care about him, of course, but that fierce love that first drew us together? It’s gone.
“You look good,” he says. Pain flickers in his eyes.
“So do you.” I’m not lying. He always looks good. But he isn’t mine anymore. I wonder whether he ever was.
“You’ve given up surfing?” His voice rasps.
I shake my head. “No. Just taking a break from it.”
He nods. “I hope that’s true. You’re too good not to be surfing, Jade.”
“Why would it not be true?” Irritation rises in me. I squash it down. I don’t want to make a scene.
He shrugs. “You seem to have given up on a lot of things lately.” His blue gaze is bleak, and I sense again how much I hurt him, leaving the way I did.
