Abbey raises an eyebrow.‘B2?’
‘B1 and B2?’He gestures between us.‘Bananas in Pyjamas?’
She frowns.‘Is that a euphemism?’
I nearly snort champagne through my nose.
‘It’s a kids’ show,’ he says, then gives up when she continues looking at him blankly.‘Never mind.’
‘Why am I not surprised to find you three together?’Ella appears with Darcy one step behind her.
Abbey lifts her glass.‘Well, it’s a million degrees and we’re standing next to the only functioning bar.Do the maths.’
Ella ignores her and wraps an arm around Darcy’s waist.‘This is Abbey and Jamie.My best friends since before bras.’
All curly dark hair, soft green eyes and a smile as wide as the horizon, Darcy steps forward and kisses us both on the cheek.‘Nice to finally meet you both.’His eyes settle on me.‘Glad to see the bruise has cleared up.’
Ella and Abbey lose it.Heat rushes to my face so fast I’m surprised my body doesn’t combust.
‘What bruise?’Blue Eyes asks.
Ella grins.‘Things got a little too hot and heavy the other day, didn’t they, Jamie?’
Abbey bends over, wheezing with laughter.My skin burns from embarrassment.I’d sent Ella photo evidence of the Lululemon Incident purely for comedic value, not so she could share it withher future husband.And now?It’s being discussed like a group project.
‘It’s nothing,’ I murmur.‘Barely even a bruise.’
Abbey wipes her eyes.‘It was the funniest thing I’ve heard all month.’
I’m racking my brain for a subject change when Ella graciously turns to Abbey.‘Abs, how was that skincare event last week?’
I mouththank youto Ella as Abbey lights up and launches into a story involving a reality TV dermatologist, a rogue serum sample and ‘a high-risk exfoliation situation’.Darcy listens with the polite confusion of a man encountering full speed, unfiltered female gossip.
‘There you all are!’Gloria appears, an opulent hurricane.She winks at the bartender before swapping her empty champagne glass for a full one.Then she corners Ella and Darcy.‘It’s time for you two to make a toast!’
Gloria gives us the royal shoo – an elegant wave of her free hand, accompanied by an arched brow – so Abbey grabs another glass of champagne, and then hooks her arm through mine as we’re herded into the crowd.
I sip my drink, letting the bubbles coat my lingering embarrassment like emotional armour.Abbey leans in, her voice low and annoyingly delighted.She nods her head at Blue Eyes.‘You two looked awfully cosy.He’s giving Geralt of Rivia energy.’
I snort and whisper back, ‘Apparently I’m not his type.’
Ella steps forward and lifts her glass, radiant and composed, the human embodiment of golden hour.‘To love,’ she says.‘The kind that sets your soul on fire.The kind that makes you feel like the world is holding its breath for you.’
I notice Blue Eyes shift to my right.
‘We’re all here tonight because we’ve either found that kind of love, or we’re still looking.And that’s okay.Just … when you findit, hold on.With both hands.Because love like that?It’s why we’re all here.’
Glasses lift.Soft clinks fill the air.
I sip my drink mechanically, resisting the urge to roll my eyes.Beside me, Blue Eyes releases a soft snort – even he can’t believe the cheesy monologue we just listened to.
I glance at him.‘Something funny?’
He shrugs.‘Just wondering how long it took her to rehearse that.’
I glare at him.‘Did someone steal your soul at a farmers’ market, or were you always this emotionally repressed?’
He scoffs and I hate the way my eyes track the length of his jawline.‘At least I had a soul to lose.’
