Page 24 of Untroubled Heart

We say our goodbyes, then I text my mum a photo I took of Navie this morning, along with a message saying we miss her and hope to call her soon. I throw my phone in my purse and head inside.

The music is low enough that a conversation can take place without yelling. Brown leather lounges and velvet green armchairs line the walls. Most of the floor is dark wood until you reach the bar, where bottle-green and antique gold tiles are laid in a diamond pattern. In the centre of the room are round booths with high-backed chairs, some raised on a platform with heavy drapes hanging from the ceiling so they can be sectioned off.

Westley and Maevyn are just ahead, talking to Lee and his girlfriend, Claire.

“Hey,” West says once I step up to the small circle they’ve made. “Everything okay?”

“It was Cas,” I say under my breath. “I think Dad’s officially out of the picture.”

His eyes widen before he wraps an arm around my shoulder, hugging me to his side. “Are you okay?” he whispers.

I nod quickly, squeezing him before pulling away, not wanting to draw any attention. “Later.”

“How are you doing, Callie?” Lee asks. “How’s the job?”

“It’s great. Thank you so much for recommending me.”

“Happy to help.” He smiles just as a waiter comes around with a tray of appetisers.

I made sure to eat a big meal before we left. I’m used to vegan food not being readily available, especially when I’m added to the guest list last minute. But it doesn’t bother me. I always keep snacks in my handbag so I’m never caught hangry. Learned that the hard way. Caspian also carries vegan snacks with him for a completely unrelated event that didn’t involve me biting his head off for the way he drives.

As our group settles into conversation, I continue to marvel at the design of the space when my eyes catch Mason standing with his sister, Steven, and another man I don’t know. Mason’s bouncing his niece in his arms while Beth is talking about something that requires the overuse of her arms.

“Hey, I’m gonna let Mason and Steven know I’m here,” I say to West.

“Okay.” He nods.

I feel out of place as I walk through the fancy club. We didn’t have anything like this back home. Half the clubs we had, you could walk in still wearing your bathers after spending a day at the beach.

Beth spots me first. “Callie!”

I hold up my hand, waving awkwardly. Why did I do that? “Hello.”

“Callie!” Steven links his arm through mine. “I’m so glad you’re here. This is my husband, Barrett.” He pats the shoulder of the man standing behind him.

Where Steven loves an assortment of bright colours, Barrett seems the polar opposite. Steven’s wearing a gorgeous mauve suit with the shirt sleeves rolled up and an intricate gold brooch pinned through his lapel. His black shirt is covered in a myriad of purple, red, and pink flowers, opening at the neck to reveal two gold chains. Barrett’s wearing round, black-rimmed glasses with a midnight blue suit, vest, and turtleneck. He’s bald, but his face is covered in light stubble. Simply put, they’re both freaking gorgeous.

I tilt my head up to whisper in Steven’s ear. “Nice.”

“I know, right?!” Steven winks, making me chuckle. “Bear, this is Callie, the little darling filling my shoes and making it possible for us to actually leave for Port Yarra without me stressing that my boss will fall into a conniption.”

Mason throws one hand in the air with a huff, the other still cradling his niece. “Why do you always make me out to be the drama king?”

“Because you are,” Steven and Beth say together.

I chuckle. “It’s very nice to meet you, Barrett. Congratulations on the new business.”

“Thank you, Callie.”

“When do you two leave?” I ask, trying to distract myself from watching my boss hold a tiny baby.

“I’ve been in Port Yarra all week,” Barrett answers. “The construction team fortifying the structure had to start before the temperatures dropped for snow season. We need the worst of the external damage repaired so the winter months can be spent doing the internal upgrades, and then we’ll be ready to open before the next big tourist season.” He squeezes Steven’s shoulder. “Stevie flies out this Wednesday with the dogs, and the biggest challenge of our relationship begins.”

“Renovating?”

“Convincing Stevie we don’t need a dancing staff at a ski resort.”

My brows furrow in question as Steven looks at me. “Nobody puts Stevie in the corner.”