Cassie shook her head, wiping the lipstick off Carter’s mouth with her finger, before giving Natasha a hug and kiss hello. “Your brother can be so juvenile sometimes. But I suppose I don’t mind ’cause he’s so sweet.”
“Only for you,” Carter said, grinning at Cassie’s before enveloping Natasha in an embrace. “How are you doing, Tash?” he asked, suddenly serious.
“I’m good,” she said with a bright smile. “Ready and willing to meet eligible bachelors tonight with this dress.”
Carter’s lips curved, his smile not quite meeting his eyes. “Glad to hear. You’ll bowl them over. You look beautiful.”
“Why, thanks, bro,” she said, lightly punching his arm. She knew Carter was sad that things hadn’t worked out between her and Gavin, and would be feeling more than he was letting on. But she was grateful that their break-up hadn’t caused a rift between the two best friends. She would have hated it if it had.
“Hey, guys,” Tristan greeted Carter and Cassie as he handed her a glass of wine.
“Hey, dude,” Carter said. “Are you my sister’s escort tonight?”
Natasha raised her eyebrows at Carter.
“I can be if she wants me to,” Tristan said, grinning at her. “I don’t mind being the go-to man for the girls when they need a fake date. Remember, I did a good job of it for Erin a few months ago?”
“Thank you for the offer, but it’s not necessary,” she said with a chuckle. “I’m after a true prospective boyfriend and I doubt you’d want to apply for that part.”
Tristan pretended to shudder. “You’re very attractive, Natasha, but even you won’t be able to entice me to abandon the single life.”
She laughed. “I know you’re a lost cause.”
“Well, if you change your mind about wanting an escort for tonight, let me know,” Tristan said with a wink before walking away.
“So,” Carter said, his face a picture of contemplation. “You’re really planning on picking up a real date?
“Why not? If I’m going to move on, might as well do it sooner rather than later, right?”
“Right,” Carter said with a sigh. “Just pick a guy who’s not involved in anything shady, okay?”
“Hey, isn’t it your job to screen my dates?” she asked dryly.
“Aha! So I have explicit permission. Good!”
She rolled her eyes as they mingled with the other guests.
*
Natasha sat with her friends at one of the round dining tables set up on the big outdoor entertainment deck. She sniffed the air, her mouth watering from the delicious smells coming from the long buffet table filled with sumptuous food. Thankfully, the transparent marquee covering the deck allowed them to enjoy views of a lit-up Sydney Harbour Bridge and cityscape while trapping the heat generated by the multiple patio heaters scattered about. It made the cold July night comfortable without a coat.
“Hello, Natasha.”
“Jarryd! Good to see you,” she said, smiling at the man who had fast become a friend.
“Is there a spare seat here?” Jarryd asked.
“This one is,” she said, patting the chair next to her.
“Oh, really? Mind if I take it?”
“Of course not,” she answered, then introduced him to the other people at their table.
“He’s hot,” Erin whispered from her other side.
“Uh-huh,” she answered.
“Is he single?”
She nodded.
“How do you know?”
“He tried to ask me out before, but we’ve since agreed to stay in the friendship zone.”
“Okay,” Erin said with a smile, squeezing her hand. “Don’t look now, but Gavin’s just arrived.”
Her head whipped towards the back entrance leading into the house. Ugh. Erin had just said don’t look, and what did she do? Good thing Gavin hadn’t noticed. He was busy greeting Jade, seemingly apologising for his tardiness.
Why was he so late anyway? Did Amber hold him up?
Ugh! Seriously, what was wrong with her? Why the hell couldn’t she stop thinking of Amber and Gavin being together?
She turned to Jarryd, determined to ignore Gavin for the rest of the night. “Want to get some food?”
“Sure,” Jarryd said, pulling out her chair for her as she stood up.
“How’s it going with the changes to the Esda plans?” she asked as they walked to the buffet table.
Jarryd groaned and launched into the complications brought about by the factory owners wanting to incorporate substantial changes to the plans at a late time.
Natasha listened sympathetically. “I’ll speak with our engineer and give him the heads-up with what’s happening. But it’ll be no problem to make the necessary changes.”
“Thanks. Appreciate that. By the way, do I get to meet your brother tonight?”
“Oh, yes. Carter will be sitting at our table. And he should know more about the technical aspects of the project than I do so you can ask him about some of your concerns.”
“And your boyfriend? Is he not here tonight?”
She flushed. “Gavin’s not my boyfriend anymore. We’ve broken up.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. Anyway, look at all this delicious food!”
Jarryd smiled, getting that she wanted to change the subject.
She was grateful for Jarryd’s presence. If Gavin was watching, she was glad that he could see she wasn’t moping around, feeling sorry for herself. It was a matter of pride.
She filled her plate with her favourite dishes and went back to her seat.
“Do you like him?” Erin whispered.
“Jarryd? I’m enjoying his company.”
“Clearly,” Erin said, watching her face.
She shook her head. “It’s not like that. I feel comfortable with him and I think he’s attractive, but there’s nothing there apart from good rapport.”
“O-kay.”
Her eyes widened. “Did it look like I was flirting with him?”
“Are you trying to make Gavin jealous?”
“No,” she said with a frown just as she heard Carter talk to Jarryd from across the table.
“Oh, I was meaning to introduce you guys to each other,” she commented.
“Yes, you were so busy chatting that you didn’t even notice me trying to catch your eye,” Carter quipped.
“Sorry,” she said with a laugh. “Anyway, you should talk to Jarryd later about some technical stuff regarding changes to the electrical plans for Esda. I was telling him you’ll understand more of it than I do.”
“Sure,” Carter said. “Anything major?”
“Unfortunately,” Jarryd said with a sigh. “The owners—”
A hand on her shoulder distracted her from listening to Jarryd’s answer. She looked up and her heartbeat instantly spiked up.
“Hi,” Gavin said with a smile.
“Hi,” she said, then pretended to go back to listening to Carter and Jarryd’s conversation. Gosh, she didn’t mean to be rude, but Gavin had taken her by surprise and she wasn’t ready to face him.
“Do you have a minute, please?” Gavin asked, giving her shoulder a soft squeeze.
She pressed her lips together, then nodded. Might as well get it over and done with. She got up and let him lead her inside Lucas and Jade’s empty and private theatre room.
Gavin exhaled heavily while she glanced around, looking for something to focus on apart from him.
“Tash,” Gavin said softly.
“Yeah?” she asked nonchalantly, her arms crossing against her chest.
“We didn’t get a chance to talk properly the last time. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
She smirked. “You could have asked me that outside, Gavin. I’m fine. Carter explained everything. I’m still a little angry at you for hiding things from me, but that’s a normal reaction. I’ll get over it soon.”
“I don’t want to lose you,” Gavin said, his
voice pleading.
Her heart skipped before her brain quickly smothered the hope that dared to show its unwelcome head. “You mean you don’t want to lose me as a friend?”
Gavin’s chest heaved before he answered. “Yes.”
“Sure,” she said blithely, pushing away the instant pain evoked by his answer. “In time we’ll be back to normal. When that will be, I have no idea. It would help if you’d just leave me alone for a while.”
“I never meant to hurt you, Tash.”
She smiled without cheer. But you did anyway.
“I’ll be fine,” she said dismissively. “Is there anything else? I don’t want my food to get cold. And Jarryd’s probably looking for me.”
Okay, she did want to make him jealous, even if it was only a tad.
“Did Lucas invite him, or did you?”
Her brows rose. “He’s Lucas’ friend,” she said vaguely. “Anyway, he’s a nice guy. I’ll introduce you to him.”
Gavin just stared at her, looking despondent.
“How’s Amber, by the way?” she asked, trying to remind herself not to be fooled by her emotions, which were suggesting that Gavin might indeed be getting upset because of Jarryd.
Gavin looked away, shifting from one foot to the next. “She’s okay,” he mumbled.
Well, wasn’t his body language telling? “We better go back,” she said coldly, hastening out of the room.
“Tash...”
She heard the anguish in his tone but she resisted glancing back. Gavin might be worried about their friendship, but she was worried about her heart. It was still too weak and too foolish when it came to him. Best thing she could do was avoid him until she had fallen out of love and completely healed. When that would be, she didn’t know. But damn it, she was going to do her utmost best to get there as soon as she could.
She was done pining for a man whose heart had always belonged to someone else.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Gavin stared at the closed door of the theatre room. He didn’t think it was possible for the pieces of his broken heart to splinter into tinier fragments, but they just did. And the only woman who could glue them back together again didn’t want to have anything to do with him anymore.
He dropped into one of the plush seats and stared at the big blank screen. He’d been watching Tash since he’d arrived and she seemed to be having a great time with that Jarryd guy. She hadn’t even noticed Carter trying to attract her attention, too focused on laughing and carrying on with Jarryd.
Okay, so maybe carrying on was an exaggeration, but they were certainly getting along so well. Jarryd was even sitting in his chair. Even if he wasn’t going out with Natasha anymore, he’d expected to be enjoying Jade’s feast with his closest friends. But seeing that their table was full, he had no option but to sit somewhere else. Yes, the other guests were all very nice people, but they weren’t the ones he wanted to spend time with.
His phone buzzed and he retrieved it. “Peter,” he said, sitting up straight.
“Gavin. How’s Amber?”
“She’s good. Comfortable at my place. She seems happy to stay put.”
“Good. We’ve had another chat with Biggs. He’s still staunchly denying that he’s instructed someone else to carry on his vendetta against you and the other witnesses to his wife’s case. Of course, we can’t fully trust the words coming out of that man’s mouth, so we need to keep Amber’s existence a secret for as long as we possibly can.”
“Right,” he said, knowing there was more to it than what the superintendent knew. “I guess that if Biggs does have loyal friends acting for him on the outside, he won’t be telling the police about them.”
“No, he won’t, will he? But there’s nothing we can do until one of them makes a move. It’s not ideal, but how else are we gonna find out?”
“Yeah,” Gavin agreed. It was up to him to find a workable lead. Until then, the police didn’t have to know about the new threats. Telling them at this time would just put his loved ones at more risk.
“I’ll keep you updated. In the meantime, take care of Amber.”
“Will do.”
“And, Gavin, please don’t do anything I wouldn’t sanction.”
“Don’t worry.” You won’t hear about them.
“Well, enjoy yourself tonight.”
“I’m trying,” he said dryly.
He hung up, wanting so badly to keep working and find an end to this new nightmare.
But he couldn’t leave yet. He’d only just arrived a few minutes ago, and he really should help make tonight a happy one for Jade—even if happy was something he hadn’t been since he and Tash had broken up.
Reluctantly, he made his way back to the party. His gaze immediately went to Natasha’s table as he stepped out onto the entertainment deck. She was again engrossed in a conversation with Jarryd! And why the fuck was Carter laughing with them?
He averted his eyes, heavy despondence dropping on him with a thud. Not only was the love of his life moving on, but his best friend was aiding and abetting her. Could things get any worse? He was so tired from overwork and lack of sleep that all he wanted was to cuddle with his Tash and talk the case over with Carter. And. He. Couldn’t. Fucking. Do. Either.
“Hey,” Brad said, clasping his shoulder. “How’s it going?”
“Good,” he grunted out, unable to muster a smile.
Brad gave him a squeeze. “Anything I can do to help?”
“Thanks, dude. But, no.”
“Are you sure? You helped me a lot when I was in a deep bind, and I’m keen to return the favour, especially with matters of the heart.”
He snorted. “Matters of the heart?”
“Come on, bro,” Brad said quietly. “I know all’s not what you make it out to be. I can tell you’re in hell and I want to help.”
“Thanks, Brad,” he said sincerely. “I’m just preoccupied with a very sensitive case. But I’ll let you know if I need your help.”
“Good. I’ll be waiting by the phone,” Brad quipped.
Gavin chuckled, trying to inject some cheer into it.
They walked back to their respective tables and he looked around, seeing the many faces of people he cared about. Yet he couldn’t let them in for fear of the repercussions. He’d never felt so alone despite being among friends.
Natasha’s laughter floated to his ear, and he saw her grip Jarryd’s arm in her amusement.
The image was painful to watch, but at least she was happy. At least she was safe.
I’m doing this for you, baby.
And he hoped, in time, she’d know how much he truly loved her, even if it was too late to salvage their relationship.
*****
Gavin grabbed a beer from the fridge and went to sit on the couch. If Amber stuck to her usual routine, she’d be out of her room soon to catch her favourite program. He was hoping to have another conversation with her and try to pull out whatever additional clue he could from her experiences in the last five years.
His phone rang. “Hey, bro,” he answered with a wistful smile. He hadn’t hung around with Carter for days. He missed his best friend.
“Hey, are you avoiding me?” Carter asked. “I just saw your text that you can’t join us on the weekend at this guest house in Leura.”
“Sorry, dude, but I’m just too busy.”
“That’s what you keep saying. Look, I’m still slightly mad that you’ve broken my sister’s heart again, but I know you didn’t do it out of malice. You were just being honest. And she’s fine now, anyway.”
“Is she?” he asked in a low voice.
“Yes. She’s still avoiding mentioning you, which is understandable in the circumstances, but she’s been upbeat. I think it’s because of Jarryd.”
“Why?” he said in an almost-growl.
There was a pause and he inhaled deeply, cursing himself for his lapse.
“Why not?” Carter said. “You have Amber now. Why can’t she have Jarryd?
”
“I don’t...” He shut his eyes. How could he explain to Carter the reason Amber was really here? The more he tried to deny a relationship, the more Carter would pry.
“Don’t what?” Carter pressed.
“Tash is still my friend, so I want the best for her.”
“What’s wrong with Jarryd? He’s a nice guy. I think he’s good for Tash, so I’m glad he’s joining us this weekend. Tash invited him.”
His jaw dropped, jealousy instantly sprouting. “Is he staying overnight too?” The thought of his Tash spending a weekend away with another man twisted his gut.
“Yes. It’s a shame you can’t come. I know it’s last-minute, but with someone else cancelling their booking for the place, we were happy to grab the chance to stay there. Cassie’s so looking forward to it. The guest house is filled with artwork from local artists she likes, and the garden apparently keeps winning awards year after year. It’s just a chance for us to chill out with friends and recharge our batteries.”
“I’m still catching up with work, unfortunately. But will there be room for me if I change my mind?”
“We’ve thrown the invitation open to the gang on a first-come-first-served basis until all seven rooms are taken. I think there’s two left at this point, so you better make your decision soon.”
“I won’t know till Saturday. If things go well, I should be able to make it. I’ll call you if I can,” he said, spying Amber coming out of her room. “Anyway, I have to go. Let’s catch up some other time.”
“How about this Friday?”
“Um, no. Sorry. I’ll be very busy then.”
Carter sighed loudly. “I don’t know whether you’re taking on too much or there’s something you’re not telling me. But okay, I won’t pry. See you later.”
“See you, bro.”
“Was that Carter?” Amber asked after he’d hung up.
“Yes.”
Amber sat on the adjacent couch. “I’m sorry you can’t see your best friend as often as you want. But I suppose it’s best. Carter knows you well and will know that you’re hiding something from him.”
He smiled mirthlessly. “I can’t keep on avoiding him, though. He’ll be suspicious and I don’t want him to be.”
The Unforgettable Ex (Captured by Love Book 5) (Volume 5) Page 14