By Request Collection 1. Jackie Braun

to see Gilda from next door slipping through the front gate.

      ‘Blake?’ she called again. ‘It is you!’

      ‘Gilda Matilda!’ His face broke into a broad relaxed smile, something he hadn’t bestowed on Lissa, she noted with a curious feeling in the pit of her stomach as he changed direction and jogged towards the woman.

      Flawlessly made-up, their neighbour wore a stunning white sundress that no doubt came from some exclusive European collection. Lissa, in her new off-the-rack red skirt and cream jacket, instantly felt outclassed.

      Blake leaned down, dropped a kiss on her cheek. ‘You’re still living here, I see.’

      ‘Yes. And about time you came home, you long-lost sailor, you.’ The dark-haired woman returned the kiss and gave him a heartfelt hug, the clutch of rings on the third finger of her left hand sparkling in the light. She turned and smiled Lissa’s way. ‘Hello, Lissa. How are you? I didn’t realise you two knew each other.’

      ‘Hi, Gilda. Yes, we knew each other in Surfers. It was a long time ago.’ She glanced at Blake and saw something flicker in his gaze before he turned his attention back to their neighbour.

      Lissa wandered towards them. She wanted to watch their interaction and see if it was just herself he didn’t let in on his life’s details.

      Gilda beamed up at him. ‘Well, what extraordinary activities have you been up to all this time?’

      ‘I can see what you’ve been up to.’

      Neatly diverting attention away from himself. Again.

      His gaze dropped to the woman’s gently rounded belly. ‘Congratulations. Or have you popped out a couple of others since I last saw you?’

      She laughed, breathless and happy. ‘No. This is our first.’ Her gaze softened and turned inwards and her voice grew almost reverent. ‘It’s a miracle. Fifteen years of trying and now I’m six months along. I still can’t believe it.’

      ‘You’ve waited a long time, Gil. Enjoy it.’

      ‘Oh, I am. Every minute.’ Her smile flashed wider. ‘I’m in the throes of preparing the nursery. It’s a girl and I can’t decide whether to go with traditional pink or something completely unexpected. Whatever we decide, it’s got to be something spectacular. But I guess you men are all the same.’ She flapped a hand and smiled knowingly at Lissa. ‘Put off by women’s talk of nurseries.’

      ‘Maybe your neighbour can help you out.’

      ‘Oh?’

      ‘Lissa’s an interior designer and, believe me, you’ll want to see her ideas.’ He cast a conspiratorial smile Lissa’s way. ‘She’s working on my living room at present, but I’m sure she’ll find time to fit you into her schedule.’

      ‘Really?’ Gilda’s eyes lit up. ‘I had no idea, Lissa. What a timely surprise. And I’d love your input.’

      Lissa’s spirits soared and she cast Blake a grateful glance. What better opportunity would come her way than the chance to impress this wealthy suburban socialite with her expertise?

      ‘I’d be happy to give you some options to consider, Gilda. Would this afternoon be a convenient time for me to look at the room?’

      ‘Oh, that’d be wonderful. Shall we say 2:00 p.m.?’

      ‘That’ll be fine. I’ll see you then.’

      Gilda paused, her eyes darting between both of them as if deciding whether they were an item or not. ‘Are you two doing anything tomorrow evening? I’m having a little party and I’d love it if you could both come.’

      ‘We’d be delighted,’ Blake answered for both of them.

      ‘Can we bring something?’ Lissa offered and immediately wished she’d kept her naive mouth shut. Gilda didn’t do anything so simple as pot-luck dinners.

      ‘Just your wallets,’ she said with a grin. ‘It’s a fundraiser for childhood cancer awareness, so it’s gold tie or gold ribbon for you, Blake, and a gold dress, Lissa.’

      Oh. Not even a semi-formal occasion then, but one of her famous extravaganzas. Obviously Gilda assumed everyone had a gold gown hanging in the closet. Her society friends probably did. Lissa wanted to go. It was an exciting, timely opportunity, but who’d give her a second glance in her chain store’s little black dress?

      But Blake … he wasn’t a party kind of guy. She could see it in his stance, in the set of his jaw. He’d accepted because he knew it was a chance for her to make some contacts.

      ‘About tomorrow night …’ she began as they waved Gilda goodbye and walked towards the car. ‘I—’

      ‘I suspect this type of party’s not exactly your thing but—’

      ‘That’s not what I was going to say.’ At the car door, she swung round to look at him. ‘If you’d rather not attend, I can go alone.’

      He stared her down. ‘Not a chance.’ His fingers curved over the door frame as he held it open for her. ‘Now hop in. You’ve got shopping to do.’

      She wanted to thank him but she knew now that it would make him uncomfortable.

      ‘Why couldn’t it be a simple black tie dinner?’ she moaned, climbing in. ‘I don’t have a suitable dress and I’m so busy today.’ She slid the key into the ignition. ‘I have an appointment to look at office furniture …’ she glanced at her watch ‘… in half an hour.’

      ‘Not much point looking at outfitting the shop if you don’t have clients. You’ve got two days. Plenty of time to look at dresses.’

      ‘What about your room? That’s a priority.’

      ‘You can do both. I’ve every confidence in you.’

      ‘Gold, for heaven’s sake.’ She turned the key and the old engine, badly in need of a service, coughed into life. ‘Where will I find a gold dress?’ More to the point, where would she find one that didn’t cost an arm and a leg?

      ‘You’re a woman, you’ll find one. Use the new account. We’ll claim it as a business expense.’

      ‘We can do that?’

      He shook his head. ‘Let me handle the finances for now, Lissa. And see if you can find me a gold tie while you’re at it,’ he said. And swung the door shut.

      Lissa pulled into the drive at two minutes to two. Leaving her supplies in the car, she rushed inside. Blake was nowhere to be seen so she grabbed her portfolio, then hurried next door to Gilda’s impressive home.

      ‘Hello again, Lissa, it’s good of you to come.’ Gilda held the door wide. ‘I’m so looking forward to hearing your ideas.’

      Lissa smiled all the way down to her toes. ‘I’m happy to help out.’

      Gilda ushered Lissa through to the spacious living area overlooking the pool. Every surface from the polished furniture to the marble floors and gold fittings gleamed. Urns of flowers filled the air with fresh fragrance. A cleaning service was in full swing on the patio.

      ‘Preparations for tomorrow night,’ Gilda explained, indicating a seat on a silk upholstered couch.

      ‘I’m surprised you have the time, being pregnant and all.’ Then again, having a cleaning service no doubt helped.

      She set her portfolio carefully on the marble topped coffee table and said, ‘Before we get started, I’d like to do my bit and donate a portion of my services for the nursery makeover towards your cause tomorrow night.’

      A pot of steaming aromatic coffee and a jug of orange juice sat on a tray on the sideboard along with a plate of Kourabiedes, Greek shortbread biscuits that Lissa loved. Gilda picked it up and set it down in front of them.