Australia: Bundles of Joy. Nicola Marsh

like it. They could date, have fun, and make the most of every day as people her age should be doing.

      Why did she need to constantly overanalyse every situation?

      Because you’re in deeper than you think.

      Telling her voice of reason to shut up, she turned back to Tahlia.

      ‘Thanks for the advice, Dear Abby. Now, how about we get down to the business of planning Em’s surprise party?’

      Tahlia scrutinised her for a moment before shrugging her shoulders. ‘Nice change of topic. I’ll buy it.’ She picked up her pocket organiser and started flipping pages. ‘I’ve booked Sammy’s, organised the fìnger food with Andy, and drinks will be buy-your-own over the bar. How is the guest list coming along?’

      ‘All done, though she’s going to be pretty bummed that Harry isn’t going to be there.’

      ‘Time she got over him. Who pines after their first love for that long anyway? Men are all the same; they just have different faces so that we can tell them apart.’

      Keely chuckled at her friend’s cynicism. Though Tahlia had men falling at her feet, she seemed oblivious, hell-bent on conquering the world rather than the male species. Despite the way she ignored them, they still flocked.

      ‘I think it’s romantic. And, from the photos I’ve seen of the guy, can you blame her?’

      ‘Point taken. What about a present?’

      Keely picked up a magazine from the coffee table and flipped it open. ‘I know this is kitschy, but what do you think?’

      Tahlia took one look at the page and almost fell off the couch laughing. ‘A Barry Manilow figurine? You’ve got to be joking!’

      Keely joined in the laughter. ‘But she loves the guy almost as much as Harry!’ She looked at the picture of pint-sized Barry and cracked up again. ‘I think he’s kinda cute.’

      ‘And I think you’re kinda crazy. Besides, I have a better idea. What about that toe ring she was eyeing off in the jeweller’s window the other day?’

      ‘The one with her star sign on it?’

      Tahlia nodded. ‘I think our Miss Conservative is going through a rash patch at the moment. She’s never worn a toe ring in her life.’

      Keely clicked her fingers and practically bounced around the room in her enthusiasm. ‘Great idea. She’s definitely after a change of image, so we can also do a makeover. Clothes, make-up, hair, the works!’

      Tahlia’s eyes fairly gleamed. ‘Now you’re talking. We can—’

      The loud peal of the security buzzer stopped her mid-sentence and Keely glanced at her watch, wondering who her visitor could be. She rarely had company on a Monday night, apart from one of the girls, and the only reason they popped in so early in the week was usually to discuss some man problem from the weekend before.

      She pressed the intercom button and said, ‘Who is it?’ And almost jumped back when Lachlan’s deep tones filtered through the static speakers.

      ‘Sorry to barge in on you like this, but do you have a minute?’

      Keely turned to look at Tahlia, who leaped off the couch and gathered up her stuff in record time.

      ‘Don’t mind me, I’m outta here. Let the man up, for goodness’ sake,’ she mouthed while heading towards the door.

      Keely glanced down at her candy-pink sweatpants and matching hood top and grimaced. ‘Look at me. He can’t see me like this. I look like fairy floss!’

      Tahlia’s wicked grin didn’t reassure her. ‘With any luck, he might eat you.’ She gave her a saucy wave and sauntered towards the door. ‘And I want details. Don’t worry about buzzing him up. I’ll let him in on my way out. Later.’

      Keely groaned and shooed her away and, as Tahlia left, she rushed around the room frantically trying to clean up. Housework wasn’t one of her strong suits, and as she’d been away for the weekend she hadn’t had time to devote her scant hour to the usual once-over.

      Resisting the urge to shove everything under her couch, she settled for making a few neat piles of magazines and clearing away the remnants of the girlie feast Tahlia had been devouring—wine, pretzels and chocolate-coated peanuts—just in time for Lachlan’s knock at the door.

      Smoothing back the wisps of hair escaping from her ponytail, and biting her bottom lip for a bit of colour, she opened the door. ‘Hi. What brings you by?’

      His gaze flicked over her and, rather than seeing distaste, she read approval in the way his eyes lit up. However, it didn’t appease her. She knew she looked a fright and wondered what he was playing at pretending otherwise.

      ‘Sorry to drop by unannounced, but I’m going away for a few days on business and thought you might like this info.’

      Her heart sank at his revelation. Just when she’d decided to take the plunge and see where all this tension between them was leading, he had to go away?

      ‘Where are you going?’

      He smiled, the simple action illuminating his face and speeding up her heart-rate in a second.

      ‘I’ll make you a deal. If you ask me in, I’ll tell you.’

      ‘Oops, sorry.’ She stepped back, wondering why her manners deserted her whenever he set foot on her doorstep. It probably had something to do with the way he looked, and sounded, and smelt, but that was no excuse.

      ‘Did I catch you in the middle of something?’

      She closed the door behind him and resisted the urge to lean against it and sigh. He looked amazing in a dark grey suit, white shirt and burgundy tie—every ounce the consummate professional—and she looked like fairy floss! Not fair.

      Smiling, she strolled across the room as if he popped in to see her every day of the week—she wished—and indicated he take a seat before plopping down into one herself. ‘No, not really. Tahlia and I were just planning a surprise party for a friend.’

      ‘Was Tahlia the stunning woman who let me in?’

      A shaft of jealousy pierced her gut. Okay, so it was true, but did he have to notice that Tahlia’s tall, slim figure could grace the cover of a magazine?

      She nodded and wished she hadn’t removed her make-up and changed when she’d got home. Tahlia had come straight from work and still looked a million dollars in her red power suit, with not a hair out of place at the end of the day.

      ‘Tahlia is Director of Sales at WWW Designs. We’ve been friends for ages.’

      He looked suitably impressed. ‘Must be a rule at your workplace to only employ beautiful women.’ He paused and allowed his glance to slide over her, very slowly, from head to foot. ‘I like your casual look, by the way.’

      She tried to detect a hint of sarcasm and came up lacking. He thought she was beautiful? Looking like this? Now she knew for sure. The Doc needed his head examined!

      ‘Wish I could get out of these clothes,’ he said, sticking a finger between his collar and tie in an attempt to loosen it.

      You can.

      She stared at him for a long silent moment before swallowing those two little words and turning away.

      ‘Would you like a drink?’

      ‘I’d kill for a coffee,’ he said, following her into the kitchen. ‘So, whose birthday party is it?’

      ‘I’ll trade you. You tell me where you’re going—’ and why you’re really here, she thought ‘—and I’ll tell you about the party.’

      He leaned against the benchtop as she switched on the percolator and she wished he wouldn’t look so at home in her apartment. It