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He didn’t come home. He texted her around nine-thirty, saying that he’d dropped in to check Hunter’s place and had decided to stay.

I understand: she’d texted back.

But Bea wasn’t sure she did understand. He’d done almost exactly the same thing for his parents. Admittedly, he always had a promise of getting the money back, whereas she never would.

Had he stopped talking to her? She’d hurt him, implied he was a convenient screw, when she couldn’t imagine her life without him.

And she couldn’t tell anyone she was hurting too.

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Got time for coffee?

Bea’s finger hoveredaboveSendon her phone. Anna had been back in Australia twenty-four hours. Allowing for jetlag and welcomes from immediate family, Anna was scheduled to start work today, so should have re-joined her everyday world by now. Bea gnawed her bottom lip. “Don’t be such a wimp.” She pressedSend.

Love to.

Bea stared at the phone.

Usual place for lunch?

Great,Bea replied.

That left her two hours and twenty-five minutes to get her story straight for her friend. She wanted to ask for more time to spend with Casildo, but that was unfair to Anna. Basically unfair to her and Casildo as well. They needed to face reality, not bounce along in their own dream world as if happily-ever-afters were their right. But Bea wanted a few more days, so she could mend what she’d broken between them.

If Casildo let her.

He’d collected almost all his gear and gone while she was out.

Bea arrived at the small café midway between her office and Anna’s early enough to snag a table in a quiet corner. She collected her Greek salad and some water from the fridge, then tried to organise her thoughts while she waited for her friend.

Anna breezed in ten minutes later, looking more relaxed and happier than Bea could ever remember seeing her. She came by the table before ordering food. Bea rose and hugged her. “Welcome back. You look happy.”

“I don’t remember ever being this happy. Marriage to Hunter is sexy, decadent, loving bliss.” She squeezed Bea a little tighter. “And then some. Let me get something to eat and you can fill me in on all the gossip I’ve missed.”

Bea knew Casildo would have messaged Hunter since the honeymoon couple had arrived back in Australia. She didn’t know what he’d said, but Anna was her friend, so she needed to explain.

“You chose a salad?” Bea was momentarily distracted.

“I told you I was happy.” Anna laughed.

“Did you have a taste bypass in Acapulco? I mean, you just don’t eat salads as a rule.”

“Weren’t in Acapulco.” Anna waved her fork in the air. “What have I missed?”

“I moved into your apartment the weekend you left.”

“That’s wonderful.

“Casildo did too.”

“You moved in together?” Anna flopped back in her chair. “I didn’t see that coming. At least, I don’t think I saw that coming. Should I have seen that coming?”

“It wasn’t like that.” Bea pushed her salad away.

“Like what?”

“Jackson Smithers got the promotion—”