As I open the door to the restaurant, déjà vu hits me; the girls head straight to the bar and pick the same table Liv and I sat at only two days ago.
“Ladies? What do you want to drink?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light. It’s close enough to noon and normal rules about drinking don’t apply in paradise.
“Jug of soda water and cocktails all around?” Jess suggests and Tess nods, still looking at me.
I go up to the bar to order, not wanting the staff to come to the table. What the hell would they be thinking? Olivia and I went from friends to lovers, then a strange guy turned up yesterday and whisked away my girl. Liv is off with him somewhere and now I’m drinking with two hot girls. Nothing is what it seems, but I don’t have the energy for explanations or judgment.
“Ladies,” I hand out the drinks and notice how they are sitting opposite me as if I’m on trial. I guess I am. This isn’t just a casual drink; it’s the most important audition or job interview of my life. “What shall we drink to?” I ask, hoping to lighten the mood.
“Sun and surf? This place is amazing.” Jess raises her glass to the view. “I can’t believe Mitchel didn’t want to come here. He even threatened Olivia that he wouldn’t pay a cent for the place.”
“He didn’t,” I confess, knowing they might as well know the truth.
“Olivia paid for this as well as the wedding. That’s rough.” Jess tsk tsks and rolls her eyes at Tash as if to say,what else can you expect from a guy who cheats on his wedding day?
“No.” I wait until their eyes widen in realization as the penny drops.
“You paid?” Jess is the first to speak and then looks at Tess. They have one of those silent conversations that I’ve neverunderstood. The guys and I used to joke that for girls who could talk underwater, half of the serious conversations were had with glances and half nods, usually catching us off guard.
“Did a mate a favor when he had cash flow issues,” I admit, the bitterness of paying for the honeymoon still raw even though it took away my guilt when I gatecrashed.
“Some friend. Guess you’ve cashed in on the favor.” I can’t work out whether Tess is annoyed at Olivia and I getting back together, or because she is team Mitch.
“This is not about him. He fucked up when he fucked Lina and all the other women we’ve been hearing about. This is about Olivia and me.” There. At least Liv’s friends know where I stand.
“You’re an asshole, sleazebag and opportunistic son of a bitch.” Jess’ smile softens the viciousness of her tone and words. Anyone watching will think we’re just old friends catching up. I know that it’s my life and death. If I can’t win over Liv’s friends, I’ll never win over her parents. I need them to believe me and not get in the way of Liv and my second chance.
“How’d you figure?” I wave my hands, encouraging Jess to continue.
“Olivia and Mitchel fight, she runs off with you. The way it looks is instead of encouraging her to take time out in Sydney, talk, listen, and see if they can salvage something, you run away with her and jump into bed at the first opportunity. Like I said, opportunistic bastard.”
Okay, these two aren’t going to come over to my team anytime soon.
“Does she know you’re here?” I redirect. They might not be on my side, but having Liv’s friends interrupt whatever Mitch has planned is better than giving him time to win back my girl.
“We thought we’d surprise her,” Jess says and Tess nods. “The guys were gonna come too and make a party of it, but weconvinced them to take Pete down to Melbourne and go clubbing instead.”
“I haven’t seen Liv since this morning.” I delivered her coffee and breakfast which she pretended to eat before leaving for the beach … and Mitch.
“Lover’s quarrel?” Tess teases and I snap.
“If you must know, Mitch turning up here yesterday hit her hard.” I take a breath and lower my voice before the wait staff come over to intervene. “She didn’t expect to see him, and she wanted space to think before he turned up and insisted they go for a walk.” It happened so fast; I didn’t have time to ask if she wanted me to kick him out. He asked and she left, leaving most of her breakfast but taking her coffee.
“She loves him.” Tess reaches over to touch my arm, but I flinch back as if burned.
“Loves or loved?”
“That’s for her to figure out and you coming here with her must be as confusing as hell.” Jess watches me warily and I wish there was a way for her to see that this time my intentions are forever. I know that second chances are hard to come by and I wish there was a way to show Liv’s family and friends that we won’t need a third.
“How about I let Liv know she has more friends coming to her aid?”
Hunter: Jess and Tash arrived about an hour ago. With me at the restaurant.
Showing the text to my jury, I send it to Liv and Mitchel.
Olivia: I should warn you about Tash
Hunter: ?
