“You look lovely, Tal. Positively blooming.”

Tally glanced down at her bump and smoothed her hands over the dress Em had helped her choose. “You don’t think it’s too clingy?”

“No. All I see is a seriously hot momma,” Em said with a giggle. “I’ve warned Paul he’ll need to act as bodyguard.”

Tally pulled a face. “Brilliant,” she said in a sarcastic tone.

“Don’t be like that. Paul’s looking forward to meeting you.”

“I’m not sure I can remember how to make polite conversation with strangers.”

“Then make impolite conversation,” Em said, shrugging one shoulder. “That’ll be more fun anyway.”

Tally steeled herself. She wanted to do this for Em, especially given how wonderfully supportive Em was being with Tally’s pregnancy and all, but really, all she felt like doing was curling up on the sofa and falling asleep while watching trashy TV.

“Where are we going?”

“Trader Vic’s.”

Tally groaned. “Really?”

“What’s wrong with Vic’s?”

“Can’t we just go down to the local?”

“No. David wants to show Paul the best London has to offer.”

“But Mayfair? Do we have to?”

Em playfully bumped shoulders with Tally. “Oh, stop. You know the minute you get there, you’ll be in your element. And I have it on good authority they do a fabulous No Tai Mai Tai.”

Tally raised her eyes heavenward. “Lucky me.”

Em laughed. “You’re the queen of the mocktail these days.”

“I miss alcohol,” Tally said, sticking out her bottom lip in a half-wistful, half-playful mood.

“I’ve no idea how you do it, to be honest, babes.”

“How do you know I don’t keep a bottle of vodka under my pillow?”

Em laughed as a knock sounded at the front door. “Wouldn’t put it past you,” she said as she went to answer it.

Her greeting of David made Tally blush and turn away. It must have been exactly the same for Em whenever Tally and Cash locked lips. She winced at the memory. It didn’t seem to matter how much time passed—the pain of losing Cash refused to abate.

Paul hovered in the doorway behind Em and David. His ears had turned red as he watched his brother and Em make out.

Taking pity on him, Tally waved him forwards with a warm smile. “Hi, Paul. Just shove her in the back.”

Paul grinned, although he didn’t do as Tally suggested, instead sidling past the still-snogging pair. He thrust out his hand. “You must be Tally.” His handshake was as warm as his smile, and Tally’s nervousness dissipated.

“Come on in. I’ll get you a drink while these two… do whatever it is they’re doing.”

Paul snickered and followed her into the kitchen.

“We don’t have much,” Tally said with an apologetic smile as she held up a half-empty bottle of Bailey’s. “Em’s trying to be supportive by not keeping alcohol in the house, although she’ll get smashed tonight, no doubt.”

“I heard that.” Em sauntered into the kitchen, towing David behind her.

“Are you denying it’s true?”

“No.” Em swiped the Bailey’s out of Tally’s hand and poured three healthy measures. She handed round the drinks. “But still…”

Em’s attempt at putting on a hurt expression had Tally chuckling. “You don’t fool me with that look.”

“That’s the problem,” grumbled Em. “You know me too well.”

As they arrived at Trader Vic’s, Tally silently thanked Em for planning ahead. She’d booked them a table, which was just as well, considering the number of people waiting in line. With her swollen ankles, Tally wouldn’t have enjoyed queuing up.

The hostess showed them to a booth at the rear of the bar. Em and David immediately got their heads together, giggling at nothing, like those in new relationships tended to do.

“Thanks for agreeing to come along,” Paul said, handing her a drinks menu. “Three is definitely a crowd.”

“No problem, although I can’t promise I’ll be much fun. This one has put paid to that.” She pointed at her protruding belly.

“How far along are you?”

“A little over five months.”

“It’s very brave of you to have a child alone.”

When Tally gave him a surprised look, his mouth twisted in a crooked smile. “David told me. I hope you don’t mind.”

“There was only one choice,” she said with a shrug. “I’m hardly a pioneer.”

“I still think you’re being incredibly courageous.”

Tally smiled. “Tell me about Canada,” she said, anxious to divert the subject from one that made her heart clench. “I’ve never been. What made you move there?”

Paul’s face lit up. “My girlfriend. Her company offered her a transfer to their head office in Vancouver. We both jumped at the chance of living abroad. That was five years ago now, and I can’t imagine ever moving back to England.”

“Five years, and she’s still your girlfriend. You’re a lucky man.”

Paul laughed. “I know. She says the same thing. I’ll propose one day, but for now, we’re doing just fine as we are. Why rock the boat?”

“Indeed. As long as you’re both happy, that’s all that matters.”

They ordered their drinks, Tally going with Em’s suggestion of a No Tai Mai Tai. When the waitress brought them over, she took a sip.

“Hmm, not bad.”

Despite her original reticence, Tally began to enjoy herself. Paul was great company and also madly in love with his girlfriend, which eliminated any awkwardness that might have been present. Even when the waitress asked him if he was looking forward to being a father, Paul was unfazed and played along beautifully. When the waitress moved away, the two of them burst into fits of laughter.

“Want to go?” Em said later that evening when Tally had yawned for the third time.

“Do you mind?” Tally said. “I don’t want to spoil anyone’s night, but I’m exhausted.”

“I can take Tally home if you two would rather stay out,” Paul said.

“Thanks for the offer,” Em said. “But I’m kind of knackered myself. Let’s go and have coffee at my place.”

As the four of them left the bar and spilled out onto the busy Mayfair street, Tally stumbled over the step. Paul managed to catch her before she fell.

“If you’re like this sober, I’d love to see you drunk.” He slipped an arm around her waist to support her.

Tally glanced up at him. “Thanks for tonight. You’ve almost made me forget my troubles.”

“I’ve had a great time. You’re a top girl, Tally. Don’t you forget that.”

“I’ll try not to,” she said, reaching up to kiss his cheek.

“Hurry up, Tal, Paul,” Em said. “David’s managed to get a taxi.”

“Coming,” Tally said as she and Paul began to make their way to the taxi idling by the kerb. As she waited for Em to climb in, she sensed someone staring at her. With prickling skin, she scanned the opposite side of the street, and then she saw him.

Cash.