“So, no Friday night cocktails tonight, girls? What’s the world coming to?” Danny says to Andrea and I, as we lounge on the couch at my place. “Not that I’m complaining, though,” he adds, “How do you like the kombucha?”

“It’s interesting…” Andrea says, taking a sip.

“I like it. But I’m not sure I’d swap it for cocktails every Friday night.” I give Danny a wink.

“Enjoy me while you can,” Andrea says. “I’m being picked up soon.”

“Oh?” I ask.

She grins. “Yeah, Ricardo. He left his phone in an Uber and then he was travelling for work. Hence the radio silence!”

“I knew there’d be an explanation,” I cry out. “I hope he made it up to you.”

“Yeah… you could say that,” she says with one of cat got the cream expressions.

“Not more hot tub antics?” Danny teases her.

She gives me a look.

“I didn’t think it was a secret!” I protest.

“She’s just jealous.” Danny chuckles. “She’s been having sexy hot tub dreams about her and Jackson ever since you told her that story.”

“Oi!” I say, but Danny and Andrea are laughing their asses off.

“Haven’t you ever had sex in a hot tub before?” Andrea asks me.

I shake my head, feeling like the most innocent person alive. “So, are you going to take Ricardo as your plus one to Pam’s wedding?” I ask her.

“Oh, I don’t know, that’s months away yet. Where’s Nina tonight, anyway?”

“You two are really good at avoiding questions you don’t want to answer,” Danny observes. “But yeah, but where is the lovely Nina?”

“On a date,” I say, mysteriously.

“Surprise, surprise,” Andrea remarks, smiling. “Who’s the unfortunate man tonight who we’re going to hear picked apart tomorrow, then?”

“I hope that won’t be the case,” I say, “It might be a little awkward. She’s on a date with Matthew.”

“Oh, you set them up. How fun!” Danny beams, clapping his hands.

“Well, I’ll look forward to hearing how that goes,” Andrea says. Her phone pings at that moment and I see her eyes light up. “Better go,” she says. “He’s here.”

We wave her off and settle back down on the couch. I pat the empty space she’s left for Draco to come and join us then give him a little help as he struggles to make it up.

“Aw poor Draco,” Danny says, giving him a rub.

“He’s doing really well, actually. We took him on a nice slow walk this morning before work. He even had a bit of a jog at the end of it.”

Draco turns on his back and Danny rubs his stomach too. “No wonder you’re tired old boy.” He looks up at me. “So, you made up with Jackson, then?”

“Yes,” I say, beaming with relief. “He apologized to Matthew. We hung out last night after he played softball. He said sorry for being an idiot. And look what he sent me at work today!” I reach into my bag and take out the little box of artisan heart-shaped Belgian dark chocolates.

Danny coos at the beautiful little box and then reads the card attached:

“I thought you were going to a ball tomorrow?”

“I guess we’re staying somewhere after this ball thing with his folks. I’ll be packing more than just a toothbrush if that’s the case.”

“Oh, how romantic!” Danny says dreamily.

“I suppose it is, but I’m getting more and more nervous about tomorrow night though.”

“You’ll be fine.”

“I guess… well, I think I’m going to get an early night anyway. What time do you want to leave tomorrow morning?

“Around nine?” he says tentatively.

“Oh yeah, that’s fine. I was worried you were going to say six o’clock or something.”

He rubs his hands together. “Nah, we’re nearly there. Not long until the grand opening now.”

“I’m so proud of you,” I tell him, giving him a hug over Draco who’s now snoring softly. “It’s such an achievement and you did it all by yourself!”

“I had a lot of help. A great team of volunteers. And of course, we’ve got Andrea to thank for the final influx of cash.”

“Not such a bad person after all,” I say, winking.

He grins. “Yeah, you’re right. I got her wrong. I just didn’t know her well enough, I guess.”

“Well, I think Ricardo has been a good influence too. Softened her up a bit!”

“Yeah, I want to meet this mystery man!”

“Me too. I hope she brings him to the wedding.”

“Aw, I wish I was going,” he says, pulling a face.

I’m disappointed that Pam didn’t invite him. “She wanted to so much but they’re so tight on numbers and they had to draw the line somewhere,” I say, touching his arm.

“It’s ok. I understand. I do love a good wedding though,” he says, grinning.

“We’re going to get our bridesmaids dresses fitted next week. They’re so pretty. I can’t wait.”

“You girls are going to look amazing. Now stop rubbing it in.”

“Sorry darling. Anyway, I’m sure we’ll meet Ricardo before then. Andrea did say she might bring him out one Friday night with us.”

“I hope so. She’s so elusive about him.”

“I know! But I did get a glimpse of him the other night. He dropped her off when we met for dinner on Wednesday.”

“What did you see?”

“He was wearing a suit and sunglasses so hard to say, but was tall and had a very confident air about him. Sort of a swagger to him, if you know what I mean. And he was driving a really fancy car. Bentley, I think.”

“That figures.” Danny sniggers. “She’s got expensive taste, that one.”