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“Did James get on with him?”
“Oh, one hundred percent no. It was the first and only time James has ever gotten into a fight.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Really?”
“Yeah, it was just before Maddie found out she was pregnant. James arrived at her house and said Blue was there, banging on the door.”
“Blue?” It’s a strange name.
“He’s a redhead and Australian. The Aussies sometimes call redheads Blue.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Maddie had told him to get lost, but he wouldn’t leave her alone. He was drunk, I think. He was yelling and broke a window or something, then when James tried to manhandle him off the property, Blue punched him.”
“Shit. What did James do?”
“Gave him a right hook and knocked him flat, then rang the police, who came and took him away. I don’t think Blue did time for it, but he hasn’t been back since.”
“Wow. I can’t imagine James being violent.”
He smiles as Missie comes back over with her drink. “We all become Neanderthals when the women we love are threatened.”
I sigh. “It must be nice to have someone to look after you like that.”
“Aw,” Missie says, “you’ll find someone soon, I’m sure.” Pointedly, she looks over at James while she sips her drink.
“Not while you’re working together,” Alex states. “That’s one policy I do put my foot down on at Kia Kaha.”
“Ooh,” Missie says, “I love it when you do that.”
He looks down at her and murmurs something in her ear, and she giggles.
I roll my eyes. “I need a drink.” I walk off, smiling, leaving the two of them to start dancing together.
I try to forget about my worries for the rest of the evening. Panicking won’t help, and I don’t get to go to parties like this very often. So I reassure myself that at least I have some money coming in over the next few weeks, and spend the evening dancing with the girls and occasionally with the guys.
And, of course, working at Kia Kaha means I’ll get to spend some time with James. I can’t deny I’m looking forward to that. Even though I still think he should have woken me before he left that morning, his story touched my heart, and Alex’s confirmation that James’s sister leans on him means a lot. I’ve seen many new mums struggle, so I know how hard it can be, and just because someone can afford a nanny doesn’t mean they don’t find the process of having a newborn hard, as Maddie has proven. I feel for her, and I’m glad she has her brother to help her.
I have a great time, and it’s around two a.m. when Gaby comes over and says, “A group of us are taking the minivan back to the hotel now. Do you want to come?”
I nod, tired and more than ready for bed. All around us, people are starting to head back to cars and taxis. I say goodnight to Damon and give Belle a big hug, and wish her luck for her big day tomorrow. Then I follow Gaby and Tyson to the minivan and climb on board.
At the last minute, James bounds up the steps and swings into the seat beside me. “Wow,” he says as the van driver closes the doors, “I only just made that.”
I smile at him. “Have you had a good evening?”
“Yeah.” He smiles back. “It got much better after our conversation.”
“I’m glad. What time are you going to the Heights tomorrow? You’re a groomsman, right?”
“Yeah. I’m heading over to Damon’s apartment at midday with Henry and Tyson. We’ll get dressed there. What are you up to in the morning?”
“I’m going to do what I did today—go to the gym, have a swim, and then just chill out in my room.”
“Good,” he says. “Get some rest. I’m going to work you hard.”
I open my mouth to reply, but nothing comes out as his words conjure up images of exactly what working me hard might entail.
