‘How romantic.’ Bette pressed her hands to her chest and swooned a little. ‘Better than any of those crap movies I stream.’
‘This is better than a movie because it’s real life.’ Taj locked eyes with Ferne, and the tenderness in his eyes made her chest tighten with emotion. ‘How lucky are we?’
‘Very,’ Ferne murmured, as the doorbell rang again.
‘Go answer that while I interrogate my new friend.’ Bette made a shooing motion with her hands and when Taj left the room, she turned to Ferne. ‘How freaky is this?’
‘I know. My head is spinning, to be honest.’
‘Taj and I became friends through a mutual acquaintance a few years ago, and we catch up occasionally. So imagine my surprise when he told me about your connection and that you were coming to lunch.’ Bette’s expression turned pensive. ‘There’s not enough good stuff in this awful world we live in, so you two reuniting has restored my faith in humanity somewhat.’
Before Ferne could respond, Taj strolled back into the dining area, brandishing white plastic bags.
‘While I didn’t lie about my legendary rice paper rolls, I didn’t have time to make them because I was busy this morning.’ He shot Ferne a loaded look that heated her cheeks again. ‘So I’ve ordered takeaway, enough to feed a small army.’ He glanced over his shoulder. ‘You can bring the rest in here, thanks.’
‘No worries, Taj,’ said a man with a striking low voice, and as he stepped into view, Ferne’s heart stopped.
Taj had ordered takeaway from Jesse.
‘Are you okay, honey?’ Bette squeezed Ferne’s arm, but she couldn’t feel it, and her friend’s voice sounded like it came from a million miles away as she stared at the man who’d stolen everything from her.
Ferne managed to mumble, ‘I’m feeling a tad queasy.’
Jesse seemed to gather his wits first, as he pretended like he hadn’t seen her.
‘Here you go, Taj.’ He placed bags on the benchtop and mumbled something to Taj before scurrying away without a backward glance.
Coward.
Though what did she expect, for him to stay so she could confront him in front of an audience?
Taj hadn’t noticed the weird stand-off between Ferne and Jesse, and as he busied himself taking containers out of the bags, she struggled to her feet and reached for her crutches. ‘I need to go home,’ she murmured, hoping she could pull off the acting role of the century and leave before she burst into tears.
‘I’ll take you,’ Bette said, but Ferne shook her head.
‘I’ll get an Uber.’
‘I’m taking you,’ Bette said, firmer this time. ‘I know we haven’t known each other long, but what sort of a friend would I be if I let you get home on your own while you’re sick?’
Ferne didn’t have the strength to argue. Besides, she didn’t want Taj offering to take her home, because then she’d collapse into a snivelling heap for sure.
‘Taj, Ferne isn’t feeling well, so I’m taking her home.’
Taj’s head snapped up. ‘Ferne, sweetheart, are you okay?’
‘Just feeling a bit faint and queasy … It’s probably nothing, but I want to lie down.’
Solicitous, he came towards her. ‘You can lie down here, if you like? I know it’ll be difficult climbing the stairs but there’s a comfy sofa in the living room. Or there’s a guest bedroom downstairs you could use.’
‘I’d rather go home,’ she said, her quivering voice earning concerned glances from Bette and Taj. ‘I’ll call you later, okay?’
‘Let me take you,’ he said, reaching out to cup her cheek. ‘I’m worried about you.’
‘I’m sure I’ll feel better after a rest.’ She forced a smile and when he leaned closer, she whispered, ‘Maybe a lack of sleep last night has made me feel a little under the weather?’
‘Then it’s my fault and I should definitely take you home,’ he said, but she shook her head.
‘Bette can drop me off then come straight back and make a dent in that food, along with your other friends. And you can save me leftovers, because I’m sure I’ll be fine by tonight and maybe you can bring some over?’ She hoped the invitation might appease him, just in case he thought she was giving him the brush-off.
