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‘Maybe I’m being foolish, but it feels right. Even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else,’ I say quietly.

The girls stare at me.

‘Well,’ Tess says, exchanging another glance with Elodie. ‘I hope you know what you’re doing.’

Averting my eyes, I take a long swig of my wine, finishing the glass.

I certainly do not know what I am doing.

I rub my hands up and down my bare arms as the cool breeze brushes my skin. My headphones fill my ears with music. The air smells faintly of barbecue smoke drifting from someone’s backyard. I let my legs carry me without thinking too much, just wanting to clear my head after dinner. Tess and Elodie had a lot to say, and part of me still can’t believe I told them everything. My chest still burns from memories of last night. I will never forget it. One of my hottest, wildest fantasies came to life and I can’t stop thinking about it. I also can’t wait to see Ash again.

A buzz in my pocket interrupts my thoughts. I pull my phone out, seeing a new email from work. Dread accumulates in my gut at the thought of returning to my boring life back in Mariner’s Bay.

Hey Bryn, can I confirm whether you’re back next week?

There’s a client meeting we need you for.

Let me know if that works.

I frown, thumb poised over the screen. A client meeting. Back in Brisbane. Back to the chaos of deadlines and traffic and expectations that I’ve been trying to forget since I got here. Stepping off the path, I turn my music up louder and lean against a lamppost. I don’t want to go back yet. I don’t want to leave this quiet street, its soft buzz of cicadas. More accurately, I don’t want to be away from Ash or my friends again.

Swiping the email app closed, I stick the phone back in my pocket. Responsibilities can wait. For now, I need a time out. The wind picks up and I push forward, letting the rhythm of my steps match the beat in my headphones.

My phone vibrates again and I exhale, a little reluctant to check it, but to my surprise, it’s a direct message from AshOfNight. I pause mid-step, unsure if I want to open it or pretend I didn’t see it. Ultimately, curiosity wins.

Ash: So, how’s the weather where you are?

My cheeks warm despite the cool night air. I scroll down, fingers trembling slightly, and there’s another message.

Ash: Did you wear that colour for me?

I glance up suddenly, scanning the area around me. Ash always used to say how much he loved me in red, though I’d always avoided the colour as I thought it clashed with my hair. My eyes drift down to my crop top and gym shorts – a matching red set. Resisting a smile – because of course I wear a lot of red now – I sweep the area again, trying to see where he is.

Bryn: Still doing that whole stalking thing, then.

‘Only for you.’

Spinning on my heels, I turn to see Ash standing right behind me, close enough that I have to tilt my head back to look at him properly. He’s turn-your-head-to-look kind of tall, with broad shoulders beneath a black tee that clings to his hard body. He used to be lean, whereas now he has a lot of muscle. His hair is darker than I remember too, now falling messily across his forehead, and his jaw is sharper, more defined. He’s only gotten more attractive as he’s aged. His bright blue eyes are still intense. There’s a broody edge to him that has always been there.

‘Jesus, Ash,’ I breathe, clutching my phone to my chest. ‘Do you ever announce yourself, or is giving people a heart attack something you enjoy doing?’

A lazy grin curves his mouth. ‘Where’s the fun in that?’

I swallow, suddenly very aware of how close he is, and the way his gaze dips down to my red outfit before meeting my eyes again.

‘You didn’t answer the question,’ he drawls. ‘Did you wear it for me?’

I scoff, crossing my arms, but my heart is racing, and I know my cheeks are flushed. ‘Don’t flatter yourself.’

His eyes flick to my crossed arms, then back to my face. ‘You always do that when you’re lying.’

I bristle. ‘You don’t know me anymore.’

Something shifts in his expression. It becomes softer and darker all at once. I think I hit a nerve.

‘Maybe not,’ he says quietly. ‘But I know that.’

The air around us feels hard to breathe in, charged with the familiar crackle of tension that’s always between us. This is the first time I’ve seen him like this in years. As himself. Not the person who hides behind a character. Not the person lurking in shadows, chasing me through dark corridors. Memories and anger and unresolved everything crash together in my chest.