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He could not have said anything to annoy her more. For it was so insincere! She found a smile as wry as his. ‘You always did know what to say to turn a girl’s head, Lance. But, tell me, what are you doing here? Is Bud expecting you?’
‘No.’
‘You do realise it’s his birthday today, don’t you?’ she said archly. ‘And that we’re having a party in his honour.’
‘Yes, of course. That’s why I came.’
She frowned down at the bag at his feet. ‘You look like you’re aiming to stay for longer than the party.’
‘For a night or two. But only if Bud has room. I can just as easily go to a nearby motel for the night. I have my car.’
She frowned some more. ‘Are you saying you drove up from Melbourne just because it’s Bud’s birthday?’
‘Partly.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘It means, Angie, my sweet, that my wife and I have agreed to a divorce and I felt the sudden need to get away and see old friends again.’
Angie congratulated herself on taking this news so nonchalantly. At least on the exterior. ‘You’ve left your wife?’
‘Aah, now, I didn’t say that. She left me, actually.’
‘Why?’
His casual air suddenly dropped, irritation flaring. ‘For pity’s sake, Angie, must I stand here answering questions? I’ve just driven all the way from Melbourne. I’m stiff as a board and damned tired. I need a shower and a drink. Your mother wouldn’t have left me languishing on the doorstep like this. She would have given me a big hug and bundled me inside, post-haste.’
‘Indeed. Well, I’m not my mother, am I? And I’m more into kissing than hugging. Would you like to kiss me hello, Lance?’ she taunted, thrilling to the foolishness of her words.
He stared at her. ‘Are you drunk or something?’
‘No,’ But I’d like to be, came the savage thought.
‘Then why are you acting like this?’
‘Like what?’
‘So unlike yourself.’
She laughed. ‘How would you know what I’m like these days? The only Angie you ever knew was just a kid—a silly, impressionable kid who once thought the sun shone out of you.’
‘Well, it’s perfectly clear you don’t any more,’ he muttered testily.
She could hardly believe her ears. He was actually sounding disappointed that her once obvious hero-worship of him had disappeared.
‘Oh, do stop scowling, Lance, and come inside. I’ll go get Bud for you.’
Bud was as amazed as she was.
‘Good God. Lance? Here?’
‘His wife’s left him,’ she whispered to her brother.
‘Hmm. Doesn’t take too many guesses to work out why. I always said Lance was never cut out for monogamy.’
‘Apparently he drove all the way from Melbourne today because he wanted to celebrate your birthday with you. Says he also wants to stay the night.’
‘Well, of course he can stay the night. He’s my friend! Go tell Loretta we have an overnight visitor, will you, Angie?’ And he raced off towards the front hall.
Loretta was back in the kitchen, this time loading the dishwasher. She took the news of Lance’s unexpected arrival and anticipated stay as cheerfully as Angie’s mother would have, giving Angie new insight into why she and Bud were so compatible.
‘How nice for Bud. He hasn’t seen Lance since his wedding.’
‘Neither have I,’ Angie said.
Something in her tone brought a sharp look from her sister-in-law. ‘You’re not still carrying a torch for him, are you?’
Angie blinked her surprise, and Loretta smiled softly. ‘One would have had to be deaf, dumb and blind at that wedding not to know you were heartbroken that day. Bud told me later that he tried to make you see that Lance wasn’t the right man for any girl, let alone his much-loved sister. Did he succeed?’
Angie shrugged. ‘I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I still find him awfully attractive. But I’m cured of anything more.’
‘I hope so. Married men are always trouble.’
‘He says he’s getting a divorce.’
‘That’s as popular as the cheque’s in the mail,’ Loretta said drily.
