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Angie’s rueful smile hid a wealth of remembered misery. ‘Silly me. But it was Bud who finally put the nail in the coffin of my one-sided love that day, when he told me that Lance had been voted Superstud of the Year at the party his faculty had held the previous night. Seems he’d had more girlfriends in the past three years than porcupines have prickles. The redhead was the latest—acquired at that very same party. Bud was already taking bets with his mates on how long she would last.’
‘Hmm. Maybe you had a lucky escape, Angie— getting out with only being kissed. He could have screwed you and your life good and proper if he’d wanted to. You have to give him some credit for not taking advantage of your youthful hormones.’
‘Yes, I did think of that. Eventually. I also believed I’d finally forgiven and forgotten, or at least gotten over him... till I literally ran into him in Sydney one day during my second year at university. I had a mid-morning lecture and my train had been late. I dashed out of Wynard Station, and was racing along the street for a bus when I collided with this man. You can imagine my surprise when I realised who belonged to the strong hands which reached out to steady me. I think Lance was just as surprised.’
‘My God!’ he gasped. ‘Angie...’
Angie tried not to stare at him. But he looked so handsome, dressed in dark trousers and a cream sports jacket. And so sophisticated. Only twenty-seven, but the university graduate was gone forever, replaced by the elegant man-about-town he had always promised to be.
She hated her tongue-tiedness; she hated the way she couldn’t stop staring at him; she hated the way her heart was instantly yearning and hoping once more. She hadn’t gotten over him at all. Not for a moment.
His blue gaze swept over her, taking in her typical student dress of jeans and T-shirt, a canvas backpack slung over one shoulder, battered trainers on her feet. ‘I see you made it to uni,’ he said. ‘Did you get into the course you wanted?’
‘Yes,’ was all she could manage. She’d pictured such a chance encounter happening ever since coming to Sydney, had run over in her mind how she would act. So cool, so casually indifferent.
But there was nothing cool or casually indifferent in the way she was gobbling him up with her eyes. Or the way her heart was pounding behind her ribs. God, what a fool she was!
‘You’re looking well, Angie,’ he said. ‘I was sorry I couldn’t make it to Bud’s wedding last month. I’ve been overseas on business. And I’m sorry I can’t stay and talk. I’m on my way to meet someone.’
‘Oh, that’s all right. I can’t stay either. I’m late too. Look after yourself. Bye.’ And she was off, almost running.
‘Where are you staying?’ he called after her.
Her heart leapt as she ground to a halt and turned around. Oh, God, he wasn’t going to ask her out, was he? Please, God, let him ask me out, she prayed.
‘I need to know your address so that I can send you an invitation,’ he elaborated.
‘Invitation?’ she repeated weakly.
‘For my wedding. I’m getting married in October.’
‘Oh...’ Did she look as stricken as she felt? She must have, for suddenly he looked awfully apologetic.
His obvious pity was the saving of her.
Somewhere she found a smile, a bright, breezy smile to hide her inner weeping. ‘Fancy that! Married! Well, congratulations. Look, why don’t you send the invitation to Bud’s place? I keep changing my digs. Must go, Lance. See you on your big day!’
* * *
‘Surely you didn’t go!’ Vanessa exclaimed in appalled tones, glaring at her over the table.
Angie shrugged her admission.
‘Gees, girl, you’re a glutton for punishment!’
‘You can say that again. What Lance can do for a dinner suit is criminal.’
‘Why on earth did you go?’
Angie expelled a weary sigh. ‘Curiosity, I guess. I wanted to see the woman who’d snared him. Besides, the whole family had been invited, including Mum and Dad. I really couldn’t get out of it without having to answer some darned awkward questions.’
‘And?’
‘Sheer perfection, the bride was. Like a Dresden doll and just as expensive. I hated her on sight and worshipped Lance all the more. It was the worst day of my life.’
