Short Soup(7)

A fresh, green smell filtered in as the night air breezed through the ferns. She stood, riveted by the realisation that she was standing in Dion’s embrace, longing for his kiss. Was this what she’d always secretly wanted yet never had the courage to admit to herself? Perhaps she was just confusing sympathy for sexual arousal. Surely Dion wouldn’t hold her like this if he was just commiserating with her? But maybe this was how he comforted all his female friends when they had relationship breakups. Yes, that was more likely.

Still, she didn’t want this moment to end. She wanted it to develop into something more. She started to rise up on her toes, all her concentration fixed on Dion’s lips. As she did so, Dion’s eyes widened. He couldn’t mistake her intent. He froze, his stilled fingers entangled in her hair.

From the nearby kitchen, sandals clacked on the tiled floor. The sliding door to the back porch whined open.

“Toni? Dion?” Pearl called out. “Where are you?”

Toni jerked away from Dion. His arms fell to his sides while he remained still, staring at her. Was his chest heaving as much as hers?

Pearl stepped forward. “Why so dark out here? What you two doing?”

“Nothing, just talking,” Toni muttered. As she moved past Dion, his bare arm brushed against hers. The heat of his skin lit a sizzle up her arm, sending a wobble through her knees. Oh God, what if her mum had caught her kissing Dion? What would she have said?

“Come inside.” Pearl’s gaze darted between the two of them. “I’m making tea for everyone.”

Dion cleared his throat. “Thanks, Auntie, but not for me. I’d better get going. I’ve got a long day tomorrow.”

“Ah, you want help, just call,” Pearl said. “Toni can help too.”

“No, no. I’ve got everything under control. Thanks for dinner.” He gave Pearl’s shoulder a quick squeeze then glanced back at Toni. “See you later.”

She’d barely said goodbye before he hurried through the kitchen. A short time later she heard the front door shut. He’d raced out of here as if his pants were on fire. Toni swiped the back of her hand across her sweaty forehead. She was all hot and flushed, her legs still unsteady. What would have happened if she had succeeded in planting one on his lips? Would he have kissed her back or pushed her away? The idea of Dion rejecting her made her nerves shrivel. She valued his friendship deeply. She’d be stupid to risk it just because she couldn’t control her urges. No, the next time she felt like kissing Dion she would have to bite her tongue to stop herself. She was obviously bad at picking lovers, but she wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise what she had with Dion.





Chapter 4


Toni laughed as the beaming toddler staggered towards her, clutching the ball she’d tossed to him. The eighteen-month-old was her friend Becky’s first child and totally adorable.

“Oh, Charlie.” Toni scooped him up in her arms. “You are too cute for words.”

Giggling, Charlie squirmed out of her hold, bending to pluck a handful of grass which he tossed to his mother before toddling off. “He’s great, but it’s a nightmare keeping him in sight,” Becky said with a rueful smile. “I thought it was stressful when he was just a baby, but now that he’s walking he can be off in a flash if I’m not careful.”

Toni patted her friend’s hand. “I’m in awe. I don’t know how you manage.”

It was midday, and she’d popped round to visit her old friend from high school. Becky had never left Piper Bay. She had married her high school sweetheart and bought a house less than a kilometre from where she’d grown up. Despite her declarations of tiredness, Becky looked marvellous. Marriage and motherhood obviously agreed with her.

Charlie pulled off his blue sun hat and threw it on the lawn. Becky replaced it, and he promptly whipped it off again, grinning mischievously.

“Dion invited me and Rob to the opening party tonight,” Becky said as she retrieved the sun hat. “Pity we can’t go. My parents are away, and I don’t trust anyone else to babysit Charlie.” She advanced on her son who careened out of reach, chuckling with glee as he made for the nearby sand pit. The entire back yard of Becky’s house appeared to be devoted to Charlie. There was a tricycle, swing set, sand pit, and scattered toys everywhere. “I so wanted to go too. I think it’s wonderful the way Dion’s managed to turn his life around.”

Toni gave her friend a puzzled look. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, you know. For a while there he was hanging out with the wrong crowd.”

“What crowd was that?”

Charlie tripped over a bucket and landed face-first in the sand pit. As his face screwed up and his lower lip trembled, Becky was already at his side, dusting away the sand sticking to his mouth. “I didn’t know any of them very well. I just know they weren’t interested in much else besides surfing and doing drugs.”

A chill slid down Toni’s spine. “Dion’s not into drugs.”

“Not any more, thank God.” Becky hefted the toddler onto her hip and moved towards Toni. “I guess you weren’t aware of it. You were away at uni at the time.” She paused, her expression altering as she took in Toni’s shock. “Uh, perhaps I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I just assumed you already knew because you and Dion were always thick as thieves.”

Feeling ill, Toni shook her head. “I knew he was a bit lost, spent most of his time surfing but …” She fell silent, disturbed by Becky’s casual revelation.

“Hey, it was a while ago, and Dion’s got his act together now. I only saw him hanging out with these losers a couple of times. I’m sure Dion wasn’t heavily involved with them. He’s always had lots of friends. These were probably just friends of friends, you know, acquaintances.” Becky chewed her lip. “Shoot. Now I wish I’d kept my mouth shut.”

“No, I’m sure it was just a passing phase, and it’s been years now.” Toni made herself smile to reassure Becky. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything.”

“Thanks.” Becky looked relieved. “I like Dion a lot. Rob and I have been going to the Happy Palace for ages, and when Dion takes over we’ll go even more often.” With Charlie still in her arms she moved inside the house. Toni followed and slipped onto a stool at the kitchen bench, watching as her friend cut up an apple for her son, but her mind was still preoccupied.

“I’ve sometimes wondered about you and Dion.” Becky gave her a calculating look. “You’re chalk and cheese, but I think you’d make a great couple.”

Toni’s fingers gripped the granite bench. An image of her almost kissing Dion last night seared across her brain. “Oh please, don’t go there.” That’s all she needed. Other people giving her encouragement when she was already in danger of embarrassing herself.

“Why not? You’re both single.”

Toni pulled a face. “And that’s your only criterion?”

“You know what I mean.” Shrugging, Becky held out another apple slice for Charlie. “You and Dion complement each other, and besides, he’s pretty hot, you have to admit that.”

Yes, he was hotter than Hades, but she wasn’t going to admit anything, especially if it had a chance of getting back to Dion. “I’m not looking for a serious relationship, and Dion definitely isn’t.”

“You don’t have to have a serious relationship.” Becky winked at her. “What’s wrong with a quick fling?”

Toni smothered a choke. “You obviously don’t remember our parents too well.” She got to her feet, reaching for her handbag and car keys. “I’d better leave before this conversation gets out of hand.”

“I’m a happily married woman,” Becky protested. “All I have for drama are my friends’ love lives.”

“Not this friend.” She bent to plant a kiss on Charlie’s sweet-smelling hair. “Goodbye, Charlie. Tell your mother to behave.”

Becky laughed. “Come back. I was just kidding.”

But Toni wasn’t taking any chances. With a wave and a hug, she took her leave.


“Let’s hope everything goes well tonight,” Toni’s father said to her.

They were standing outside the Happy Palace, waiting for Toni’s mother who had popped across the street to buy something from the pharmacy. The restaurant was slap-bang in the middle of the town centre, a prime location now that Piper Bay had expanded. Through the windows of the restaurant Toni could see a sizeable crowd had already gathered for the relaunch party. Her father smoothed down his carefully combed hair and fidgeted with his tie, all the while glancing anxiously at the restaurant.

“You’re not nervous, are you?” Toni asked in surprise.

Shen nodded, a little sheepish. “A bit. I want Dion to do well.”

“I’m amazed you haven’t been in there all day helping him to prepare.”

“He asked me and Kai to let him do it with his own staff. Your Uncle Kai can’t help interfering.” Shen shrugged. “But I stay away.”

It must have been torture for him. “Are you regretting giving up the restaurant?” she asked.