Page 73 of Fast Forward

Yep. He was one of Will’s arch enemies and instigator of the whole Kick Me Post-it note craze. “Yeah, I did. Well, I’m very happy for you both,” I replied. Poor woman. “How did you know who I was?”

“Your photo on the cover of Beaute magazine last month.”

“Oh, right. Thanks,” I said, wondering if she noticed that the cover shot had been photo-shopped to death. My jaw line had been sliced and chiselled to the point where if I really looked like that, I wouldn’t have room inside my mouth for a set of teeth.

I pressed my sticky name tag onto the right side of my chest, up high enough near my shoulder to prevent the usual chest-staring from guys with the excuse they were just trying to read my name tag. I almost considered slapping it on my forehead, then they might at least look me in the eyes.

I wandered into the balloon-filled function room, my eyes searching for one person only, finding everyone but him. What if he wasn’t coming?

I’d never thought of that until now. It would make sense, I mean he wasn’t the most popular guy in school, far from it, so why would he want to revisit the past? But Will did say I was wearing this dress the night we met up again, so it either had to be tonight, or I’d have to wear this dress every night until I found him.

I weaved my way through the crowd, stopping here and there to greet people I recognised, until my eyes travelled to the far corner of the room. Near a table of drinks stood a guy with his back to me wearing a light grey shirt over black pants and cropped brown hair. His head tipped back as he downed a drink and then he turned around.

It was him. It was my Will. Well, he wasn’t mine yet, but that was just a technicality, it would only be a matter of time. Or not. Who said it was important to take things slow, anyway?

My eyes fixed on the target, I waltzed over and stopped in front of him. “Hi, Will.” A smile sliced across my face and his eyebrows rose.

“Kelli? Hi, how are you?” He tucked his hands into his pockets.

“I’m great, you?”

“I’m great too.”

“That’s great.”

“Yeah, it is great.”

Oh c’mon, Kelli! Two nights ago you were practically ripping him out of his Superman costume and now you can’t even hold a decent conversation? I opened my mouth to ask him a question, when a guy came up and slapped Will on the back. Why did guys always hit each other to show their affection? No nice soft hugs, they just whacked and nudged and slapped each other silly.

“If it isn’t the one and only McSmelly! Didn’t think I’d see you here tonight.”

“Cody.” Will acknowledged him with a brief nod.

“And look at you, Kelli Crawford – still as stunning as ever. Trapped at the drink table with McSmelly, are you? Don’t worry,” he winked, “just pretend there’s a call you need to take and make a run for it. He’ll be none the wiser.” Cody chuckled and grabbed a drink from the table, swigging it down his throat in one gulp.

“Actually, I’m talking to Will here, so if you don’t mind?” I cocked my head to the side, gesturing for him to get the hell away from us.

“Huh.” His eyes widened and he crossed his arms. “Well, I know when I’m not wanted. Which isn’t often, by the way.” He winked and nudged Will sharply in the ribs. “I think I’ll go and see my lovely wife. After I’ve danced with my old flame, that is.” He shot a glance towards the gorgeous Lucy Montgomery and swaggered in her direction.

“Idiot,” I said.

“Yeah, some people never grow up,” Will remarked.

“Ah, Will?” I grasped his shoulder and turned his body around.

“Oh, don’t tell me, not again.”

“Yep, ’fraid so.” I plucked a Post-it note with Kick Me written on it from his back.

Will shook his head and sighed. Then he glanced at me. “Thanks for that.”

“No problem,” I said. “So, what do you do these days?”

“I’m in business,” he replied, taking his hands out of his pockets. “Actually, I’m an employee, but I help businesses. I’m a consultant to various corporations on management skills, start-up planning and techniques for boosting efficiency and productivity.” He nodded with pride. “I’d like to eventually run my own business, but for now I’m getting as much experience as possible.”

“Sounds like an important job to me. I might need your services one day,” I said, adding a subtle glint to my eye.

“Really? But I thought you were involved in modelling.”

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