Page 34 of Outback Reunion

Gabi swallowed—she was such a terrible liar. ‘Um... he didn’t know him well. We met him once at a bar and we friended each other on Facebook.’

‘I see. That’s one of the wonders of social media,’ Eve said wistfully. ‘So many people that Lorenzo and I met decades ago, and I still think about them occasionally. If we’d had the internet and mobile phones back then we might still be in touch, but it was almost impossible relying on letters when we all moved so frequently.’

Bizarrely, it sounded like Eve might have bought Gabi’s story.

She breathed out her relief. ‘Yes. It’s nice to see him again, which is why I’ve agreed to meet him for a quick drink at the pub. Do you mind listening out for Luna? I won’t be long.’

Eve smiled. ‘Of course not. I’ll be happy to keep an ear out. In fact, why don’t I come over once I’ve got my PJs on and we can watch an episode ofFriendsbefore you go to sleep?’

Luna usually loved having a girls’ night with her granny, but didn’t even acknowledge Eve’s offer.

‘Why can’t I come with you?’ she whined.

Gabi should have anticipated this question. They rarely went anywhere separately. Even the girls’ nights usually involved the three of them, snuggling up in one of their caravans while Lorenzo and Dante—when he was alive—made themselves scarce.

‘Because pubs are no places for children,’ Eve told her firmly. ‘Now go start getting ready for bed. I might even bring ice cream.’

‘I’m almost eight. I don’t need a babysitter,’ Luna snapped, then stormed towards the exit, Princess pumping her little legs to keep up with her mistress. If there was a door, Gabi was certain her daughter would have slammed it. If this was almost eight, she was dreading almost eighteen.

She winced. ‘Sorry.’

Eve chuckled. ‘Don’t worry about her. She’ll be fine. You have a good night catching up with your friend, darling.’ She leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. ‘You deserve it.’

Gabi still wasn’t sure whether Eve believed the story about Mark being Dante’s friend, but at least she wasn’t going to question it.

Luna was sitting on the bed sulking—allher dogs surrounding her—when Gabi entered the caravan after putting Loud Mouth into his night cage.

‘Weetbix or toast, or are you just going to eat all of Granny’s ice cream?’ she asked, deciding not to comment on the dogs, who were supposed to be in their crates outside as well.

‘If you’re friends on Facebook,’ Luna said, her tone suspicious as she hugged Cruella tightly to her chest, ‘then why’d you need Mark’s phone number? How come you couldn’t just message him.’

Oh boy. Why did kids these days have to be so switched on?

‘I forgot,’ Gabi said, then snuck into the bathroom to get ready.

Not wanting to leave Mark waiting any longer than necessary, she didn’t bother removing her stage make-up, but took off her leotard and then pulled the yellow maxi dress over her head.

Luna hadn’t moved an inch when she emerged. Gabi marched across to the bed, dodged the dogs that were surrounding her daughter like throw pillows and kissed her on the forehead. ‘I won’t be long, but Granny should be here soon. Be good for her.Please?’

Luna didn’t grant her a reply and Gabi tried not to let her animosity bother her as she walked through the lot towards the main road. She’d be fine with Eve. If Gabi gave in to guilt and the need to keep her child happy, she’d end up standing Mark up again.

And she didn’t want to do that—for either of them.

For the next half-hour, she’d just have to put Luna out of her mind and make it up to her later. A short time away from her didn’t make her a bad mother, did it?

As she approached the area where she kept her car, she saw a man standing just outside the temporary fencing that surrounded the lot. His hands were resting casually in his pockets and the bottom of his shirt blew up a little in the warm evening wind. Because it was now dark with only a nearby streetlamp casting a glow around them, she couldn’t make out his face, but she recognised him anyway.

Mark.Even his silhouette was sexy.

As if sensing her presence, he turned and lifted his hand in a wave. ‘Hey, Gabriela.’

Just the way he said her name sent ridiculous shivers down her spine.

‘You look beautiful,’ he whispered as she hurried over to him.

When was the last time someone had said such a thing?

‘Thanks. You didn’t have to wait for me. I told you I’d meet you there.’

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