Page 8 of One Weekend in Sydney

“No, thank you. We’re square now, right?”

“Absolutely.”

“Great! See you when you get here.”

“Yup. Bye.” I hang up, thoroughly satisfied. I’ll have plenty of time to find Tara in that big crowd.

Does she even know what to expect at the event?

And why do I feel this sudden need to ensure she’s safe and happy tonight?

ChapterFour

TARA

Iget to Wharf 2, and my heart starts beating faster. It’s empty. Where’s the boat? And where are the other VIP ticket holders?

I fish my phone out of my shoulder bag. Did I get the wharf number wrong? I double-check the digital ticket.

Damn it! The boat left at six-thirty—fifteen minutes ago. I thought it was due to leave at seven, the same as the Wild Boys showboat. How on earth did I make that mistake?

I’m super annoyed, but I force myself to calm down. It’s not the end of the world. I could walk up to the wharf at Barangaroo and take the public ferry to the Sydney Olympic Park Wharf. Then, I could get an Uber for the ten-minute drive to the venue. Luckily, the event doesn’t start until eight.

Or would it be better to catch an Uber from here, considering my outfit?

Nah. The traffic will be horrendous, especially on a Friday night.

I guess I could still join the girls at the Wild Boys showboat…

I shake my head. No. It’s not an option if I want to keep Eric out of the mayoral seat. That man can’t be trusted with the future of our region. Unfortunately, I’m the only one running against him.

Plus, who knows? Mason might be working on the showboat, too. That reason alone is enough for me to cross off that option.

Letting out a heavy breath, I decide to catch the ferry. But first, I go into the nearby pub to use the bathroom. Wow, everywhere is so crowded tonight that even the queue for the toilets is extra long! I need to pee, so I wait in line.

“That’s a beautiful dress,” a woman behind me says.

I turn and find her smiling at me. “Thank you!” I answer.

“Which party are you going to? Lots are going on tonight.”

“I’m going to A Musical Night in Masquerade at Olympic Park.”

“Oh, that’s great! I went to it two years ago. It was so much fun! I haven’t been lucky enough to get tickets after that. They go so quickly.” She snaps her fingers.

“Can’t wait. It’ll be my first time, and I’m not entirely sure what to expect,” I say conversationally.

“Do you have a VIP ticket?”

“Yes.”

She checks her watch. “Then make sure you get to the dining area in one of the exhibition halls before eight. They serve dinner right on time so that everyone is finished eating when the musical acts start playing at the Dome.”

“Okay, that’s good to know. And it’s standing room only at the Dome, I was told.”

“Uh-huh. Everyone dances and sings along. But you can always go back to the dining area for a bit of a break. That’s what my husband and I did.” She lifts her hand to my face and shows me the wedding and engagement rings on her finger. “I met him there.”

My eyes grow round. “At the masquerade?”

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