She stood a moment, staring at the gift in the mirror, unsure what to make of his words and the gesture. They’d been lovers such a short time. They’d made no secret of not wanting reminders so why had he given her something so expensive? So personal? So memorable?
He knew how upset she’d been about her stolen jewellery. That must be his reason. His words and actions tonight confused her.
‘You okay, Livvie?’ Brie asked from the doorway.
‘Of course. I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?’ She pasted on a smile and admired Brie’s backless midnight-blue dress. ‘You look sensational. What’s your date’s name again?’
‘So do you, and it’s Theo. Liv...’ She came right in and sat on the bed. ‘You and Jett...it’s getting serious between you two.’
‘No.’ Olivia fingered the necklace, avoided looking at her friend. ‘It’s just a fun ride and we’re both enjoying it.’
‘Can’t you at least talk with Jett—?’
‘No.’ Shaking her head, she glared at Brie in the mirror. ‘Promise me you won’t either.’
Brie sighed. ‘Okay, Liv. For now.’
‘I want to live my life like everyone else. The way you do. Enjoy a fun no-strings romance with a nice guy. Until it’s time to say goodbye.’ Grabbing Brie’s hand, she tugged her towards the door. ‘It’s going to be a fabulous night. You work one end of the room, I’ll work the other.’
Olivia forced herself to cast doubts and questions aside and get on with the task of entertaining. The yacht was soon swamped with voices, movement and colour as the glitterati arrived, dripping in jewels and high-end fashion. The evocative sounds of flute and violin drifted from the classical music duo on deck. Expensive perfume mingled with the aroma of canapés being prepared in the galley. Wait staff circulated with drinks.
The water reflected a sliver of golden moon in a violet sky and they were about to set sail on a floating palace. But Olivia didn’t have time to enjoy the view, ensuring guests were comfortable on the awesome outside entertainment area strewn with candles in coloured glass pots.
‘And the big question on every woman’s lips is will the Jettsetter Chef be making an appearance?’
‘After dinner,’ Olivia told a female reporter, almost wishing she hadn’t invited the media to attend the guests’ arrival and to interview her. ‘But you won’t be here then.’ She smiled sweetly because she knew the woman would be disappointed, and slid a glass of sparkling water from a passing waiter’s tray. ‘But Pink Snowflake—’
‘There he is!’ The woman swivelled on her heel, sidestepped Olivia and made a beeline towards him, her heels clicking over polished wood.
Olivia turned, surprised to see his unexpected appearance, and their gazes clashed across the deck. Without thought, her hand reached up to touch the chain at her neck. He noticed her small movement, and a slow smile spread over his face. Then the reporter blocked her view and Olivia turned away, her mind whirling, only to be confronted with another journalist who’d obviously witnessed the intimate exchange.
She studied Olivia’s face, her eyes alive with speculation. ‘And will we be seeing more of the pair of you out and about?’ Her ID showed she was from the women’s magazine that was donating a hefty sum for an interview.
‘Whatever do you mean?’ Olivia said. ‘We’re not here to speculate on gossip. We’re here to talk about the Pink Snowflake Foundation—that’s the important message for tonight...’
At last the media left and the magnificent cruise yacht sailed out of the marina, the lights of the CBD and the casino glittering from the shore.
The main course was a choice of liquorice-braised leg of lamb with Jerusalem artichoke and caramelised onion purée or roasted pork shoulder with swede, pickled rhubarb purée, sage and apple dressing, all served at a massive oak dining table.
Olivia found herself sitting opposite James Harrison, owner of a string of successful Sydney nightclubs. Mid-forties, attractive. A playboy edge about that smile even with his partner, Sue, right alongside. Sue paid him no attention, more interested in talking to Sandra Hemsworth to her right.
‘I hope you’ll drop by the club when you’re in Sydney.’ He twinkled those playboy blue eyes at her and slid a business card across the table. ‘Contact me and I’ll make sure I’m there.’
Not we, she noted. ‘Um...I don’t know when I’ll get to Sydney, James, with so much going on at the moment.’
‘Jim.’
‘Jim.’ She glanced at Sue, who’d turned and was watching them with a smile on her lips.