Page 4 of Cocky Cruiser

“Yeah, but Chance went to prison because of it; because of me. He lost two years of his life and missed the last few months of our mum’s life before she died.”

I still hadn’t forgiven myself for what had happened to Chance because of my stupidity. He’d almost lost Aubrey because of it.

“Shit, Adele. I’m so sorry. Things are better now, though, right?” Jeannie asked as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

I nodded. “Yes. I’ve been clean since Chance went to jail, and he has a beautiful wife and son.”

“That’s great.” Jeannie shook her head with a snort. “Never thought I’d see the day when playboy Chance Bateman settled down and got married.”

We both laughed. My brother definitely had a reputation with the ladies. “Do you think differently of me now?”

Jeannie frowned. “Hell no. No one is perfect. Your mistakes don’t define you unless you let them. And we both know that wasn’t the real you.”

I let out a relieved breath. I was thrilled Jeannie didn’t judge me for what I’d done. “Thank you for understanding.”

Jeannie and I spent the next couple of hours catching up over a couple of drinks. She told me that our circle of friends still hung out occasionally, which made me happy.

Jeannie’s phone buzzed on the bar top. Glancing at the screen, she smiled. “It’s my boyfriend, Colin. He just picked up his American friend from college from the airport.” She looked up at me. “Is it okay if they join us?”

“Sure.” I took a sip of my beer. “I don’t mind.”

About twenty minutes later, two men walked in. “Oh, there he is,” she pointed out, waving her hand.

The shorter of the two men smiled and waved back before making his way over to us. The other man followed him as they weaved through the crowd of people.

“Hello, sweetheart,” the man I presumed was Jeannie’s boyfriend greeted as he kissed her on the cheek.

“Colin, this is my old friend, Adele,” Jeannie introduced. “Adele, this is Colin.”

I smiled, extending my hand. “Nice to meet you, Colin. Jeannie’s told me so much about you.”

Grinning, Colin shook my hand. “All good things, I hope.”

I laughed. “Oh no, they were all terrible, terrible things. She’s actually planning to break up with you. I’m here for moral support.”

His smile fell, and his face went white as Jeannie snorted. “She’s kidding, love.”

“Oh, right,” Colin said with a strained chuckle. “Good one.”

Colin’s friend cleared his throat, drawing Colin’s attention away from us. “Sorry. This is Cohen, my mate from college.”

Cohen shook Jeannie’s hand, then mine. It was the first time I’d really noticed him, but he definitely grabbed my attention.

He had dark hair and hazel eyes with a chiseled jaw and dimples to die for. He was gorgeous, like Hemsworth brothers gorgeous, and I couldn’t help but stare.

“Cohen James,” he said, his rich voice full of amusement.

I took a few seconds to respond, almost entranced by the man before me. “Adele.”

“Like the singer?” he asked, still holding my hand.

I rolled my eyes. I was always asked that. “I was actually named after Adele Astaire. She was a Broadway entertainer from the 1920s.”

“Fred Astaire’s sister, right?” He raised his brows, seemingly impressed. “It’s a beautiful name.”

My cheeks heated. “Thank you.”

Cohen dropped my hand and took a seat on the barstool next to me. “What brings you to Australia, Adele?” he asked.

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