Page 98 of Ace My Heart

“Well, she’s definitely a massive fan of yours – she has your autograph framed beside her bed, and pictures of you in a little folder.”

“How’s she doing?” I asked.

“She’s not one of my patients … and I can’t really disclose … but she’s midway through another chemo round.”

Another one. My eyes prickled at the thought of that brave little girl idolising someone like me. I didn’t deserve her devotion. There were people out there in the world who were far more deserving than me – people who were making a difference to society. People like Brad.

“I think what you’re doing is noble.” I patted him on the knee. He put his hand on top of mine, capturing it and holding it on his thigh. He grinned, his slightly crooked teeth gleaming.

“I really do miss you, Mel, when you’re gone,” he murmured.

I smiled uncomfortably. “I miss you too, Brad.” I just wasn’t sure I meant it inexactlythe same way he did.

“Well, fancy seeing you two here!” a voice from above my head spoke. I knew instantly who it was. I tried to take my hand off Brad’s leg, but he tightened his grip on it. I didn’t want to embarrass us both by wrenching it away, so I let him have his way.

“Joel, how are you? Who’s your friend?” Brad asked, his fingers caressing the back of my hand.

Joel smiled brightly down at both of us. Beside him, Julie looked as awkward as I felt. Joel had his arm around her. She wouldn’t meet my eyes. What was she doing here?

“Julie, this is Brad, afriendof Mel’s.” I could feel Joel’s eyes on me as he said it. “I thought tonight was supposed to be a double date, Stinky?”

“Oh, it is,” I assured him, narrowing my eyes at his smirking face. “Amanda and Thomas are meeting us a bit later.”

“Well, since you’ve snagged a table for four, mind if we sit with you guys until your friends get here? It’s crazy busy tonight.” Joel didn’t wait for either of us to respond, plonking himself downbeside me, putting an arm up on the back of the lounge behind me. Brad gripped my hand harder.

I leaned out past Joel and turned to Julie. I would try and be polite, even though her presence was sending pangs of some strong emotion through me.

“So, Julie, what are you doing in Sydney?” I asked pointedly.

“Oh, I’ve moved here,” Julie said, tossing her long red curls over her shoulder. “Didn’t Joel tell you? I’ve been up here for a few months now.”

I leaned back and caught Joel’s eye. “No, hedidn’ttell me that.”

Joel shrugged sheepishly. I distinctly remembered him telling me that he wasn’t with Julie, because she was in Melbourne. I tried to convey through my eyes that I was not happy about being lied to.

“Julie’s coming to Princes of Lion with me tonight,” he announced.

Brad’s eyes widened. “How did you snag tickets for that? I heard it was sold out within minutes.”

“Oh, I was on the VIP pre-sale. I never miss a Princes of Lion concert … do I, Mel?”

I threw him my dirtiest look and he grinned. Why couldn’t I shake his cocky exterior, just once? I finished off my wine and stood.

“Brad, let’s head back to my place, where we can have a bit of privacy.” I looked pointedly at Joel then – let him think what he wanted about that.

“But … what about Amanda and Thomas?” Brad asked, confused. I kept my eyes on Joel, who smiled serenely at me, his arm around Julie, who was looking from him to me, her eyebrows furrowed.

“It’s really only you I wanted to spend time with tonight,” I snarled. Brad stood hurriedly, chewing on his lip.

“Enjoy, kids,” Joel said. I scowled at him and turned jerkily to leave. Brad followed hastily, a little flustered.

“You too,” I replied icily, wrapping my arm around Brad’s waist and dragging him through the crowd.

“Mel!” Amanda called out. I stifled a groan. I just wanted to get out of there. I could still feel Joel’s eyes on us.

“Hey guys,” I mumbled as Amanda and Thomas weaved their way through the crowd towards us.

“Do we have a table? I thought you booked?” Amanda asked.

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