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My chest tightened. Lucky for some. While Brooke was living it up overseas, I was struggling to make ends meet. I tossed my phone into my bag with a huff, glancing up just as Hannah and Nicole approached the table.
The first thing I noticed was the contrast of their outfits—Hannah in a jumpsuit with a loud, colourful print, and Nicole in a simple black dress. Hannah swept towards me, strands of her unruly dark hair escaping her loose ponytail. “Milly!” She threw her arms around me. “It’s so good to see you. How have you been?”
I hesitated. This dinner was supposed to be her going away party. I didn’t want to dampen the mood. “Oh, you know, just keeping busy. How about you? All packed for your big OE?”
“Yep. Sure am!”
“You must be getting pretty excited now.”
“I’m equally thrilled and terrified. It still doesn’t feel real, ya know?”
“London is going to be an absolute blast. You’re going to have the time of your life.”
As happy as I was for Hannah, my heart still clenched at how much I wished I were in her shoes. Travelling around Europe was a long-held dream of mine. A dream which felt further out of reach than ever.
Hannah looked at Nicole with a frown. “Too bad I won’t be able to make it to your wedding.”
Nicole waved her hand. “Don’t worry. It’s just the way the timing worked out. Lots of my other overseas friends can’t come either, and I wouldn’t expect them to. New Zealand is too far away.”
“Milly, you’ll have to say a little speech on my behalf.”
I couldn’t tell if she was joking or serious, but I played along. “If you write it, I’ll read it.”
“It’s a deal!”
The chitchat continued while we looked over the menu. I tried to work out what would be the cheapest and most filling option. Every dollar counted. “Hey, is it okay if we all pay separately?” I asked.
It felt awkward, but I knew I had to say something or risk getting stung.
“Fine by me,” Hannah said.
“As long as one of you does the sums,” Nicole said. “I’m not good with numbers.”
The waiter arrived, notepad in hand, and asked if we were ready to order drinks. Nicole and Hannah jumped in with their cocktail orders. Then it was my turn. “Just water for me, please.”
Nicole lifted a sculpted eyebrow. “Water? At least get a glass of wine or something.”
I squirmed. “Well, the thing is... I’m trying to save money.”
“So that’s why you’re hung up on paying separately.”
Hung up? That was a bit harsh. I hadn’t planned on talking about my unemployment, but now I felt a need to explain myself. “I actually got made redundant a few weeks ago.”
Hannah gasped. “Redundant? Oh no!”
“Bring her a glass of the house red,” Nicole told the waiter. “My treat.”
I shook my head. “You don’t have to?—”
“Consider it a ‘sorry you got shafted at work’ drink on me.”
“And I’ll buy your next drink!” Hannah said.
They were so enthusiastic, all I could do was sheepishly accept. “Thanks, guys. I appreciate it.”
The waiter confirmed our order, then disappeared behind the bar.
Hannah leaned in. “So what happened? Why did you get let go?”
