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“I love amusement parks. I think Grant is a bit scared of some of the rides,” Charlotte said.
“Me too. Though I’m getting better. I’ve been doing more adventurous things since I got here.”
“Good. You were spending too much time in your stuffy old apartment in London,” Grant said.
The three of us headed down to Circular Quay and settled onboard. Sydney Harbor was beautiful, and I envied some of the owners of their harbor-front properties. Then again, my mountain cottage was just as nice.
We even went past a nudist beach and saw a few people lazing around. Hudson thought it funny and could not stop giggling. The waiter brought us glasses of champagne and nibbles as we continued the trip.
Grant took the last sip of his champagne and continued regaling me with his tales of their adventures. I guessed he would bring up Ryan soon.
“The reef was amazing. We flew out in a helicopter and did some snorkeling and went in a glass-bottom boat. You have to visit before you go back to England,” Grant said.
“We visited an island, and they had turtles and crocodiles. It was so cool,” Hudson said in between licks of an ice cream.
“I think you’ve convinced me. I’ll go. I wanted to do the glass-bottom boat thing anyway.” I wanted to see so much of Australia but wanted to do it with Ryan. I wondered if he would go to Queensland if I paid for it.
“So, when are we going to meet your hot neighbor, Ryan?” Grant said with a wicked grin.
“I was wondering when you were going to bring him up. He’s coming later tonight after he finishes work, and then we can all do the bridge climb tomorrow.”
Hudson ran over to the window near the front of the boat to watch everything. His face lit up when we sailed past Luna Park, knowing he was going there later.
“I think it’s great to see you moving on from the past. So, is it serious?” Grant asked. “Or do I need to go in and beat him up for messing about with my friend?”
“Grant, leave her alone. It’s none of our business.” Charlotte gave him the evil eye.
“It’s fair enough. You have had to pick up some of the pieces in the past and had a soggy shoulder from my tears more than once. We’re just friends,” I replied.
“With benefits.”
“Grant!” This time, Charlotte thumped him on the arm.
I didn’t want to say anything but couldn’t keep the big smile off my face.
“I knew I was right. The guy walked behind her in his briefs early in the morning. I know they were babysitting a sick dog, but still. I’m a guy and would have used the mutt to my best advantage.”
“We have come to an arrangement for the year while I share the cottage.”
Grant gave me a high-five.
“Good on you. From the quick flash I saw of him, the guy is well built so if you wobble on that pirate leg, he can pick you up. And being a mercenary, it’s always useful to know someone who’s a tradesperson.”
Charlotte laughed. “Grant can take out your appendix but don’t ask him to fix a leaking tap.”
“I chose the wrong profession. Plumbers and carpenters get paid well and don’t have to do all the mad hours.” He hugged me again. “I’m really happy for you, Autumn, and think you should just live life to the fullest after what you have been through.”
I didn’t need their approval, and they hadn’t even met Ryan yet, but I wanted it. I would take Grant’s advice as a good omen and keep living in the moment.
The rest of the boat trip went by without any more inquiries, which was good. We grabbed some lunch on Circular Quay where we had to fight off the seagulls. Luckily, they had a dog patrol that seemed to see a fair few off. One of the birds even dive-bombed Charlotte and stole one of her chips.
A large cruise ship had pulled in across the quay from us. I had never been on a cruise before. I had seen jobs for doctors on cruise ships, and maybe I could do that when the year was up instead of going home. London was no longer the bright light beckoning me to go back.
The four of us headed off to Luna Park, which included another ferry ride, and Hudson screamed lots and loved every minute of it.
“He keeps asking Grant if he will buy a boat. He would be out fishing or kayaking all the time if he could,” Charlotte said.
“Next time you come, and there will be a next time, we can go kayaking on the harbor. My arms are good even if my leg is wobbly.” Seeing him have so much fun made me hope a child was somewhere in my future. If no partner came along, then I could always go in-vitro. Or maybe Ryan might be willing to be a donor. It would be cheaper and more fun. Hell, I didn’t know what I wanted. My brain was all over the place. Hudson was from an earlier relationship of Charlotte’s. Maybe one day she might talk to me about it.
