“Del, I’ve got nothing to wear,” Joaquin whined as she stomped into Adele’s room and flopped onto the bed.

“You have your red dress,” Adele sighed as she blowdried her hair. “You always wear your red dress.”

“Exactly,” Joaquin pouted. “I always wear my red dress.”’

Adele rolled her eyes in the mirror, turned off the drier and looked at Joaquin. “There’s no guarantee he’ll be there.”

“Yeah but what if he is?”

“But he mightn’t…”

“Let me enjoy the idea of it, ok?”

“Fine, you’ll only babble like a freak at him anyway.”

Joaquin sat up and looked angrily at Adele. “Why are you so pissy?”

“Because I am.”

“Oh gee, that’s narrowed it right down.”

“I don’t have to tell you everything,” Adele spat. “Jesus.”

“Fine,” Joaquin huffed and attempted a dramatic storm out. Instead she got caught on the door handle and spent several seconds fumbling like a twit. “Stupid, idiotic handle…”

Adele closed her eyes and shook her head. “You’ve got 20 minutes.”

“You’re not the boss of me,” Joaquin scorned and Adele listened to her storm off and slam her bedroom door.

“No, I would have fired you months ago,” Adele breathed and looked miserably at her reflection.

She’d spent a week analysing everything that had happened with Aidan, and now her head felt like it was about to implode. Yes he was funny, yes he was good looking, yes it felt very nice to be held in his arms, and yes it irritated her that all she could think about was how much she ached to find out what it would be like to kiss him. Christ, how old was she, 14? He was Joaquin’s art teacher and she was obsessing over him like he was a movie star. Adele reached for her brush and let out a long, heavy sigh. The angel on her shoulder was praying Aidan wouldn’t be there and the little devil was hoping that he would.

“Well?”

“I’m thinking,” Aidan breathed as he held his chin between his thumb and forefinger.

Dale pouted and moved to the other side of his friend. “Oh, come on.”

“Ok, well,” Aidan drew a long breath. “It’s interesting.”

“What? That’s it?”

“No, let me finish.” Aidan motioned to the canvas on the easel in front of him. “I can’t quite see the hidden anger you say it represents, but it’s the best pastry brush art I’ve ever seen.”

“Really?”

“Yes, well…it’s the only pastry brush art I’ve ever seen.”

“Oh.”

“That’s not to say it’s not good.”

“Do you think I should ask Flynn if I can exhibit it at his next exhibition?”

“God no,” Aidan half laughed and then saw the crushed expression on Dale’s face. “What I mean is….”

“You hate it.”

“As a teacher, I’d be lucky to scrape you in a D.”

“I was third top at art school!”

“I know, how you ever finished up behind that guy that just painted his left foot is beyond me.”

“And you.”

“I don’t really condone the placing of students from best to worst,” Aidan frowned and then smiled. “And I only got there because everyone else was too stoned during portraits.”

“I thought you were stoned,” Dale gasped and then looked even more surprised. “You mean you were generally that way?”

“What way?” Aidan frowned, narrowing his eyes at Dale.

“Never mind,” Dale said quickly and averted his attention to moving a large canvas with what looked like muddied footprints on it. “So what’s with the chip on your shoulder, darling?”

“There is no chip.”

“There’s a fucking taco shell.”

Aidan frowned again. “I’m avoiding an invitation.”

“Not Flynn’s nudes exhibition!”

“No,” Aidan sighed and flumped into a fluffy white beanbag. “Book launch.”

“Oh, sounds exciting,” Dale perked and pulled up a purple leather pouf. “Will there be big names there?”

“No idea,” Aidan shrugged. “Jo invited me.”

“The cute art student with a crush.”

Aidan nodded. “I don’t think I could mentally handle any more conversations with her. I mean it wouldn’t be so bad if she actually had the ability to form sentences that don’t involve in-depth analysis of fucking Warhol.”

“Oh that was just bad phrasing.”

“Grow up,” Aidan pouted. “To top it off Adele is going to…”

“Adele?” Dale said, confused, and then got coy. “Oh, the publishing goddess whose underwear you’re keen to explore.”

“It’s not like that.”

“It should be, with the drought that’s been going on in your nether regions.”

“Just because you’re a slut…”

“I’m not a slut, I just move on from failed relationships quickly.”

“Mate, the longest relationship you’ve ever had lasted a week and half.”

“I felt trapped.”

Aidan let out a frustrated cry and pulled on his hair. “Christ Dale, you’re a homosexual, you should be able to help me.”

“What do you want me to say? Have a threesome, it’ll keep the little art poppet out of your hair.”

“This is hopeless,” Aidan huffed, getting to his feet. “I’m going home to get very dunk on vodka and hopefully while I’m wrapped around the toilet I’ll have an epiphany or die or something.”

“Sometimes I think you should be the gay one,” Dale sighed. “You can be so melodramatic.”

“You don’t understand,” Aidan wailed, suddenly feeling like he was 14 again.

“Of course, I’m gay so I wouldn’t know the pain of lusting after something you just can’t have,” Dale scorned and threw his hands in the air. “Fine, here’s what we’re going to do, darling. We’ll make you look pretty, I’ll put on a nice frock and we’ll go to this launch and see what we can’t do.”

“Right,” Aidan nodded and headed toward the door. He stopped and turned around. “Wait, you’re coming?”

“Of course, I want to meet the little art freak and see this woman you’ve got a crush on.”

“Right.” Aidan nodded, turned around and then turned back. “You’re not really gonna wear a frock are you?”

“Haven’t you even got your pants on yet, dude?” Leo frowned as Ben pushed his way into the bathroom.

“I’m working on it,” Ben replied and grabbed his deodorant.

“Isn’t that like the third time you’ve sprayed that shit on.”

“I’m sweaty.”

“You smell like a gigolo.”

“How do you know what a gigolo smells like?”

“Well this time when we were in college…” Leo began and then narrowed his eyes. “I never realised you were such a metrosexual, dude.”

“This from a guy who’s used half a tub of…” Ben reached over and snatched up the tub of styling product from in front of Leo. “Go Hard Styling Fudge for Men.”

“My hair is the epitome of my personality,” Leo said matter-of-factly.

“Are you saying you’re camp and sticky?” Ben grinned and Leo sneered at him.

“Oh, you’re so funny I could have a seizure.”

They sneered at each other for a moment before Ben left and Leo finished the artwork that was his hair. He gave it its final tweak and Ben reappeared, adjusting his collar.

“So Misty let you off the leash for tonight?” Ben asked, stopping to slap on some aftershave.

“She’s gone shopping with friends,” Leo said absent-mindedly as he studied Ben a moment. “Dude, what’s with the effort?”

“Oh, well, I figured a book launch was a pretty big affair.”

“You’re wearing a tie. I’ve never seen you wear a tie. And it doesn’t even have a picture of, like, Homer Simpson or Cartman on it.”

“Why Leo, are you finding me attractive?” Ben teased as he gave himself a final look in the mirror.

“You could never be that lucky.”

“Shame, I’ve always loved you.”

“I know, but it’s never going to happen.” Ben and Leo looked at each other a moment and then cracked up. “Come on, we have a book launch to get very drunk at.”

Joaquin and Adele stood in the corner of the hotel ballroom. It had very heavy red velvet curtains, and a long table that had large plates of nibbles and oodles of champagne. There was a small stage with images of the book and of the author projected onto two large screens behind it.

“Did you actually read that book?” Joaquin asked, trying desperately to coax some conversation out of her friend.

“Three times,” Adele replied with a heavy sigh.

They fell quiet again for a few moments. “I wish you’d tell me what’s wrong.”

“Nothing is wrong, Bliss,” Adele said sharply.

“Can I interest you two lovely ladies in some of Sydney’s finest champers?” Joel piped up as he appeared in front of them with two flutes of bubbly.

“Hey Joel,” Adele smiled taking a flute. “You’re a darling.”

“Thanks,” Joaquin nodded, reaching for her glass. The second Joel let go, Joaquin’s fingers slipped on the cold crystal and she juggled the flute for a moment. The expensive champagne splashed on her feet before she gained control. “Shit!”

“Lucky you’re wearing sandals,” Joel pointed out.

“Girl needs a training cup,” Adele remarked as she watched Joaquin’s cheeks burn red.

“I better wash this off before I get attacked by ants or something,” Joaquin muttered and scurried off toward the restrooms.

“Gonna help her sponge her toes clean?” Joel queried.

“No, why would I do that?” Adele scorned and narrowed her eyes at Joel. He shrugged and she shook her head. “We’re discussing foot fetishes at some later date.”

Joel opened his mouth to respond when Leo and Ben appeared with two flutes of champagne each.

“Good evening Miss Brodie, you’re looking lovely this evening,” Leo smiled, taking a sip of champagne.

“Your modem broken?” Adele chided, and looked at Ben who grinned.

“I think Misty is at a frat party or something.”

“Misty would never…” Leo began, his cheeks burning red. Realising that anything he said would have him mocked, he took to drinking the rest of one glass of champagne. “Misty has class.”

“Oh, with a name like Misty, I’m convinced,” Joel nodded, causing Ben and Adele to snicker.

“What did I miss?” Joaquin asked as she hurried over, stopping intermittently to dab her foot.

“We’re picking on Leo,” Adele replied, trying not to giggle at the flustered Joaquin.

“Oh, I feel left out.”

“Just throw something in,” Ben suggested as he tried his best to look suave.

“Ok…Misty is a slutty name,” Joaquin declared. “And she’s probably really some hairy, 45-year-old guy in Montana.”

Leo let out several grunts before declaring, “I hope you’re all attacked by chimpanzees.” He then turned on his heel and stormed off in the direction of the cucumber sandwiches.

“Such a drama queen,” Joel frowned shaking his head. “Should we circulate the room, y’know, mingle?”

“NO!” Adele and Joaquin said together.

A few moments later, Joel and Adele were deep in conversation with several important people while Joaquin kept a close eye on the door.

“Who are you waiting for?” Ben asked, tired of being ignored and trying to hold off the boredom that was threatening to overtake him.

“Huh?” Joaquin mumbled and then looked over at Ben briefly. “No one.”

“Right, so you have an interest in architecture, then?”

“What?”

“You keep staring at the damn door!”

“No I’m not,” Joaquin gasped, blushing. “I’m looking everywhere,” she added and gave a few forced looks in other directions.

Ben was still unconvinced but let the subject drop. “You look great, by the way. The red really suits you.”

“Thanks,” Joaquin said hesitantly. “I hope you don’t think that a few nice remarks will get me in the sack.”

“Don’t be disgusting,” Ben gasped as Joaquin’s attention went back to the door. He looked down at his suit and fingered his tie, annoyed she hadn’t even noticed the effort he’d gone to.

“Oh my God, Del,” Joaquin breathed, suddenly grabbing Adele’s arm.

“Ouch, what?” Adele frowned as Joaquin gestured to the door. “Oh.”

“I can’t believe he came,” Joaquin said in a hushed voice as they both looked over at Aidan who had just entered the room. He was wearing a very nice black suit, his hair purposefully mussed, and seemed as far from the gawky art teacher as possible. Although the strange, purple-haired man with him was a worry.

“Hey,” Aidan smiled as he sauntered over. Joaquin felt her cheeks go as red as her dress while Adele swallowed anxiously, twice.

“Great suit,” Joaquin managed, not entirely sure why she said it.

“Devoid of paint,” Adele added, equally inanely.

“Are you going to introduce me,” Dale mused, nudging Aidan who had been trying not very hard to avoid staring at Adele’s cleavage.

“Huh?” Aidan said blankly, then looked at Dale stupidly a moment. “Oh right, yeah, Dale I’d like you to meet Jo and Adele. Jo, Del this is the monkey on my back.”

“I’ve heard so much about you both!” Dale gushed and leapt forward to kiss Joaquin on the cheek. He did the same to Adele, who couldn’t help but blush at the gesture.

“So what’s he said about us?” Adele asked, not sure she really wanted to know.

“Well…” Dale began but was elbowed by Aidan. “What?”

“Go mingle,” Aidan ordered.

Dale frowned but caught sight of Joel. “Who’s that?”

“Cricket boy,” Aidan said without thinking.

“Joel,” Adele scorned. “My very good friend.”

“I’m mingling with him,” Dale declared and stalked off in Joel’s direction.

“I’m sorry, he insisted on coming,” Aidan sighed, looking deliberately at Adele. “So tell me about this book then.”

“I helped design the cover,” Joaquin declared proudly.

“Yeah? I think the reflection of the little girl is amazing.”

“It was awful to do, though…”

Adele listened for a few moments before deciding she was wasting her time and decided to check out the buffet. Ben was already there, eating a handful of cheese on toothpicks.

“What’s so special about him,” Ben groused, stuffing more cheese into his mouth.

“Who?” Adele asked and then followed Ben’s line of sight. “Aidan?”

“No, the pillow biter with purple hair.”

“Ade’s a really nice guy.”

“I’m a nice guy.”

“You just insulted homosexuals.”

“I know.”

Adele looked curiously at Ben as he sulkily devoured more cheese. “Can I ask you something?”

“I don’t care.”

“Do you like Jo?” Adele breathed. “Like, more than friends like?”

“So what if I do?” Ben huffed. “Clearly she’s attracted to Mr Artsy Fartsy.”

“So? He’s not attracted to her.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I do.”

Ben narrowed his eyes at Adele and then smiled mischievously. “You want to hit that.”

“Y’what now?”

“You like Ade too.”

“No I don’t,” Adele lied feebly. “And anyway, we’re talking about you here.”

“No, no, this is far more interesting,” Ben grinned. “You like a man you can’t have because your best friend likes him too.”

“You’re very well educated on the rules of female relationships.”

“I was part of a sorority for a couple of weeks,” Ben sighed. “Don’t ask.”

“O-K,” Adele mused and they fell silent.

“This sucks.”

“Yep.”

“Cheese?” Ben breathed and offered Adele the plate of cheese on toothpicks.

“Thanks,” she sighed, grabbing several, and they both took to comfort eating.

“I don’t think your friend likes me,” Dale huffed, appearing a few seconds later. He snatched up a piece of cheese and a few crackers.

“He thinks homosexuality is catching,” Adele shrugged as she and Ben continued to look over at Aidan and Joaquin.

“Oh God, he’s been cornered,” Dale groaned. “Couldn’t one of you have stopped the torture?”

“Would we be standing here if we could?” Ben remarked.

“We need an action plan,” Dale declared. “One that sees Blondie here break my good friend’s sexual drought.”

“Excuse me,” Adele gasped.

“Oh honey, body language, that’s all I’m saying,” Dale chided. “That and I know for a fact the poor darling has a crush on you.”

Adele stood speechless for a moment and then snatched up several cheeses on toothpicks.

“Do you have any idea how much fat is in that?” Dale remarked, frowning.

“Do I look like I care,” Adele frowned.

“I’m going back over,” Ben huffed, taking a large gulp of champagne and heading back across the room. Adele and Dale looked at each other and then followed for lack of better options.

“…so is it hard to get the colours from the screen to match what you expect to be printed out?” Aidan asked, having lost count of the amount of champagne he’d already devoured.

“It can be but…”

“You should try the cheese,” Ben declared bluntly and Joaquin looked at him annoyed at being interrupted.

“I’m not hungry,” she scorned. “And besides I was talking.”

“Shouldn’t we be talking about the book,” Dale suggested, carefully positioning himself between Joaquin and Aidan. “I mean what’s it even about?”

“It’s about a young colonial girl,” Adele explained. “About how she ends up prostituting herself to escape the inner destitution of Sydney.”

“Sounds cheery,” Dale chided, his eyes lighting up as Joel reappeared.

“Del,” he announced, gently taking her arm. “He’s here.”

Adele’s face fell. “Is she…” Joel nodded. “Excuse me,” she said quietly and headed off through the crowds.

“What just happened?” Aidan asked, vaguely stunned.

“That bastard,” Joaquin said softly. “I’m going for a refill,” she added and pulled away to hunt out more bubbly.

“I might go too,” Ben declared and quickly followed Joaquin.

“Well that’s gone and killed the mood,” Dale sighed, swishing the contents of his flute about.

“Aidan,” Joel said and Aidan looked at him surprised. “You might want to take a trip across the hall.”

Aidan looked confused for a moment before it dawned on him what Joel was saying. “Thanks,” he nodded and then scooted off through the crowds.

“Looks like it just you and me now darling,” Dale perked as he grinned at Joel.

“Yay for me,” Joel sarced and downed his flute of champagne.

“Bliss, wait up,” Ben called through a small portion of people. Joaquin turned and glared at him.

“Don’t call me Bliss and don’t follow me,” she snapped and reached for a full glass of champagne. Ben couldn’t help but feel hurt and it must have shown as Joaquin passed him a glass of drink.

“Thanks.” They fell silent for a few moments before Ben couldn’t help himself. “So you like art boy huh?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes.”

“Why?”

“We have a lot in common.”

“Like?”

“A love of art.”

“Ok, and?”

Joaquin pondered a moment, got flustered and declared. “We get on well, ok.”

“You think? Because I could have sworn his eyes were screaming,” Ben chided and Joaquin’s look turned dark.

“You know nothing about him or me.”

“I know you’re a neurotic, clumsy drama queen who needs a serious reality check.”

“Oh and you’re so fantastic, huh?” Joaquin hissed as quietly as she could. “You think you’re some sort of sex god, that women should be falling at your feet and that because we both have psychotics as parents that you clearly understand me when it’s quite obvious that you don’t.”

“My God, could you be any more self obsessed and needy,” Ben spat. “This isn’t all about you, you know.”

“This?” Joaquin said angry but confused. “What do you mean, this?”

Ben for the first time flustered. “Did you even notice I’m wearing a suit?”

Joaquin looked at him strangely, but then allowed herself to actually take a good look at the fine suit he was wearing. It clung to his broad shoulders, and hinted at the toned physique underneath. She actually had to admit he did look very handsome. “It’s very nice.”

“Nice,” Ben said somewhat unbelieving. “I wore it for you, Jo.”

“Me? Why?”

“Because as much as it probably disgusts you, I like you,” Ben said, seriousness etched across his face. “I think we click and I think you’re very beautiful, inside and out.”

“Oh,” was all Joaquin could manage, stunned.

Aidan left the banquet room and crossed the hallway to the empty ballroom. He was surprised to see it dark, aside from the moonlight that was streaming in through the open curtains that lead to the balcony. He hesitated a moment, concerned that he might find a couple going for it on the other side of the curtains, then sucked in a deep breath and approached them. He instantly saw the familiar silhouette of Adele and stepped out into the night.

“Are you ok?” he asked softly.

“Shit,” Adele gasped, nearly jumping a mile. “What’re you doing here?”

“Making sure you’re not about to jump.”

“Hardly,” Adele breathed and wiped her eyes with the palm of her hand. “I just couldn’t be in that room, not with him.”

“That bastard.”

“That’s the one.”

“When did you break up?” Aidan asked, moving up beside her as they both took in the view.

“Just over a year ago.”

“Babe, you’ve seriously gotta let go.”

“It’s not that,” Adele sighed and turned her back to the view. She leaned on the concrete barrier of the balcony. “I’m just not ready to face him and his lovely wife yet.”

“Ok,” Aidan nodded and once again moved beside her. “I’m glad you’re talking to me.”

“Did you think I wasn’t?”

“A bit, yeah,” Aidan shrugged. “Everyone kinda abandoned me with Jo.”

“She seemed happy.”

“You looked like you just wanted to leave.”

“Book launches are boring,” Adele shrugged and smiled. “Besides, I can’t flirt with you like a teenager when Jo’s about.”

“I wouldn’t have minded,” Aidan mused, and dug his hands deep into his pockets. “I think Jo’s obsessive nature is catching.”

“Why? Because you have a crush on me,” Adele chided and Aidan looked slightly mortified. “Dale told me.”

“I’ll wring his purple head,” Aidan huffed and then took to studying his feet as he spoke. “I do like you, Del.”

“Oh I like you too, Mr Murdoch, believe me, I do.”

Aidan nodded slowly. “I think we should stop drinking the champers as we’re both coming off a bit pissed.”

Adele giggled, wrapped her arms around his arm closest to her and surprised him by dropping a kiss on his cheek. “Let’s run away to Queensland and open an Asian supermarket.”

“Ok,” Aidan agreed, resting his forehead against hers. “But first we stop Jo from giving the author concussion and Dale from molesting Cricket Boy.”

“His name is Joel.”

“I know, but Cricket Boy is funnier,” Aidan smirked, pulled away and led her back through the hotel room.