Against All Odds

Chapter 5

STELLA

As soon as I had eased the car to a stop outside the large double-doored garage at the end of a steep driveway, I barely had time to step from the driver's seat before the most energetic brunette in all existence barrelled into me.

"You're here!" Sadie shrieked into my shoulder, engulfing me in an exuberant hug. "You're here, you're here, you're here!"

Sadie had always been the excitable one, which suited her role as a preschool teacher cum Pilates instructor perfectly. Boundless energy always seemed to flow from her in waves of equal parts optimism and enthusiasm.

Behind us, the huge, modernised home loomed with its pristine white painted walls and muted accents- glass panels stretching across the upper floors to provide, what I knew, would be impressive views of the ocean. Sipho, Sadie's soon-to-be husband, ambled from the front door and trotted down the few stone steps towards the car, his hands in the pockets of his khaki shorts and a huge smile cracking his face.

The house belonged to Sadie's parents and formed one of the many impressive structures that made up Ocean View Drive in Port Alfred Central. The marina was a short distance away and I knew that Sadie's folks had their own jetty, too, and no doubt part of the holiday would be spent on one of the boats docked nearby, either cruising up the length of river or heading out to sea for a spot of fishing.

When Sadie finally released me, I found myself on the receiving end of a smile so wide and endearing, it came rushing back to me then how much I had actually missed her. I was closer to her than any of the others and I figured this was primarily due to the fact that Sadie and I had met first, therefore we had the longest standing relationship out of everybody.

"Yup, I'm here," I agreed, finishing her impromptu chant and stepping back a bit.

Sadie's brown eyes darted to the side, latching onto Killian who was also emerging from the car, and then she bestowed him one of her ferocious hugs.

Sadie was the hugger of the group.

Sipho was more reserved in his approach at a greeting, but all the same I felt engulfed by his arms. The man was built like a rugby player.

"Stella the Stranger," he rumbled good-naturedly. "So glad you could make it down."

"Naw, I'd never miss this, Sips." I nudged him. "Free booze, great views-"

"That's an expensive plane ticket just for some free booze," Sadie teased, coming back to stand by me and linking her arm with mine. "Just admit that you missed us already."

"Kills," Sipho interjected, his greeting of the other man in the vicinity consisting of some boisterous back thumping. "You've been away almost as long as Stella!"

"Come on," Sadie urged, turning us both around and leading the way up the steps, through a short expanse of a flourishing garden, "I'll show you to your room. The boys will sort out the luggage."

"Sorry, Sips," I managed to call over my shoulder. It afforded me an opportunity to glance back at Killian, too, and a familiar jolt rippled through me when I clashed with his penetrating gaze. Our final conversation in the car came back to me, my heart clenching, and I felt my face drop. A few hours ago, I had wanted nothing more than to not be alone with Killian Beckett. Now that it was possible I wouldn't be allotted that chance, it seemed almost dismal.

The truth was that I found that car trip more enjoyable with him than I should have. His grumpiness was offset by the occasional wry smile I caught twisting his lips when he thought I wasn't looking- Killian enjoyed my antics and bickering with me as much as I begrudgingly had.