Mike’s hand tightened around hers. He hadn’t been kidding when he’d said he was worried about some of the men at the party making a play for her. She looked extra desirable tonight in that glorious blue evening gown. Strapless dresses did become her, especially with her sexy new hairstyle. Mike loved the way it waved around her face and brushed sensually against her shoulders when she walked.

Other men would love it, too. Men far more handsome than he was. And far, far richer.

‘Chuck said he’d invited a few extra guests at the last minute,’ Natalie told him. ‘Look, there’s the launch coming in again now, bringing more people.’

They stopped at the railing, watching with interest as the launch angled itself against the Rosalie and a member of the crew set about helping the latest party-goers disembark.

‘Hey, it’s Rich and Reece!’ Mike exclaimed, surprised and relieved when he recognised the two well-dressed and very handsome men as his friends.

‘And Alanna and Holly,’ Natalie added excitedly. ‘Oh, don’t they look lovely?’

Mike didn’t think they held a candle to his Natalie, but they did look pretty good for very pregnant ladies. Alanna was wearing some long white floaty number and Holly was in black, with a silvery shawl around her shoulders.

They called out to each other and soon the six friends were gathered together on the deck, exchanging handshakes and hugs.

‘This is a pleasant surprise,’ Mike said. ‘But a mystifying one. How come you’re all here tonight?’

‘Got an invite this afternoon,’ Reece answered. ‘Chuck decided after going past Palm Beach yesterday that he wanted to buy a house there. He rang one of his business contacts, asking him for the name of the best man in real estate in Sydney. Which was moi, of course.’

‘Do try not to be so modest, darling,’ Alanna said with a warm smile.

‘Modesty never gets you anywhere,’ Reece tossed off with his usual savoir faire. ‘Anyway, Mike, I told Chuck we were great friends, whereupon he insisted I come to the party tonight, along with my better half. At that point I said if he really wanted to please you—and it seemed he did—then he’d invite Richard and Holly here as well.’

‘After all,’ Richard said. ‘If Chuck buys a house here, he’ll need a local banker, won’t he?’

‘What a pair of opportunists you are,’ Mike said wryly. ‘By the way, the partnership is in the bag, too.’

‘That’s great, Mike,’ Richard congratulated. ‘So it was worth getting married, was it?’

Worth it?

Mike thought of everything that had happened over the last few days. Then he thought of the future, and the day when Natalie would no longer be in his life.