Pulling to a stop at a red light, Lucy glanced at Kelly. “You’re welcome. Being with you is no hardship, Kel. I’d drive through Auckland if I had you by my side.”

“I promise never to do that to you. When I take you on a romantic getaway to the Sky Tower, I’ll whisk you away in my private jet.”

Even though Kelly laughed it off as a joke, an idea took root and blossomed. She didn’t have access to a jet, but she had savings and could pay for airfares.

Chapter 24

After finding a park, which was no easy feat due to many parking buildings being condemned after the 2016 earthquakes that rocked Wellington city, Kelly and Lucy strolled hand and hand to Te Papa Museum.

Although it wasn’t Kelly’s first visit to the centre, the stunning architecture still robbed her of breath: six levels of high ceilings, gleaming glass, bronze walls, suspended skeletons of extinct mammals, and exhibits for as far as the eye could see.

“Wow,” Lucy said.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Scary.” Lucy stared straight ahead.

Following her line of sight, Kelly took in the imposing 3.6-metre-tall trolls. William, Tom, and Bert. Infamous for greeting guests on the red carpet at the World Premiere of The Hobbit.

“They won’t hurt you, promise. They’re made of fibreglass.”

“Not them, silly.” Lucy turned to Kelly, concerned etched across her face. “I wouldn’t want to be in here if an earthquake hits.”

“Don’t worry.” Kelly was quick to put Lucy’s mind at ease. “I did my homework. Te Papa’s built on one hundred and fifty-two isolators to protect it from movement.” Kelly tapped Lucy on the nose. “And, I’ll have you know, this massive building was constructed with enough steel to stretch from Wellington to Sydney?”

“Is that right, little Ms. Encyclopaedia?”

Before Kelly could reply, she was almost knocked off her feet when Jo slammed into her and wrapped her in a bear hug. “About time you got here.”

Peering over Jo’s shoulder, Kelly locked eyes with a young man sporting an enigmatic smile and hair the colour of oranges.

“Don’t say it,” Jo whispered in Kelly’s ear.

“He’s handsome.” Kelly squeezed Jo tighter, ecstatic her sister, who liked to joke about carrot-tops, had matured enough to see beyond appearances.

“He treats me like a princess.” The smile in Jo’s voice was contagious.

It would seem Jo was as smitten with her beau as Kelly was with Lucy.

“Your girlfriend’s got sexy eyes.”

“Your boyfriend’s looking at us funny.”

“He probably thinks we’re talking about him.”

“We are.” Jo snorted.

Aware they had an audience, and there were introductions to be made, Kelly stepped back.

“Hi, Tim. I’m the good-looking sister.” Kelly winked at Jo who mouthed dream on.