“Sounds great, I’ll be at yours in ten.”

A mixture of dread and relief shot through Kelly. She put a hand over her pounding heart.

Damn, that was close.

Kelly wasn’t sure how long she could dance around the fact her now girlfriend lived with her ex-girlfriend, and she couldn’t just bowl around and pick her up.

It was a tricky situation to say the least. On one hand, she wanted to address the topic with Lucy, but at the same time she was at a loss of what to say. It was far too early to have any say in where Lucy should, or shouldn’t, live.

Hopefully, they would have plenty of time to talk during the four-hour round trip to Wellington next Saturday. But before then, Kelly needed to come up with a way to ask Lucy when she anticipated buying her own home, without being as nosy as to ask how much money she had, and how much more she needed.

Banishing any negative thoughts, Kelly headed inside to get changed. For the time being, she’d take what she could get.

*

Seventeen holes of golf later, neck and neck, team Nicole and team Kelly stood around the last hole.

“You go first,” Kelly said to Lucy.

“Good call.” Steve stepped back, and ushered Lucy forward. “Losers first.” He smirked.

Kelly waved her golf club at him. “Hey, watch who you’re calling a loser, mate.”

“There won’t be any losers, just first and second.” Nicole gave Lucy a warm smile and Kelly loved her for it.

“Great, I get partnered with someone who couldn’t care less whether we win or lose.” Despite Steve’s gruff reply, there was no mistaking the love in his eyes when he draped an arm across Nicole’s shoulders, dwarfing her petite frame.

By the time Kelly turned back around, Lucy was lining her golf club up. She hit the ball and it puttered up the hill, ran out of steam and rolled all the way back to her feet.

“That’s one,” Steve said.

“We can count.” Nicole and Kelly snapped at the same time.

Steve ran his thumb and forefinger across his lips in a zipping motion.

“Take your time,” Kelly gave Lucy a reassuring smile.

“Room please.” Lucy made a shooing motion.

The light green sundress that clung to her gorgeous curves, fluttered as she lined up her shot, wiggling her hips.

When Lucy pulled the club back, Kelly held her breath and crossed her fingers she’d get a hole in one.

The ball shot up the runway, bounced off the backwall, and flew back toward them. All three girls jumped, but Smug Steve didn’t move fast enough. The ball smacked him in the shin.

“What the f…” He gripped his leg and hopped in a circle, making such a grand show anyone would think it was broken.