Ash’s mouth dropped open. “You didn’t.”

“I did. Of course, I did. Special occasion.” He sat back in his chair casually, as though what he’d done was no big deal.

But apparently to Ash, it was. She “squeed”, then leant over the table and gave Matt a smack of a kiss on his cheek. Jules looked between them, waiting for the explanation, Ash’s delight making it impossible for her not to smile too.

“You are the best!” Ash added, beaming at Matt.

“I aim to please.”

“Matt went to Red Rock,” Ash finally explained. “It’s my favourite winery—except yours …”

“Uh-huh.” A wry smile appeared.

“And he bought my fave bubbles, lovely, lovely bubbles.” Ash was sing-songing, and Jules’s grin grew.

“Only four, so pace yourself.”

“Well, we can start with those and move onto the ones I got from Naked Wines.” She pressed her lips together until they disappeared, as though she’d said something bad.

Matt laughed. “I know you buy from Naked Wines. It’s not like I think you only drink my wine. For a start, I couldn’t afford it. I have to sell some to actual customers, you know.”

“Ha, ha. Hilarious.”

“Seriously, though,” he turned to Jules, “you’ve met Chloe. This one’s exactly the same.”

“Are you calling me a lush? On Christmas Eve Eve? I change my mind, you suck.”

Jules watched the banter play out across the table. They’re like siblings. She smiled to herself, letting her thoughts turn to Will. She had totally lucked out with her brother; she knew so many people who weren’t close to their siblings. She couldn’t even fathom that. Will was one of her best friends, and she didn’t have many of those. Three to be precise.

Maybe she was stuck in a time warp, only getting close to people she’d known since childhood. She’d had this conversation with herself before and she knew that if she dwelled on the thoughts too long, she’d end up in a labyrinth, going around and around, trying to self-psychoanalyse why she’d never been in love.

Now was not the time. Besides, she had a lengthy “to do” list to start on.

“So, I know I’m supposed to be making cookies, but do you think we could go to the beach first? You said Port Melbourne wasn’t far.”

Matt scoffed good-naturedly. “Don’t be like that,” Ash scolded.

“What? What did I miss now?” Keeping up with the shorthand between them was beginning to hurt her brain.

“Matt’s from Torquay.”

“And?” Jules pressed.

“And he’s a beach snob.”

“I’m not a snob.”

“What would you call it?”

“Well, it’s like this,” he faced Jules, “Port Melbourne is on the coast, but it’s a bay and really, if you want to go to a proper beach, like a real beach,” Ash rolled her eyes and Jules sniggered, “then Port Melbourne is not it.” From Ash’s exasperated sigh, it was obviously not the first time he’d made the same point.

“I see,” said Jules, attempting diplomacy. “Well, I’m from a landlocked state and I’m one of those unfortunate Coloradans who loves saltwater, so you see where I’m going with this, right?”