Penelope’s about to turn to leave when Ty looks up. Their eyes meet, and she’s instantly taken back to the day when they first met. Sun soaked and hopeful. But now it all feels like a dream. Too good to be reality.

He holds up a hand to say hello and goes to smile, but stops himself mid-expression.

She walks towards him, not giving herself time to fumble or back away. ‘Ty,’ she says, her voice almost escaping her. It’s only been a month since she walked out the door, but her heart has ached every day since.

He stands to hug her. She braces herself, taking a breath. She’d prepared herself for this. She needs to be numb and not feel his body against her own. But the moment he touches her, a jolt runs through her entire body and she quickly steps back, not trusting herself.

He looks hurt, his mouth sagging. ‘I just ordered us some drinks. A green tea for you.’

Penny’s heart stings at her old order but her mouth is watering at the thought of caffeine touching her lips. ‘I might just go change mine for a coffee instead.’

Ty’s surprised. ‘Since when do you drink coffee?’

She’d always avoided the stuff, drinking more green tea a day than water. It used to drive Ty crazy that she’d leave half-filled mugs of it around their place. But it had always given her a small sense of satisfaction that she was like her mother. ‘It’s just a new thing.’ She shrugs, purposely avoiding eye contact, knowing he’ll be able to tell there’s more to it than that. She can feel him studying her face, trying to figure out what she’s not telling him.

‘Let me,’ he says, indicating he’ll go change the order. ‘Flat white?’

‘Thanks.’ She smiles. She would have ordered a latte, but she already feels bad enough. She should have just stuck to green tea.

As he moves past her Penelope feels her breath suddenly escape like a blown-up balloon being let go. She sits down and watches Ty at the counter. Every inch of her body longs to be in his arms. She forces herself to look away and notices a waiter carrying a piece of hummingbird cake to a nearby table. Only a few months ago she’d shared a slice with Ty as they flipped through wedding magazines. She’d had a list of things they needed to decide on and it kept getting longer and longer. He’d joked that they should just escape to Hawaii and elope. She’d said, ‘Yes, let’s do it.’ He’d stared at her for a moment, unsure, but knowing she was serious. She had no significant friends or family that she needed at their wedding. He’d finally said, ‘We can’t elope, Penny, Mum would never forgive me.’