his narrow waist.
“Thank you. You’re the best.”
He chuckles. “I’ll head out back and check Dominic has appetisers ready to go.
“Oliver…”
He turns and waits.
“I want to ask about Harry…” I know Oliver well enough he won’t make the situation rosy for me.
He gives me a nod. “I’ve always trusted your judgement. When you said Harry is a reliable worker, I didn’t doubt you. And he is. He does everything we ask of him. As a matter of fact, I’ll be offering him more hours.”
I can hardly contain my excitement. “I’m so thankful Harry is going to be okay.”
After Reef and I rekindled our relationship, I wanted to show him I was not the same person, so I started working at the shelter on the nights he trained and when Dad stayed at Bernadette’s. Sponsorships were being sought to help suitable homeless persons get back into the workforce. I managed to secure barista training, along with some hospitality training, and then approached Oliver to sponsor Harry. He’s been working two days a week for three hours a day for over a month to adapt, staying at the shelter and not on the streets.
I lurch myself at Oliver and wrap my arms around his neck, careful not to mess his man bun. “Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me, and knowing Harry is going to be okay.”
Oliver pats my back. “It’s fine, Mace. He’ll be fine here with us. We’ll look out for him.”
I ride the happiness high for the next two hours, and when Oliver closes Lombardi’s at eight for my farewell, the smile hasn’t left my face.
“You think she’d be sad she’s leaving us…” Oliver says to Dad, “… but she won’t stop smiling.”
“I am sad I’m leaving,” I butt in. I rest my head on my dad’s shoulder, and he pats my back.
“You’re going to miss everyone, my girl, like we’ll miss you. But the change will be good for you.”
“I told her she has a job here anytime if she’s ever back on a visit,” Oliver tells Dad. He holds out his hand for Dad’s empty beer glass.
“Just one more,” Dad says and hands it to him. He turns to me. “Because it’s a special occasion.”
Georgia walks over with her wine glass and loops her arm over my shoulder. “Don’t expect me to say g-goodbye because it’s not.” Her voice cracks mid-sentence.
“I know.”
“I want only the best for you… anyway. I’ll come visit every chance I get.”
I give her a warm smile. “You better.”
“And you better check out the best nightclubs.” She takes my empty wine glass to refill.
Shit. Tonight is going to be tougher than I imagined.
Reef waltzes through the door with Hunter, Brody, Davidson, Liam, and Marcus, who all squish me with hugs. Oliver loads their hands with beer glasses.
Reef waits until last to give me the strongest of hugs. “How you holding up?”
“Yeah, okay.”
“We trust you to take care of our wingman,” Hunter says, bumping us apart. “We’re going to miss you both.”
“I’ll see you on the field soon enough, brother.” Reef clinks his glass with Hunter’s. “See how you feel about me then.”
They chuckle, and his other friends push him in the shoulder in banter until he stumbles. “Hey, hey,” he says, balancing his beer and doesn’t spill a drop.
He’s going to miss his teammates. To the point, he mentioned only to me that he might return to play in Adelaide again one day because it also feels like home.
“Hold up.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone and grins at the screen. “Hey,” he answers. “I’m handing you over to her.” Reef hands it to me on loudspeaker.
“Hello.”
“Macy, sweet cheeks.”
I smile at Reef. “Hey, Chance. How are you?”
“I’ll be better when you get your sexy ass to Melbourne so I can hang out with you.”
“Oi,” Reef interrupts.
Chance chuckles. “Knew he’d be listening. Seriously, Mace, I wish you all the best. Enjoy your night, and I’ll see you in Melbourne in a couple of weeks.”
“Thank you. How’s your knee? Are you back in the team?”
“Training my arse off. Not quite ready, but hopefully after Christmas, I’ll get my shot.”
“I’m crossing everything for you. I already have your guernsey and badges on a scarf.”
Chance lets out a hearty laugh. “Tell me you have more of my merchandise than Reef’s?”
“Maybe I do—”
“Because you send it to her,” Reef says loud enough for Chance to hear.
Chance chuckles again. “See you soon, Mace.”
No sooner do I give Reef back the phone than