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drink.’
    â€˜ At the bar , no doubt,’ Maxine said archly. ‘Of course, girl, you go find your man.’
    Kate sighed with relief as her two friends moved away in the direction of the board. What kind of rumours was Lisa circulating? They must be really something if they were actually making people see things.
    Even as the thought entered her head, a face in the crowd caught her attention – a handsome, charismatic face with curly brown hair and big brown eyes, gazing at her so intently it raised goosebumps on her skin. Her own gaze, which had been passing casually across the other guests, stopped and darted back.
    But her reflexes were a second too late.
    The crowd had closed over the man, who had been staring at her like he knew her.
    Like he could read her mind.
    Stop being ridiculous!
    Once again, she scanned the crowd by the bar looking for a face that couldn’t possibly be there – a face that didn’t really exist. She had made that description up that night at the club when Lisa had asked her for details.
    It had been easier to come up with than she’d expected.
    Maybe because every girl has a fantasy man lurking somewhere in the depths of her subconscious that she brings out whenever the occasion demands it. She could still hear the dreaminess of her voice when she’d described him to Lisa – her perfect man.
    â€˜He’s tall, muscled but not bulky, and tanned, yes, fairly tanned. He’s got a gorgeous smile and curly brown hair and deep brown eyes. Eyes that are so easy to get lost in.’
    Now Kate veiled her own eyes in mortification. How could she have been so brazen? For one small moment she had lived her own fantasy.
    Normally day dreaming wasn’t a problem. But then usually she didn’t do it out loud. It was unfortunate that what should have stayed in her head had spilled out of her mouth.
    She took a breath for courage and opened her eyes. A large group of guys had just arrived at the bar and were now ordering a round of drinks. She clenched her fists.
    OK, get it together.
    This was Andrew and Lisa’s engagement party and she was head bridesmaid. She should be doing a lot of chatting and smiling, not cowering in a corner. Instinctively her spine lengthened. She was going to enjoy this party, support Lisa and Andrew and somehow slip into the conversation at the earliest opportunity that her imaginary boyfriend was no longer in the picture.
    What about the fact that Maxine thinks she’s spoken to him?
    She banished the ridiculous question.
    It was obviously a mistake, so nothing for her to worry about. Kicking off her cares, she went in search of Lisa.
    Her friend wasn’t in the main room or by the bar so she decided to go out onto the large balcony to see if Lisa and Andrew were talking to guests out there. There were three glass double doors leading onto this open area. She stepped through the middle one, breathing in the balmy harbour air with gratitude. It was lovely outside, calming in fact. Kate felt herself relax, taking in the panoramic views of Sydney’s Circular Quay.
    She spotted Lisa huddled in a group of chatting guests. The bride was wearing a gorgeous pale pink strapless dress. Lisa had her back to her and was talking animatedly. Kate felt her spirits rise. This was a happy occasion. She should stop being so paranoid and just enjoy it. With a lighter step she moved across the balcony to the tightly knit circle of people.
    â€˜Hey, it’s your favourite bridesmaid.’ She touched her best friend’s shoulder.
    Lisa turned around and gasped excitedly when she saw her. ‘I thought you’d never get here. Where have you been?’
    Kate lifted her glass and clicked Lisa’s. ‘In hair and make-up, I wanted to look my best for the occasion.’ She planted a kiss on Lisa’s cheek.
    The bride-to-be stepped away from the group and slipped her arm through Kate’s, pulling her aside. ‘Have