"He told you all about his nasty divorce, something you said he never discusses with other people." Maddy laid her arm on the back of the bench.
"He told me because I'm his friend." Mostly because she'd shared her marriage problems with him first. "I always have an ear to listen. When I die, it'll be printed on my head stone: 'She was a good friend'. I'm happy with being his mate."
"You bloody hate it and want something more." Maddy leaned back.
"Why would he want me?" Christine dropped her voice as more and more people walked past. "He could have any woman he wanted."
"Not me." Maddy frowned, and then pulled at her ear a bit. "Well, probably not me. Maybe. Depends what he looks like without his shirt. Or naked."
Christine grinned. "Please. Like you'd ever leave Mark or have an affair."
"True." Maddy sighed. "You're both adults. He's interested in you. You're interested in him. Take the chance and see where it can go."
"We work together," Christine said.
"There's no policy against office relationships." Maddy switched her crossed legs.
"Not yet. I've told you about my boss and one of the other customer service reps. The whole office talks about them."
Maddy tilted her head, her face filled with compassion. "Ah, I get it. You don't want the gossip."
Christine bent her head. "After everything with Randy, I just can't take anymore rumors. I like my job. I don't want to lose it. Plus, I don't want to lose my friendship with Charlie."
"Sometimes you have to take a risk in order to gain what you want most." Maddy tapped her cup against her knee.
Christine raised her head. "Like you did in marrying Mark?"
"Exactly." Maddy nodded. "You're familiar with our story. We met, a week later I took off to the land Down Under with him, and married him not a month later. I've never looked back."
"You never had to look back because you gained everything," Christine pointed out. "But it's not just me risking. It's him too."
"It seems to me he's made his decision." Maddy stretched both arms above her head.
Christine watched several gentlemen grin at them with Maddy's display. "He's never said anything about being more than friends."
Maddy waved the men away before they could stop. "He's saying it in poems. Don't underestimate yourself. You're worth the risk, mate."
Christine watched the boats skimming across the blue water of the harbor. "See the little jet boat there?"
Maddy glanced where she pointed. "The yellow and green dare devil one? Don't tell me you want to ride that thing."
"Hell no." Christine shook her head. "This is exactly my point. Charlie is all filled with life and fun, adventure and surprises. See how the boat turns and twists then flips in the air?"
"Yes." Maddy shuddered. "I can't imagine what sort of crazy fool would laugh like the people strapped in there. They're bloody insane."
"They think it's fun and thrilling." Christine pointed at the line of people waiting to buy tickets. "Everyone, most everyone, wants a turn."
"Christie, if you're trying to say what I think you are, stop it."
Christine whispered anyway. "I feel like I'm just one in the crowd waiting for this brief, thrilling ride. And it will be over almost as soon as it starts. I'm not sure I'm ready or if I can handle it, even with Charlie."
"For the ride or for it to be over?" Maddy whispered in return.
"Both." Christine tapped her fingers on her leg. "He's all excitement and adventures women line up to take. I'd easily be lost in the crowd."
"You're wrong." Maddy held her hand. "There's nothing wrong with a thrilling ride and some fun. You deserve an exciting adventure."
Christine pointed at the big three story ferry filled with people on the decks. "I'm like the ferry: solid, dependable, following the same path over and over, doing the same thing day after day, never diverting. We're totally different, complete opposites."
"Then break out of the bloody rut." Maddy jerked her hand. "Even the ferries take a different route now and then. What are you waiting for? You want him. He wants you. Simple."
She knows me too well. "I'm not ready for any kind of romantic relationship."
"Bloody bull crap." Maddy snorted once more. "You told him about Randy's death, the cause and reasons, when he came to the funeral."
Christine swallowed. "You came too, stayed with me, helped the kids, and made life bearable again. I'm forever grateful."
"Hush with the grateful talk." Maddy looped an arm around her shoulders. "You're my best mate. Of course I'd be there for you and the kids. They're like my own, especially since we could never have any."
"You handled so many things for me in those dark days and made it easier for me to do all I had to do." Christine smiled at her. "You refused to let me sink into depression."
"Charlie came too. He listened and didn't judge. Let him help you now."