end of the room had caught her eye. He was pretty hot as well, she had to admit: tall, broad-shouldered and with the air of someone who knew he had the ability to draw female attention. His head was freshly shorn and his handsome dark face was clean-shaven. He had slightly slanted eyes, a strong nose and full lips which parted in a mischievous smile that made Melody’s heart skip a beat. Their eyes met briefly and his smile widened.
Melody smiled back and lowered her gaze, but when she looked up again he was talking to one of the women in his group of friends, his face turned away from Melody. The woman leaned towards him, said something and they both laughed. She was probably his girlfriend. Men like that were hardly ever single.
To her surprise, Melody was a little disappointed. It had been a while since she’d had her eye on anyone.
“Mel!”
“Hmm?” Melody spun around. “What?”
“Sophie’s guy. A hottie or a nottie?” asked Annelize.
“Oh, a hottie.”
“See?”
Sophie drained her glass. “Do you really think I care? I told you, I’m not interested in relationships. I like being on my own. I need a man . . .”
“Like a fish needs a bicycle, we know,” Buhle interrupted, holding up her hands. “Silly thing to say, if you ask me, and I bet you every cent in the Reserve Bank the woman who said it has a man.”
“I think she got married, actually,” mused Annelize.
“Ha!” cried Buhle, raising her glass in a triumphant toast. “I rest my case.”
Sophie tossed her head, sending her long hair cascading over one shoulder. “Whatever. I don’t need a man to complete me.”
“Hear! Hear!” cheered Melody. She still enjoyed the freedom that came with being single and didn’t feel any pressure to settle down. Her career was going well, she had wonderful friends and family, and she loved her life. That said, if love happened to come along, she would welcome it. As long as the man who came with it was willing to play by her rules. She stole another glance at the guy across the room. He was looking right at her, that irresistible smile on his lips. She looked away quickly, feeling light-headed.
“That’s only because you don’t know how wonderful it is to have someone in your life whom you can count on,” Annelize was saying. She fingered her wedding band and gave her friends a dreamy smile. “When you find the right person, it’s amazing.”
Sophie and Melody exchanged amused glances. “Here we go,” Melody whispered.
Right on cue, Annelize continued, “Johan is like my best friend. We can talk about anything. I can’t imagine my life without him, and he’s the most incredible . . .”
“Okay, okay,” Melody interjected. “We all know how fabulous Johan is. And I’m sure, if we gave her the chance, Buhle could spend all night singing Sandile’s praises. But not all men are knights in shining armour.”
“Don’t get any ideas, girls,” said Buhle hastily. “After nine years, Sandile’s armour is a little rusty.”
“You know what I mean.” Melody swirled her drink around in her glass. “We all grow up with this idea of the perfect guy, until we become adults and discover that real men have –”
“Beer bellies,” Buhle cut in.
Everyone laughed.
“I was going to say flaws,” said Melody, “but I guess that works, too.”
“No one’s saying you have to hold out for Mr Perfect,” Annelize pointed out. “You just have to believe that there are good guys out there.”
“Sure, but not everyone’s lucky enough to find one,” argued Melody.
“And instead of daydreaming about something you might never have, it’s better to focus on and appreciate what you do have,” added Sophie.
“She has a point,” said Annelize, her tone almost apologetic.
Buhle sighed. “You’re so sensible, Sophie. You and Mel are such independent women. But just you wait. One day you’ll fall head over heels for some idiot on a motorbike and then we’ll see how sensible you really are.” She rubbed her hands together and threw her head back like a diabolical movie villain. “Muahahahaha!”
Melody shook her head. “I need to stop hanging out with crazy people.”
“She is a bit of a psycho, isn’t she?” remarked Sophie, grinning. “I’m ordering another drink. Anyone want anything?”
Buhle’s hand shot up. “After all, it’s Friday night,” she said, holding up her almost empty glass. “Hello, weekend! I missed you.”
“Well, I can’t stay out too late, guys. I’m driving to Khayelitsha tomorrow morning.” Melody glanced at her watch. “I think I’d better have some juice only.”
“Weren’t you home just last weekend?” asked Annelize.
“Yes, but . . .”
“She’s afraid her family will disappear if she leaves them alone for too long,” Buhle interjected.
Melody glared at her. “I’m just checking on them.”
“Uh-huh, to make sure they’re still there.”
“Buhle!”
“Okay, okay! I’m going to the ladies’ before you hit me with the salt cellar.” She got up and squeezed past Melody.
“I hope you know you’re almost falling out of that top,” remarked Sophie from behind the menu.
Buhle glanced down at her ample bust. “It’s not my fault they don’t make clothes for real women. Mel, your foot!”
“Sorry.” Melody shifted her foot to let Buhle pass.
“She’s insane,” she said in a stage whisper once Buhle was gone.
“I know,” Annelize giggled. “But you’ve got to love her.”
“I don’t know about you two, but I’m having ice cream,” Sophie announced.
Melody and Annelize looked at each other, then shrugged.
“Why not?” said Annelize. “Let’s go for it.”
Melody grinned. “After all, it’s Friday.”
“Should we order one for Buhle too?” asked Annelize as Sophie waved the waitress over. “She did say she was trying to cut down on sugar. Maybe we should get her fruit salad instead.”
“Oh, please, Buhle has never eaten a salad in her life,” scoffed Sophie. “Mel’s the one who’s on diet.”
“It’s not a diet; I just don’t eat red meat,” Melody reminded
