Chapter 66

Emma had a staff meeting and so Rikki was to go and pick the kids up from the school. Rikki was looking after her own baby as well as Cleo's son, Hayden. Cleo had recently returned to work again. Carrying the two tots, Rikki walked to where the double buggy was parked and strapped them both it in. She then walked down to the primary school.

With the flock of kids behind her, they returned to the café. With Fi, she couldn't take the kids swimming back home. After all, Fi was the only child who did not inherit the mermaid genes. As she pushed the buggy through the doors of the café, her jaw dropped. In twenty minutes, the place had been transformed. Zane, and their staff, had placed red streamers and balloons all around the room. The customers looked on as Rhonda took the buggy off Rikki and led the children to a table. Zane came forward and embraced his wife.

"Happy Birthday, Rikki. I love you." He whispered. She returned his hug.

"I love you too." She kissed him gently. Their audience awed.

"What is all this? I thought you knew I don't like fuss." Rikki said after a brief pause, gesturing to the decorations.

"Do I need an excuse to spoil you?"

"No, but I turned 33 – that's hardly a significant birthday…"

"Rikki. I. Love. You. I like to show it," Zane interrupted. "I wish I had shown you more when we were in high school." He said this sincerely.

Rikki stroked his cheek before kissing him again lightly, "I know I don't say it very often, but thank you."

"You're right; you don't say it very often." Zane smirked playfully. Rikki gave him a punch in the arm jokingly. He put his arm around her.

As the evening progressed, all the island residents as well as the honorary members, such as Jessie, Alan and the Jacksons, arrived to the café and they all enjoyed each other's company.

OoOoO

"You should've seen his face," Anna laughed to Ben as they were getting into bed that night. She was telling him about the arrogant Hunter Tasman and his reaction to her age. He laughed along with her.

"I bet you put him in check," he said. There was a peaceful silence as they lay there. "Anna, have you considered that this could be dangerous?"

"Dangerous? The man is an arrogant idiot – not a danger in my eyes," She scoffed.

"Maybe not to you physically, but to our secret. We do look a lot younger than normal – how long until people will notice we really don't age?"

"I guess we'll face that mogul when we come to it." Anna replied seriously.

OoOoO

One month later…

Jessie was at her work desk going between writing notes, flicking through a text book and browsing the internet on her laptop. She was researching for a new client's request. Anna, Hunter and herself were given this assignment. Anna was in a meeting with their client at that moment. Hunter Tasman sat at his own work desk facing Jessie's. He was supposed to be working but instead, he was unabashedly staring at her. He marvelled at how beautiful she was, not for the first time. He always had a thing for brunettes. Hunter had decided he liked Jessie and it was worth pursuing her. He wondered if she was single. Even after working together for a month, he still didn't know.

"What?" Jessie asked. She could feel Hunter's eyes on her as she continued to look at her notes. She looked up. He was indeed staring.

"Hunter." She said trying to gain his attention.

"Huh?" He snapped out.

"You were staring at me. Again." Jessie informed him in exclamation, "It's starting to get creepy!"

"Well, it's not my fault if you are drop dead gorgeous." Hunter replied with a smirk. Jessie blushed slightly. She looked at her watch. It was time for their lunch break. She began to get up.

"Do you want to go grab a coffee?" Hunter asked.

"Ah…" Jessie hesitated. She had wanted to go with Anna but Anna was still with their client and she did not know when they would finish.

"Come on, what's a coffee between work mates?"

"I guess," she replied hesitantly. What was the harm right? Jessie picked up her handbag and walked out with Hunter.

OoOoO

Jessie sipped her chai latte. After some idle chatter, Jessie once again had come to the conclusion that Hunter was unbearably arrogant. After a comfortable pause, Hunter changed the atmosphere entirely by asking a blunt question: "Are you single, Jessie?" Jessie almost spat out her drink. Was he interested in her that way? That would explain the constant staring. She managed to retain her liquid.

"Well?" Had he been flirting that whole time and she didn't notice? She had to put him straight.

"I have a boyfriend," Jessie replied, "Why?" Had a rush of disappointment just raced across his features? Whatever emotion had been revealed was promptly replaced with his trademark smirk.

"Are you happy with him?"

"What are you suggesting?" Jessie was annoyed now. "I wouldn't be with him if I wasn't happy. I love him very much."

"So you're serious. How long have you been together?"

"Why are you so interested?" Jessie asked suspiciously.

"I'm not allowed to be curious? I just wanted to get to know you better." Hunter replied, feigning hurt.

"If you must know, almost two years." Jessie replied. Hunter seemed to be pondering something. A waitress arrived with their food. The rest of their lunch break was extremely awkward. Jessie decided that without Anna, she wouldn't be doing this again.

OoOoO

As Jessie was packing up for the day, Hunter was trying to flirt with her. This was in vain however; Jessie had no idea of the arrogant man's advances. The colleagues also were not aware of their audience. Alan had got off work early and had decided to take Jessie home. He was simmering in a jealous rage in the doorway to the workroom. He could tell what that man was trying to do. Alan took a deep breath and put on a façade – he would be talking to his girlfriend about this later.

"Hey Jess," he said. Jessie and Hunter looked at the tall man standing in the doorway.

"Alan!" she exclaimed, a grin spreading across her face. She rushed into his arms, enveloping him in a sweet embrace. She leaned up slightly and gave him a chaste kiss before stepping back a bit to be able to see his face. She maintained her grip on his hands.

"What are you doing here? Not that I'm not happy to see you…"

"I got off work early and came to ask if you'd like a lift home?"

"That'd be wonderful," Jessie replied with a smile.

"You haven't introduced me to your friend here," Alan said addressing Hunter. He put extra emphasis on the word ' friend.' Jessie didn't catch on.

"Oh, Alan, this is my colleague, Hunter and Hunter, this is my boyfriend, Alan." Jessie introduced them. There was a mutual look of dislike on both men's faces as they shook hands. She noticed the awkwardness.

"Well, Hunter, I'll see you tomorrow. Come on Alan," Jessie said quickly almost pulling her boyfriend out the door.

A/N: Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter - more coming soon! I am enjoying my summer holidays! Its getting really hot and I've been to the beach heaps recently. I am now officially an adult having graduated from high school :P It's weird I'm not going back for another year - I was at Aquinas College for 7 yrs!

In February I'm moving to Waikato Uni to study - so exciting!

Thanks to all the people who have followed, made this story a favourite or reviewed - I know I say it every chapter but I really do mean it. I love you all! (especially to those who review every chapter - your loyalty is noticed!)

Thanks especially to charbars: I always update ASAP

Guest: name please! Character profile is updated!

YaleAceBella12: I will write more!

zikki 3: I know - 2 years! I'm sure it was only a few months ago I began this :P Thanks for the feedback.

CrazyHayniac: thanks for the ideas and feedback - it was your review which inspired my new storyline incl. Hunter :P

HybridsRose: Thanks for the detailed feedback - I really appreciate it!

Acgisme: Why do you have to be so great at guessing future storylines! (I'm not telling which one is planned :P You'll find out very soon.)Thanks for reading and reviewing and for the ideas.

THANKS! :D I feel like a stuck record :P Do you reckon you guys could get this story to 600 reviews? That would be phenomenal.

Love you all!