"I can't believe my best friend is dating a Ferrari," Karla states. "I just can't believe it. It's not possible. That type of shit doesn't happen to people like us."

"I'm just as surprised as you are," I cozy up on the couch. "I didn't even think he was serious about our date."

"But turns out he's been in love with you all this time?" she gushes. "Girl, you are living a dream."

"Don't say that," I laugh. "I already don't feel like it's real."

It isn't an issue when Diego and I are together. But when we're apart, it feels too good to be true.

"But it is! You spent the day at their home! You're basically already part of the family!"

"I am not," I scoff. "We just started dating."

"He bought you a house!"

"He gave me an apartment that he already owned."

"And that's not good enough for you?" she snickers. "Or are you just downplaying it so you don't feel bad accepting it?"

"I don't have to downplay it. It's the truth."

"Yeah, he just happened to have an empty apartment that he's giving to you for free when he could be getting at least five grand a month for it."

"Five grand is nothing to him."

"Well... yeah. But still," the humour disappears from her face. "Don't talk yourself out of this. Don't look for an excuse to end it. Just... go with what you want."

"I'm working on it," I tell her. "I've already decided we should move."

"You have?" she sits up in excitement.

"There's no reason not to. It's actually perfect for us. It's safe, it's closer to Benny's, there's a daycare down the road, and an elementary school a block over for Hayley when she's ready. If I don't have to pay bills, I can cut down on my hours and spend more time with the girls. Everybody wins."

"Yes! I love that!"

"As long as we set clear rules about how this is going to work in the future, then I don't see how I could say no."

"Thank god!" she laughs. "I was seriously starting to worry you weren't going to take advantage of your new rich boyfriend."

"Oh, God," I snicker. I know she's joking, but I don't really like thinking about his money.

"You'd be stupid not to! You have to jump at these opportunities or you'll be stuck here forever."

"And that's the last thing I want," I state. "I want to give the girls a better life and if Diego can help me do that, then that's just another perk of being with him."

"Exactly!"

"His family is really lovely, too. I don't see them screwing me over."

"Please," she scoffs. "They've been over-tipping you for years, Diego's already in love with you... you're basically set for life."

"Honestly... I hope so. Not because of the financial aspect, but I really like Diego. He's different. He cares about me, he cares about the girls. He's fun and considerate, and when he smiles I get all giddy inside, and I don't know... I just really like him. I feel comfortable around him — like I don't have to worry about a thing."

"Aw, you cutie!" Karla grins. "You're so in love!"

"No, no, no, it's too soon for love," I defend. "I just... I like being around him and I'd like to keep being around him."

I don't even know how to explain the feeling. I just feel drawn to him. I want to experience things with him. No, I want to experience life with him.

"I better be maid of honour at your wedding."

"Hey, no ones talking about marriage yet," I snicker. "We have to get through the day, first."

"I'm surprised Diego's not back yet."

"Yeah, I thought he'd be here by now." I made it home over two hours ago. "He probably got held up with his dad."

"What's he like, anyway?" Karla asks. "You've told me about the family, but I need more details."

"Oliver is great. He's really friendly and outgoing. I can see why Diego admires him so much. I can't see how anyone would ever dislike him."

"Are they really as close as the media makes them out to be?"

"Oh, for sure. They're like two peas in a pod. If it weren't for their age difference, you'd think they were brothers, rather than father and son."

Diego and Oliver are different. They have the kind of relationship everyone should have with their parent.

"That's so weird to me," she says. "I can't imagine being close with my parents."

"I know, right?" I laugh. Karla's dad is still alive, but he's apparently not a very pleasant person to be around. She moved out when she was 17 and hasn't spoken to him since. "You know... the apartment has three bedrooms."

"The girls get separate rooms?"

"Or... you can move in with us."

"What?" she snickers. "No. This is for you. You deserve your own private space."

"No, think about it," I shift closer to her. "You'd save money and time, and we could plan our shifts so the girls don't have to stay in daycare as long, which would save even more money."

"Like a normal family?"

"Yeah, kind of," I nod. "I don't expect you to take on any duties with the girls, but you're here pretty much every day, anyway."

"I mean, you make a good point, and you're right, it's a perfect solution for us, but I don't want to intrude. It's your place, and you deserve something that's yours."

"You know I don't mind."

"But also... I'm sure Diego's going to be over all the time, so it'll already be a full house."

"Not any more than this place in."

"You won't have any privacy with me there."

"I have two daughters," I wave her off. "I don't have any, anyway."

"Amelia..." she laughs.

"Just think about it, okay?"

"I will," she nods. "I at least want you to settle in first. If there's room for me, then I'll come."

"Good," I smile. That's all I want to hear. She's done a lot for me. She deserves a break too.

The loud buzz of my phone interrupts our conversation.

"Is that him?" Karla asks. I glance down at the screen, but the number is unknown.

"I have no idea."

"Who the hell would call you at this time?"

I have no idea. The only people that call me are Eric and the girls' daycare. I bring the phone up to my ear.

"Hello?" I ask.

"Amelia?" the voice says, but I can barely hear over the noises in the background.

"Yeah?"

"This is Roman."

"Roman?" I sit up straight. Somethings wrong. His voice is rushed and his usual cool demeanour is nowhere to be found.

"Where are you right now?"

"I'm at home. In Huts Point. Why?"

"You need to come to the hospital right now."

"What?" My heart sinks. "What's going on?"

"They were in an accident," he blurts. "Ollie and Diego. They were on their way home. They swerved and they flipped and it's... it's-."

"I'm coming," I jump up without a second thought.

"It's bad. It's really fucking bad."

"I'm leaving now," I grab my keys off the table. "Karla, can you-?"

"I've got the kids," she nods, already reading the conversation.

"He needs you. He needs you right now. I don't think he's- He's not going to get through this."

"I'm on my way!" I hurry out to the car, fumbling with the keys to find the right buttons. I have no idea what the hell I'm doing. This car is too fancy. No car needs this many buttons. I don't have time for this. I need to get out of here. I need to see Diego.

This is not happening. This cannot be happening.