"This was a brill idea. Can you imagine if we had got these two wasted the night before the wedding?" Callum leans to his sister at the Northern.

"I told you," Aimee says amusedly. "And what about my idea of having a shared bachelorette?"

"Genius!" He screams while looking at Tessa playing poker at one table with Michael and Paulo, while Josie dances with Ana and others on the dance floor in the Northern. "I'm glad we have Liam and booked this place for the party."

Aimee glances around the room to see the same man, but to no avail. It feels the more she wants to see him, the more he just makes himself scarcer.

"How are you doing?" Callum's question throws her off. "I feel like I haven't been able to speak with you since you arrived or since you left. I miss my best friend," he mutters while looking at his half-empty glass of whiskey.

"I miss you too. I guess we're growing up and life is taking us in different places." She points to Ana that is absent-mindedly cradling her belly while swaying to the music. "We knew that our dynamic duo act would eventually end, right?"

Callum takes his sister's hand. "Our dynamic duo act will never end. No matter where we are."

Aimee leans into her brother's embrace. "I'm back playing the piano and it feels right."

"And getting paid for it also helps," Callum comments.

"No more brother handouts for a while." Aimee jokes. "I've made my peace with the world."

"What about with our birth mother? Have you made your peace with her?" Callum asks.

"Callum... I have nothing against Eva..." Aimee's tone changes, reflecting uneasiness with the topic.

"You adored her before you found out the truth. Aren't you sure that you're just upset that you actually like her?" Aimee ponders his words. "Just think about it..."

"Maybe I'll be okay with her when I'm okay with her, you know? It took me so long time getting over losing dad..."

"We will never be over losing dad..."

Aimee nods, knowing her brother is right. You never get over losing one of your parents.

"But I understand what you mean. I'm just glad you are yourself again. Annoying, berating and inconvenient."

Aimee chuckles.

"Now, on an unrelated note..." Callum raises his eyebrows. "Is there something going on between pai and your manager?"

Aimee chortles, "Oh yeah. They are completely into one another, but it scared the living hell of pai to tell you. What caught your eye? Was it the little stares?"

"Oh no, it was the outright shameless hand underneath the table!"

Aimee darts her eyes under the next table, where she spots Michael's hand over Paulo's trousers.

"I think you need to remind them they are in public."

They both laugh.

"I love seeing him happy. He deserves it."

"Then let him know." She leans on his right side and places her head on his shoulder. "He's so scared of taking this to the next step because of us, of dad... he needs to know we got his back. And Michael is amazing, although sometimes a bit too flamboyant." Aimee raises her eyebrows and Callum roars with laughter.

"I just want both of you to be as happy as I am." Callum lowers his lips and kisses her forehead. "Especially you. I want you to be happy."

"I am," Aimee lies. She's happy with music back into her life, but her heart still yearns for his touch.

Callum glances once again to the same table and abruptly gets up. "But you're the one that needs to tell them to stop that right away. How are we the only ones seeing that? He's fondling him?" Callum shakes his head. "My eyes cannot unsee this." And walks to the other side of the room. "No! Refuse to see that!" Callum yells.

Aimee laughs out loud and starts walking toward the poker table to admonish politely her father and Michael.

"Hey, stranger!" Jamie's voice booms over the deafening sound and interrupts her pace.

"Oh, my god!" Aimee throws her arms around her. "It's so good to see you!" She glances around and sees the other three members of Rattlesnake. "Are you guys playing here tonight?"

"Yeah, we were called to play at a bachelorette party."

"That's us! Josie's getting married." Aimee responds with a grin on her face.

"Rad." they all nod. "I hear you're a big shot now."

"So classical concert piano news travels around the scene in the Bay?"

Jamie chuckles. "You do not know how often your music plays during the day."

Aimee's face falters. Does her music play in the Northern? Is it Liam? It has to be Liam.

"Hey, play a set with us," Theo asks.

Aimee glances to the stage and sees the piano at its centre calling to her. "Okay, one song." Aimee follows the band to the back.

After some discussion and preparation, the band is finally ready to release their sound to the eager crowd. The music in the bar ceases and the lights shine on the stage. Each Rattlesnake member makes their way out and plays a few songs to warm up the crowd.

Josie takes Tessa from the table and drags her to the dance floor. Michael whispers something to Paulo and gets up. He walks over to the counter where he leans to see the band playing while nodding at the music.

From the corner of his eye, he notices a familiar face. "Forsyth!"

Liam stands awkwardly behind the bar and frowns when he sees Michael. "What are you doing here?" his demeanour is standoffish.

Michael sits down at the bar. "What a fucking greeting is that, man?"

Liam crosses his arms expectantly.

"I'm here for the wedding."

Liam's jaw hardens. "We're not supposed to know one another, remember? You being here makes things difficult." He looks around the bar in search of the brunette. "Especially when she's here, too."

"No one knows I know you. Relax." Michael smirks. "What about a drink?"

Liam takes a glass and pours whiskey and slings the glass towards his old friend.

"Hey, how was the ticket? Did all go okay?"

Liam nods angrily.

"I don't understand why you want those obscure seats all the time. I could put you again in the audience's front seat..."

"No," Liam cuts him. "I can't risk her seeing me again."

"She didn't see you." Michael contradicts him.

"She did. She told me herself." Liam looks down to the counter, recalling the brief shared moment at the surf shop.

"You've spoken to her?" Liam shrugs. "I take it, it didn't go well?"

"No. Well, yes... I mean, she didn't punch me or anything like that. She almost seemed... I don't know... happy to see me."

"Maybe she was happy to see you."

Liam scoffs and looks away. "After what I did. She will never forgive me."

Paulo approaches the bar and places his arm around Michael's. "Where are you with those drinks you promised?" He looks at Liam. "Or are you flirting with the bartender?"

Michael roars with laughter. "This guy? His interests lay somewhere else..." He eyes Liam and then Paulo. "This is Paulo." he says to Liam.

Liam freezes. "You're Aimee's father?"

Paulo extends his hand to him. "You got me. Your name is?"

Liam gulps and shakes his hands reluctantly. "Liam."

Paulo stops shaking his hand for a moment, and then he looks at Michael. "Oh." He drops his hand to the counter and ponders for a moment. "Part of me would like to kill you for breaking her heart. But I believe my son already took care of that some months ago."

"What?" Michael raises his eyes at Paulo.

"Liam here met with Callum and Callum broke his hand punching Liam's pretty face."

Liam looks down, embarrassed.

"But the other part of me wants to thank you for bringing her back to her music."

Liam's face falls in surprise and then he lands his gaze on Michael angrily.

Michael raises his hands to appease Liam. "Calm down. She doesn't know a thing. I made him promise before I told him."

"You told me no one knew..." Liam clenches his jaw.

"Well, no one in Australia." Michael clarifies with a smirk.

"I only did what Josie asked me to do." Liam looks at Paulo. "And I've kept my promise to Callum and Eva. I'm staying away from your daughter."

Across the room, the Rattlesnakes play the last notes of the song.

"We have a little treat for you guys," Jamie announces at the mic. "She played with us for a few weeks and is a dear friend. We persuaded her to join us on stage to celebrate the marriage of two beautiful souls." She looks at Aimee, that stands ready by the side. "Now, for those of you who know her, I'm here to reassure you that this will not be a classical rendezvous of a Chopin."

The audience laughs and Aimee walks outside. The crowd cheers and she locates Josie and Tessa and points at them before reaching to her heart and mouthing 'Love you guys'. Josie and Tessa respond by sending a flurry of kisses towards her.

Aimee takes her seat on the piano and approaches the mic. "So, my dad was a big fan of the classics and I think this music encapsulates how I see you both. So this is for you two. Love you guys."

Tessa whoops and embraces Josie.

"This is my version of La vie en rose with a little help of Rattlesnake."

The first notes drop and Aimee starts her rendition in French while Jamie plays a crescendo with her guitar and the drums drop a steady beat that allows people to dance to the music.

Liam stares at her, hypnotised by her music and her beauty. His heart longs for her.

Paulo stares at the young man and his daughter. "The piano is a nice touch."

Liam peels his eyes from Aimee and fixes his gaze on her father.

"Everyone makes mistakes. It's what you make of yourself after those mistakes that matter. Josie may have asked you for help, but what you did is not just helping." Paulo looks towards the piano. "You've built this for her. And, I don't know what my son made you promise. Whatever it is, it won't matter if she wants you. What she wants is what matters."

"The flowers. She took them after every opening night," Michael interrupts. "She never said it, but I believe she knows they are from you. Maybe you're wrong. Maybe she's ready to forgive you."

Paulo takes Michael's hand. "Who do you think she's singing to?" And leads him to the dancefloor, leaving Liam behind.

Liam walks closer to the stage. He sees how she's playing with her eyes closed. Her soft voice echoing in the hall just like he imagined. The musical bridge comes in and Aimee opens her eyes and glances around the Northern, searching. Her gaze finally lies on him. She shifts to an English version of the song and unwaveringly stares at Liam that retorts her gaze.

The music halts, with Aimee belting a high note that forces her to close her eyes to control the pitch. When she opens her eyes again, it enraptured the audience in applause.

Aimee scours the Northern, but can't find him any longer. "Thank you," she announces and exits the stage.

Josie and Tessa approach, and Josie embraces her.

"Oh, my god!" Josie squeals in excitement. "That was beautiful!"

"I'm glad you liked it," Aimee responds softly while looking around frantically for him.

"That was a beautiful rendition. He would be proud." Paulo embraces her softly.

"Thanks, pai," Aimee says distractedly.

How could he just leave? She looks down, embarrassed at herself for wearing her heart on her sleeve.

"Are you sure you don't want to transition into contemporary music?"

Paulo laughs at his boyfriend's joke, but Aimee's smile doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"Are you okay?" Paulo asks.

Aimee nods and fakes a smile.

"He's outside. I saw him go out from the back." Paulo interjects.

"Who?" she frowns at his comment.

"I've met Liam. He is the one you're looking for, no?"

Aimee gulps, "You've met him? Listen, he is..."

"Tell me later. Now go." Paulo gives her a reassuring smile.

Aimee runs towards the outside world and sees Liam sitting on a staircase with his hands over his head.

"Hey, you're here."

Liam looks up, surprised to hear her voice.

"Was I that bad?" she chuckles half-heartedly.

Aimee sits by his side and Liam shuffles softly to allow her space. "Bad? No... You were amazing. You are amazing..." He discloses and Aimee blushes.

They both stay silent, looking at the rubbish bins.

"Why you're running from me?" Aimee breaks the silence.

Liam's face falters. "I'm not running from you."

"Since I've seen you the other day, I have the feeling you are avoiding me." Aimee retorts.

Liam gets up and places his hands in his pockets. "I'm just busy with work."

"You don't surf anymore?"

"I do. Every day."

But he hasn't surfed since running into her, fearing not being able to control himself. He takes a few steps back, and circles around himself like a dog chasing his own tail. He's barely controlling himself now. All he wants to do is scoop her into his arms and kiss her.

"Oh..." she responds. "I haven't seen you around the beach..."

"You're surfing again?" Liam asks eagerly.

"Yeah, but I don't know it was better when it was with you..." she blurts out.

Liam's eyes widen and he ponders what he should say next. Michael's and Paulo's words ringing in his ears.

"Can we not try to just be friends? You are my brother's partner, my cousin's friend, and my birth mother brother-in-law..." Aimee gets up and catches her hair with her left hand. "We are connected, so we need to move past it."

Liam stares into her gorgeous eyes, her perfect lips, her slender fingers.

"How are you feeling with the whole Eva is your mother thing?"

Aimee opens her mouth in surprise. "I..." She slumps back down. "Fuck knows, to be honest. She was my friend and now she's my birth mother."

Liam sits back down, this time around, allowing himself closer to her. "Have you spoken to her?"

"We speak once in a while. She's always walking in eggshells around me."

Liam smirks.

"What?" Aimee enquires.

"Of course she is. You're a force to be reckoned with."

Aimee chuckles at his comment.

"She wants this more than anything else. I'm not telling you what to do, but I think she deserves to be heard. It's killing her, pommie, not being able to speak to you."

"Pommie... how can I miss such an annoying little nickname?" she chuckles.

There's a gush of warm air that blows. The breeze inebriates him with the vanilla scent that emanates from her hair. He closes his eyes for a beat, taking in the sweet smell and remembering her touch. His pinky finger stretches independently of his own will and reaches for her hand. It grazes her palm softly.

"Liam?" she interrupts his thoughts.

Liam opens his eyes and stares into her emerald eyes. He thinks about how much he wants to kiss her. He licks his lips and stares at her plump lips. Aimee's breath quickens, noticing the shift between them. Liam's hand raises and touches her face softly, readying himself to steal a promised kiss. Aimee closes her eyes with his touch expectantly.

"Pommie..." he repeats it softly, lowering his lips to meet hers.

A car alarm disrupts the moment with its incessant racket. Liam removes his hand from her face.

The blaring in the background awakens his brain that her presence has numbed. Michael's and Paulo's encouraging tone is replaced by Callum's and Eva's reproach.

He gets up abruptly. "I'm sorry I forgot to check something in the bar and I need to go."

Aimee opens her eyes, shaken by the sudden change. "Oh..."

Liam walks back to the bar. His mind screams at him. He turns around and faces her once again.

"You are amazing with your music and everything else that you do." He says abruptly. "You should give Eva a chance to give her version of events..." He places his right hand inside his jeans pockets. "And we're good. I will always be good with you. I'm just trying to..." He gestures with his left hand to his head. "Get used to seeing you every day again," he justifies.

Aimee gives him a small smile that makes his heart swell.

"See you at the wedding, Aimee." Liam disappears back inside.

Aimee looks back at the rubbish bins and sighs. "See you at the wedding, Liam."