Page 18 of The Island Villa

“Maybe. But that doesn’t mean I’m not right.” Mia studied her thoughtfully. “You know what’s going to happen? One day you are going to meet someone, and you are going to have to rethink everything you believe about relationships. And when that happens, you will call me and tell me about it, and I promise that I won’t say I told you so.”

“That’s good to know, because the last thing I want is a smug friend.” Adeline found it easy to laugh because she knew that was never going to happen. She also knew when to let a subject go. She could respect the fact that they had differing views.

But Mia didn’t seem in a hurry to change the subject. “I understand that you’re scared, but—”

“Scared? I’m not scared. If I was buying an apartment, I’d have a list of things that are important to me. Good light, high ceilings, a balcony because I appreciate outdoor space. A relationship is no different. The point I’m making is that it’s essential to identify fundamental elements that are important to you and not deviate. If you rely on gut instinct or emotion, you guarantee a future of regret.”

“You’re basically saying it’s better to choose safe and boring over excitement?”

It is fascinating, Adeline thought, how human beings can look at the same facts and interpret them so differently. “I look at my mother’s romantic history and I don’t see excitement. I see carnage.”

“We’re not talking about your mother. We’re not talking about her multiple weddings, or any of those things. We’re talking about you. You’re thirty, Adeline. You should be dancing until your feet hurt, and staggering home from a bar with a sexy and deeply unsuitable man.”

“That sounds like no fun at all. Also very unsafe.”

Mia leaned forward. “Promise me one thing.”

Adeline frowned. “That would be rash. I need to know what I’m promising.”

“Let me choose your clothes for Greece. My gift to you.”

“No, but thank you.”

“Are you questioning my taste?”

“No.” Adeline shook her head. “Your taste is flawless. I’m questioning your motives. You’ll send me naked, sexy, unsuitable clothes that just aren’t me, and I’ll feel too self-conscious to wear them.”

“I wouldn’t do that. I will send you clothes that make you look your absolute best. It’s what I do. I know you hate shopping.”

It was true, she did hate shopping and shopping for a wedding she didn’t want to attend wasn’t an experience she was relishing.

“All right. I’ll let you choose. Thank you. Send me the bill.”

“Between samples and my discount, there won’t be much of a bill. It will be my gift to you. So—” Mia lowered her sunglasses and studied Adeline “—we need swimwear, beachwear, a few floaty dresses for hot evenings, and something for a wedding. Aren’t you looking forward to it at all? I’d do anything to spend a couple of weeks on a Greek Island.”

“It’s not the Greek Island that’s the problem. It’s all the emotional stuff. And I can’t stop worrying about Dad. I’m used to him being uncommunicative when he’s painting, but he’s worse than usual. He never answers his phone.”

“He’s a man.” Mia stretched out her legs and lifted her face to the sun. “He prefers the real world to technology. Your dad is the last person on the planet not to own a smartphone. He spends his time gazing at scenery rather than a screen. And good for him. He’s an inspiration to all of us.”

“I would have liked to have an actual conversation with him.”

“He’s probably burying himself in his art, and his teaching, so that he doesn’t have to think about your mother.”

“That’s true.” The ache in her chest was back. “He’s keeping himself busy.” He’d done the same thing after her mother had left. In his own way, he was as bad as her mother, preferring to escape from reality instead of accepting it.

Mia moved her chair into the shade. “What about your half sister? Is she going? Have you been in touch?”

“Not recently. And I’m sure she will be going. Cassie is the original romantic.”

Guilt stabbed at her, as it always did when she thought of Cassie.

Her half sister had lost her father tragically, but her loss was so interwoven with Adeline’s loss that it was impossible to unravel the strands. Her own emotions when it came to her half sister were too complicated and painful to process, so she locked them away. It wasn’t as if they saw each other so it wasn’t something she thought about day to day, but occasionally the memory of it all popped into her mind and darkened her day.

Mia sat up and topped up her wine. “I know you don’t particularly like your sister—”

That wasn’t it.

Adeline’s heart started to race and her mouth was dry.

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