Page 32 of Roaming Holiday

As the time inches closer to noon, we change into bathing suits to head to the beach. The thought of Beck being there makes me regret bringing a one-piece, even if it rides high over my hip bones and has a low V-neck.

I stop in front of the mirror, my gaze dipping down to my ass as I pinch the extra skin. A lot of people expect tall girls to be stick-thin the way my sister is, but having hips and height means I take up more space than I want to. I’ve spent years making myself smaller, stopping only out of exhaustion, not desire. Low-waist bikinis make the bone structure of my hips look wider than I want them to, and high-waist bikinis or one-pieces are the only swimsuits I feel comfortable in.

I huff, sliding on my cover-up. This is as good as it gets.

16

NINA

We spend the next few hours at a picturesque beach only a few minutes outside of Kosita.

From here, the city looks etched into the side of a hill, its architecture marking just how old it could be. I read a chapter or two of my book before texting Raven; she watches too many kidnapping movies and is terrified I’ll be a victim. I don’t tell her a brooding tree of a man is guarding me, but I assure that I’m fine. I send a couple of pictures from my days, and she gushes over the aesthetic of it all.

Raven

OMG! Please please find a Maldanian man to have a fling with so I can live vicariously.

I chuckle, glance at Beck standing dutifully behind me, and type a reply.

I don’t think Zafir would like that or that it’s gonna happen, girl. Sorry. I’ll be sure to take pictures of parliament, though!

My soon-to-be-diplomat of a friend is as nerdy in her field as I am in mine. It’s why we’re still so close. She doesn’t ask for details about Mom and it’s nice to text back and forth about normal travel things.

I think I could live here forever.

Raven

Uh oh. That has more weight since your mom’s from there.

When are you coming home?

My return flight’s been canceled.

Raven

????

What is going on? Am I never seeing you again?

Of course you will!!

I still have a lot to sort out here.

She’s skeptical, but lets me know she has my back. With a full heart, I pull up Instagram to make a few posts to my stories. So far, the day is good. Clear skies. Calm waters.

So why do I pull up James’s Instagram page?

The most recent post is a group picture with the friends I always hated. A pit gathers in my stomach when his arm is around a woman. She’s beautiful, but judging from her severely ripped jeans and crop top, she’s not his type.

Why do I care?

I lock and shove my phone into my bag with more force than necessary. Drinks. I need a piña colada. My high has worn off enough to warrant one. Maia’s swimming in the clear blue water, flirting with a guy. After a quick scan, I notice Mason watching her. Good. The best part about having a bodyguard is that I don’t have to worry about my little sister too much.

I sit peacefully at the beach bar until Beck lowers beside me ten minutes later. His sunglasses are removed and slung over the neckline of his white button-up. The sleeves, rolled to his elbow, hug his muscles and a fleeting thought of raking my nails over them crosses my mind.

I stir my piña colada. “I don’t need protection here. It’s a private beach.”

“Three different men have been staring at you around the beach for an hour. Two of them moved to the bar since you sat here.”

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