Page 73 of Stolen Kiss

“They’re staring at us,” Heidi said. “Do you think they’re talking about me?”

“Not likely. The punch up was two weeks ago. So much gossip has happened since then.”

“Really, like what?”

“When will Erica Turner announce she’s pregnant,” Freya said, laughing into her pint of cider.

“No, really, they’re wondering that?”

“Yeah, you’re like royalty on this island marrying a Turner but you’re also a mega superstar, so they’re probably staring at you.”

Heidi was glad the heat was off her but she instantly felt guilty because she liked Erica.

“Maybe they’re looking at you to see who you will set your sights on,” Erica said.

“Do you think?” Freya asked looking around the pub.

In truth no one was looking their way now. The novelty of Hollywood superstar drinking in the local pub clearly wasn’t that interesting beyond thirty minutes.

As the night wore on, and more drinks were consumed, the questions got more candid.

“So, are you going to marry Jason Turner?” Freya asked.

Heidi, while two sheets to the wind wanted to avoid any Jason talk. They’d spent two weeks together either at her place or his. Each time him cooking, including Sunday where he brought enough roasties that would last for weeks. Keith wasn’t there. His place didn’t look like it had been lived in for months, let alone weeks when she last saw him. Heidi wanted to talk to him and hoped he would show up. She quizzed her parents, and they hadn’t seen him either but they reasoned it was a small island and he couldn’t be far.

Conversation moved away from the subject of Keith and onto other safer subjects. She didn’t want to talk about it on Sunday,and Freya would know because she was there and she didn’t want to talk about it now.

“Freya, did you know Erica has a Hemsworth phone number?” Heidi said with a nod, leaning back in her chair.

She crossed her arms over her chest as she swayed to the left and then righted herself. Maybe she was more drunk than she thought, but Freya’s eyes were on Erica and that was all she needed.

“Which one, Liam? Please say its Liam. Or whichever one isn’t married.”

Erica giggled, reaching down for her bag. She leaned over too far and fell off her chair, launching into louder laughter. That set off Heidi and then Freya was joining in. they thought it was hilarious and couldn’t catch their breathes. That should have been Heidi’s sign to head home, but instead, she yelled, “another round?” It was an exclamation rather than a question.

“Having fun, ladies?” a deep voice said behind them.

Heidi turned first and eyed the three Turner brothers. She was definitely team Jason but the three men together was a sight to be seen.

“Luke!” Freya squealed and rushed from her seat jumping into his arms. He caught her in time and she flung her arms around his neck.

For two people who proclaimed they are just friends that was some greeting. Heidi looked to Erica who was being helped up by Archer, his hands under her armpits to get her onto the seat, then her eyes swung to Jason who was smouldering with something akin to sinful.

“Are you drunk?” he asked, grinning.

She looked at her fingers, stretched her hand out to get some focus and then lifted her thumb and forefinger, parting them a half inch. “Maybe a little,” she said and widened the gap and closed it again.

He laughed and picked up her handbag, placing it on her lap. “We’re going,” he said good-naturedly.

“We were just about to order another round,” Heidi said pointing to the bar in case Jason had no idea where drinks came from in a pub.

“We have drinks up at the cottages, we can continue the party up there.”

“Hey, wait. Where’s Daisy?” Freya said after untangling herself from Luke.

“She’s up at the cottages stoking the fire pit.”

“Oh,” Freya said, frowning. “Why are you and Daisy here? Isn’t it term time?”

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