Page 66 of That Island Feeling

‘Keith has been known to make the occasional visit,’ I say, swallowing a smile.

I don’t dare look at her. I know I won’t be able to keep it together, and I don’t want to expose our shared secret, both above and beneath the table.

Richie seems like he’s about to ask for clarification on what spirit form ‘Keith’ might inhabit when we catch a whiff of something burning. The boys leap up, scurrying back to the kitchen.

I reluctantly pull my leg away from Andie’s and push my chair back.

‘So, I assume you ladies are on dessert?’ I ask, standing to clear the plates. Taylor’s is scraped clean; she’s evidently enjoyed her breadless bruschetta.

‘Yup. We bought a block of chocolate from the general store,’ Andie says. ‘We’re in charge of a row each.’

I pause, amused. ‘So, this was all a clever ploy to get us to cook for you?’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ she puffs, amber eyes dancing.

‘Given how it’s going in there, we’ll probably have to order in from Charlie’s again anyway,’ Taylor scoffs.

‘And I’d so love to stick around to see that unfold, but unfortunately I have to head off in a sec,’ I say, glancing at the clock and seeing that it’s already almost 9 p.m. ‘I have a guest request to attend to.’

I really don’t want to leave. Do I take a chance and ask Andie to join me?

Andie sighs. ‘Lucky you. Funnily enough, I’m not in the mood for raw pasta or cremated lamb. If you’d like some company, I’d be happy to help you?’

Excitement ripples through me as I catch the intimate gleam in her eyes.

This time it feels less like a convenient excuse to get away from her friends and more like a convenient excuse to spend time alone with me.

‘Well, who could refuse such an offer,’ I say, quickly. I’m treated to a full-beam smile.

As we gather our bags to leave, I hand her the lilies.

‘For me?’

I nod, and her face brightens again.

Night, made.

Chapter Twenty-eight

ANDIE

‘Your hospital corners are making me horny,’ Jack says, grinning at me as he fluffs a pillow.

Typically, the word ‘horny’ would have the opposite effect on me, but right now it’s making me wonder if there’s any time to spare before these guests return.

Holiday hook-up rule number three: Have sex in all the places at all the times.

Heat rises in my cheeks at the daring thought.

‘Where did you pick up those skills?’ Jack continues, his tone playful.

And with that one question, all salacious thoughts dissipate.

I move to the other side of the bed, take the excess sheet fabric hanging from the corner and fold it diagonally across the mattress until it forms a sharp triangular shape.

‘I’ve made a lot of hospital beds in my time,’ I answer vaguely, as I tuck the folded sheet under the mattress to form the crisp corner.

‘Oh?’ Jack’s brow furrows as he begins fashioning the doona cover with two flat sheets.

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