Page 10 of Holiday Home 5

“No, nothing like that,” Liam said, feeling an uncomfortable prickling sensation scampering up his arms. “It’s not even comparable to our relationship. Erm, it’s not really even a relationship yet. We’ve just talked a little, here and there.”

“Does Tess know?!” Anna asked in a hurried whisper. “DoesAvril?!”

“Tess knows, yes. She was really shocked about it too—so was I when it first began to seem possible, honestly. Right now, she seems more amused by the possibility that Victoria might actually be interested in me than anything. Truth be told, she was the one who suggested I start working on becoming a decentmasseuse. To help me out, I guess. As for Avril, no, not yet. Victoria made it clear she didn’t want me to have loose lips, but I knew I needed to share things with at least you and Tess. With Avril, I feel like it’s riskier to share than to eventually surprise her once…ifthings work out.”

“That’s probably the correct way to view things,” Anna said, still seeming awed by his revelation. It was better than any number of unpleasant alternatives. But itstillwasn’t permission, so Liam knew he needed to keep the conversation going.

“How do you, uh, feel about that? The possibility, I mean. Of me testing if there reallyisa possibility? Are you also okay with it? I won’t be upset if it’s too far—too much.”

Anna stayed quiet for about a minute. He didn’t press her to finish mulling things over quickly, even if the wait heaped stress onto his shoulders. Who was going to give himhisstress-relieving massage?

Curiously, Anna ended up opting for a familiar route. One that he’d received during winter break. Back then, he’d gotten it from a professor, and it’d involved his relationship with a student from Bellmore. This time around, it was reversed.

“I’m not sure how I feel, exactly. I’m… sharing my first boyfriend a lot more than I would have ever imagined I would already.”

Liam nodded understandingly. He opened his mouth, yet Anna kept going. She’d always been good about elaborating on her thoughts, ensuring she voiced her feelings' breadth.

“But I don’t know ifone moreis going to exactly tip the scales. Maybe we can treat Fiji as a… testing ground? I can see how it goes and how I end up feeling, and then we can talk about it afterward? I… can tell Avril is already planning some more…thingslike what we did the other day—when we were on the phone together. And I’ve prepared myself for them… even to maybe go along… a little bit. I’m going to try to take her advicewhile I'm here. I don’t want to be too self-inhibiting. So, I won’t ask the same of you.”

“That’s more than I could ever ask for,” Liam said. “But if you feel wrong or bad or dislike things, even just for a second, you’ll bring it up as soon as you can, okay? Just so we can always be connected and on the right page?”

Anna nodded. “I will, I promise.” A bit of color returned to her face. “And… you still have plans forourrelationship, right? While we’re vacationing?”

Liam couldn’t have smiled wider if he tried. “So, so many.”

Chapter Four

Bula

Once the easternmost islands came into view, which the pilots reported over the intercom, everyone looked out their nearest window. Far beneath them, though closer with each passing second, five lucky passengers could see gorgeous islands interspersed across the Pacific waters darting by. Most were uninhabited, covered in lush greenery, with barely any shoreline to speak of. Some looked like they were maybe a few hundred feet from one side to the other, while others might have been only ten paces from one side to the other. They saw dozens as they headed for Viti Levu.

For one reason or another, their plane had angled around to bring them in from the south. Therefore, Fiji’s largest island rolled out to the east, with dawn fully cracking over thedistant horizon a few minutes before. Looking across the entire expanse of mountainous terrain and tropical forests, he saw a paradise. Aware that they now counted touchdown in minutes, his excitement started steadily building. Once they finally approached the airport and began heading down, he was nearly trembling from it.

He wasn’t alone. No one, not even Victoria, could conceal their burgeoning anticipation. It was infectious within the cabin. They’d finally arrived. Their first minute, their first hour, their first day, their whole week—all awaited.

Avril was in complete control of things after they finally landed. As soon as they were out the plane door and interacting with customs, she dotted every I and crossed every T without a single hiccup. They received an incredibly warm welcome at customs as they handed over filled-out arrival cards. After checking the necessary boxes, they were allowed to exchange—some more than others—some of their money for Fijian dollars. That was when Liam discovered that the Fijians had a seven-dollar bill, which he and others stowed away as their first trip souvenirs.

Avril also picked up a set of car keys at customs, having apparently called ahead and solved the situation regarding their transport. After going through all the necessary steps to be released into Nadi, they were free to go. Following Avril’s confident gait, at just after six-thirty on April 1st, the five of them said a proper hello to the islands of Fiji.

More specifically, they said hello to the rented car waiting for them. Nadi, at least the city proper, was a few miles to the south. With about fifty thousand residents calling it home, it was certainly no sprawling metropolis, no urban sprawl like Honolulu. Mountains, including the extinct Mount Tomanivi volcano, ridged the east, presiding over the entire island’s center. From his research, Liam knew that almost every city ortown on the island of six hundred thousand resided along the coast and that a single major road crawled across the entire island’s perimeter.

That meant a substantial amount of driving, assuming they wanted to visit multiple places on Viti Levu. For now, they started by piling their luggage into the ample space provided by the van Avril had rented. After, they followed suit, with Avril taking the wheel and Victoria taking the passenger seat. That left Liam, Tess, and Anna to share the back.

“Please don’t forget that they drive on the left side of the road here,” Anna said, which implied to Liam that Avril might have done that in the past.

“I know, I know,” Avril said.

Then they were off, driving southward. Liam made sure to get his gawking in before becoming a pedestrian, in the way of locals who didn’t need to stop and stare at every riveting sight. The island was vibrant with greenery, including palm trees sprouting plentifully at the not-so-distant coastline. They passed through small clusters of civilization during the drive, passing homes and businesses, with many of the latter consisting of hotels and other tourist attractions. But then they’d break free again, like pushing through a hanging sheet on the line, once again surrounded by a brief expanse of untouched nature.

It was pretty much a straight shot to Nadi Market, which Anna had correctly assumed they’d get to visit. Avril made precisely one turn, and then there it was. It was an enormous farmer’s market, having just opened when they pulled in and parked. A massive metal roof hung high above rows and rows and rows of produce, flowers, and other wares, which they reached after entering a small overhang and taking some steps down into the main market thoroughfare.

Unsurprisingly, when five fresh-faced tourists stepped out of their van, especially with four of them vying to be consideredthe most beautiful thing on the island, attention gathered around them. Some other early arriving customers were already walking the aisles, looking through piles of ginger, mangoes, and watermelon. Looking at much of the produce, Liam had an amusing epiphany. Here, the seasonal fruits were just about to start heading out of season. Back in the States, with spring inbound, they were just beginning to comeintoseason.

For all the attention that Avril and the others received, it never escalated into anything uncomfortable. The signs here were all in English, offering prices over the various items for sale. Whenever there wasn’t one, or whenever Anna or someone inquired about something they were looking to get, they received polite information, suggestions, or directions. With how large it was, everyone eventually spread out, making decisions about what their first proper purchase in Fiji would be.

With Liam currently on his own, he perused the market without much haste. He didn’t have any pressing produce to pick up for himself, but he figured he could see what the others got, then try and fill any gaps. Dozens of large fans hanging from the thick poles supporting the ceiling buzzed overhead, not yet too needed. While it’d been warm since they arrived, it was still early. However, he hoped it did climb into the eighties as the forecast had promised.

He very much wanted the weather to be on his side so that he could see some sights he knew would last for a lifetime.

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