Page 11 of Bound to You

“Well, I guess we’re the orphans your cousin brought home,” May responds.

Marina lets out another small laugh. “Yeah, Caio has a knack for helping anyone he possibly can. He even leaves a bowl of food out on his balcony for the stray cat that hangs around here.” The image flashes into my head—Caio with a cat curled up in his lap, sipping a cup of tea like a cozy grandma, and I can’t hold in my laugh at the thought.

“Oh, so he has a thing for strays?” May asks.

Marina’s eyes soften. “My cousin was raised as a gentleman, so it’s like it’s embedded in his DNA. He just can’t resist the magnetic force to help everyone.” Her tone quickly turns sarcastic as she starts emphasizing her words with her entire upper body. “He’s like a fucking saint in this town. You walk around with him and everyone on the street will stop to talk with him as if he’s the pope or something.”

“Should we feel more honored that he brought us to his palace?” May mocks a British accent. AterribleBritish accent.

Marina snorts a laugh. “I’m surprised he didn’t bring you by horse and carriage. He’s obviously losing his touch.”

I don’t think he’s losing his touch one bit, but I keep that to myself.

“Okay, in all seriousness, Caio has the biggest heart out of everyone I’ve ever met, and he shows it in many ways, including helping strangers...and cats.” We all let out a chuckle at that.

“Okay then, miracle girl,” May sits up. “Show us what you’ve got.”

In the spanof ten minutes, our hotel room went from neat and tidy to looking like a bomb went off with dresses and shoes strewn all across the floor.

Marina cracked open a bottle of rosé from the fridge and we’ve made ourselves at home on the bed, each with a glass in hand, as we wait for May to come out in her next outfit. She must’ve tried on at least seven different dresses by now, but according to her, they’re all either too frumpy, too long, or too short.

“Are you going to the event tonight?” I ask Marina.

“Yeah, I try to come to most of the events Caio hosts here just for support, but I actually own a business in town, so I’ve got an official invite tonight.”

“Oh, what kind of place have you got?”

“I own a bar called Marina’s,” she says, taking a gulp of wine.

“A bar you say?” May says as she comes strutting into the room, her heels clacking against the wooden floor.

“Oh, that’s the one,” Marina blurts out as May does a twirl, the fierce red fabric floating after her. The skirt is mid-calf length with a generous slit on the left side so her leg peeks through as she walks. Frills line the edges of the skirt and the straps. If I wore something like this, it would look like I was going to flamenco lessons, but it’s perfect on her.

Marina propels off the bed to go searching through her suitcase before she pulls out a sparkling diamond necklace and clasps it together around May’s neck. It fits short, more like a choker, and it suits the look flawlessly.

“Perfect,” she says.

It’sMay's turn to lie on the bed while I sift through the rack—and the floor—for something to wear. I’m not as picky about dresses as I love them. If I could wear one every day I would, but nothing here is really catching my eye.

“So this bar...you named it after yourself?” May inquires.

“Yeah, I couldn’t think of anything better at the time.” Marina laughs harder than she should. How many glasses of wine has this girl had by now?

“I don’t remember seeing it on Main,” I mention as I pick up a silky turquoise dress that was hidden between two brighter dresses on the rack. It has a simple silhouette, but I love it.

“Oh, that’s because it’s on the next street back along with lots of other restaurants and cafes. Only a few are actually on Main Street. You’ll have to come visit at some point.” She tilts her head, looking thoughtful for a moment before adding, “On that topic, how long are you guys planning on sticking around for?”

Now that nothing awaits us in Sorrento, I don’t see why we couldn’t stay here for a while, so long as we can find some work because we still can’t afford this place. We can’t afford Marina’s help either. This is just something else we will need to pay back in one way or another. But this town is like a fairytale, and it feels like the perfect atmosphere for some soul searching. The favors end after tonight though. From tomorrow onward, we’ll be on our own, but at least we can be on our own here.

“Until the end of summer?” I say, looking over at May, who’s wearing a smile that says that she agrees with that impromptu change of plans.

The rest of their conversation fades as I go into the other room to change.

As I slide the thin straps over my shoulders, I take in my reflection in the full-length mirror that stands in the corner of the room. I’ve never worn a dress so...perfect. It’s simple but elegant, and the cool satin fabric hugs my figure in all the right places—tighter around my waist and chest, and my boobs have never looked better as the tight form gives them a little extra push. I just need a little something else.

I waltz out to the living room and the others immediately cut their conversation.

“Oh Isla, it's stunning,” May says.

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