Page 69 of Playing with Fire

I would include sexy on my list of good compliments. I won't even consider it hot. People use the word too much until it loses meaning and heat should describe temperature does not serve as praise.

I felt El tap my wrist. "You, OK?" he mouths to me.

The tap on my wrist was the first time I became aware of my slight frown. "Yeah." I mouth back, nodding my head.

I maintained my silence until we reached our destination. After traveling for thirty minutes, we arrived at a pale yellow house with columns that were illuminated and numerous windows. The gate next to the house opened to the backyard.

Palm trees lined the front of the property and when I exited my vehicle I was immediately hit by the ocean breeze. The presence of two cars ahead of us indicated that the others had reached before us.

My prediction turned out to be right when Hazel came out of the house to hug me. Hazel held me so firmly that it caused pain in my lungs.

"Hi, Hazel." I laughed.

"Hi, Em." she smiles.

I collected my belongings and discovered

Hazel's bags in the living room. She told us that the guys were using the living room located on the house's other side and this one was ours. I placed my bags on one of the mattresses spread across the floor.

The house belonged to one of Neha's father's friends, so most bedrooms remained locked except the master bedroom.

The backyard featured a beautiful patio alongside its main highlight which was the pool. We should still remember about the kitchen dream they had.

This place will provide me with the best time ever.

After everyone had found their places to rest we walked to the bike rental place. Hazel and Kylie remained with me while her gossip provided entertainment. Our conversation circled around Felix as usual but there was something intriguing in their discussion.

Hazel states that she needs to give herself a sunburn tomorrow on purpose.

"Why would you do that?" I ask her with a laugh. He won't know whether I'm blushing. Hazel eyes me with a smile.

"Oh my god, Hazel." The moment we reached the bike shop Kylie burst into laughter.

"It would be wise to do that since she resembles a tomato so much–" Hazel slaps my shoulder to interrupt me.

"Shut up." she snaps.

With certainty in my words, I declared "You know it's true."

Hazel rolls her eyes while everyone gets their bikes. Some bikes came equipped with baskets while other bikes arrived without any. I approached the man at the register so I could retrieve my belongings.

"Are you new here?" He hands me my bike lock and key while asking if I'm new here.

I suppose so but my friends and I are vacationing down here. "How long are you guys here for?" he asks with a smile.

"Three days...why?" Where is this leading?

They have organized a large beach bonfire for tomorrow evening. You guys should come." He pulls me into the conversation about the bonfire while his head drops at the sight of an incoming text.

"What beach?" I ask.

The beach event tomorrow will be held at the beach down this road. The event will begin at seven if you choose to attend.

I will consider the invitation before I complete the payment and rejoin my companions.

When I proposed the party idea to my friends they showed their interest in attending. After our bike ride, we made our way to the house to begin showering.

The desire to be clean made me the first person to enter the shower.

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