Page 122 of The Wake-Up Call

“We!” Lucas’s mother shrieks in delight.

Lucas laughs and takes my hand. “Yes, both of us,” he says.

“That is, if you’ll have me,” I add.

“We’ve wanted you since that first photo,amiga,” Ana says. “Anyone who annoys Lucas that much belongs in this family.”

They stay for almost an hour. Helena and her brother learn how to say “I want more sweeties” in English, thanks to the potentially quite dangerous influence of Ruby Hedgers, and Ruby learns how to say “I want to go to Rio de Janeiro!” in Brazilian Portuguese, which might be a problem for Mr. and Mrs. Hedgers, given the cost of flights. But having the da Silvas hanging out over the party takes everything up a notch. By the time Arjun declares the evening buffet open, complete with an array of desserts in the orangery, everyone is very loud, very happy, and—for the most part—very drunk.

“Your friend, she’s so beautiful!” Pedro shouts at me as we dance.

He’s here as a guest but spent at least an hour helping Arjun in the kitchen, and doubled up as a magician for a while when our actual magician had to take a phone call. We are not afraid to accept a favour here at Forest Manor Hotel, and it turns out Lucas’s friend is way too generous for his own good.

“Jem, you mean?”

I look back at her—she’s dancing with a few of the women fromhousekeeping, eyes closed, hips swaying. She’s in her favourite dress, the red velvet one with a sweetheart neckline, and her dark brown skin is sprayed with fine gold glitter. All her piercings are gold today, too, shining under the Christmas lights. Shedoeslook gorgeous.

Pedro is already angling to dance her way.

“Pedro sleeps with women and never calls them back,” Lucas says in my ear, dancing behind me. “I’m sorry. I thought I should say.”

I laugh, turning to wind my arms around his neck so we can dance the way we did on that strange, snowy day in London.

“That won’t work with Jem,” I say, half to Lucas, half to Pedro. “She’s demisexual. She has to form an emotional connection first—she would never sleep with a guy she’s only just met.”

Pedro stares at me, abruptly abandoning his dance moves. “Demi... sexual?”

“Uh-huh.”

“So she won’t want to sleep with me?”

“Not unless you’ve built an emotional relationship, no.”

“Emotional?” Pedro says, looking positively panicked.

“It’s nice, Pedro.” I’m trying not to laugh. “You should try it sometime.”

A tap on the shoulder distracts me from Pedro’s wide, anxious eyes.

Ugh.

Louis Keele. I tighten my arm around Lucas’s waist as we both turn to look at him. Louis is wearing a casual smile, a crisp shirt, and a little too much cologne. I glance up at Lucas.He’swearing a familiar glower.

“Hey, you two, I was hoping to catch you,” Louis says. Very relaxed and friendly. No suggestion that last time he saw me he was viciously unpleasant, but I suspected he’d play it this way after his“no hard feelings” text. “I thought I should give you a heads-up about my new investment,” he continues, his smile beginning to look more like a smirk. “Only fair. An old schoolhouse in Fordingbridge came on to the market and I just... Well. I couldn’t resist. It’s going to make a beautiful hotel.”

“You... are opening a hotel?” Lucas says.

“Oh my God,” I say before Louis can answer. “Is that why you were asking so many questions about Forest Manor?” My voice rises. “Were youeverconsidering actually investing? Or were you just trying to steal all our best ideas?”

“I was considering investing,” Louis says, extremely insincerely.

“You wanted to poach Arjun, didn’t you?” I say, advancing on Louis with a pointing finger.

Lucas tightens his grip on me. “Easy,” he says, but I can hear the smile in his voice.

“Who wouldn’t want to poach Arjun?” Louis says. “He’s the best chef in the New Forest. He wouldn’t budge, though. You lot really have your claws in him.”

“And what insults did you have for Arjun when you failed to seduce him?” Lucas asks politely. “Ishea small, mousey nobody, too?”

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