Page 63 of Dial A for Aunties

“Well, hmmm. Hard to explain.”

Could I be any more frustrated? Pretty sure I’m so freaking anxious and annoyed right now I could choke a horse. Though I wouldn’t. But I could. “Second Aunt!”

“Well, no matter, nothing can do. What you call me for?”

I shake my head a little, trying to clear it of the angry fog. Deep breaths. Inhale. Exhale. Focus on the wedding, on poor Jacqueline. And anyway, I can always ask Ma what the hell’s going on. Ma can never keep a secret from me. “The bride needs you to touch up her makeup before the ceremony.”

“Ah, okay! I go there now.”

As soon as she hangs up, I scroll through my contacts to dial Ma’s number, but someone clears his throat, interrupting me.

“Nathan!” Oh no, how long has he been there? What has he heard? What have I said?

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Ha, no, you didn’t.” He did. “Can you I help?”

“What?” He frowns.

I wince. This is what happens when I try to speak while frantically rifling through my conversation with Second Aunt for anything incriminating. “Sorry, I meant, did you need something?” Did that come out too brusque?

“Um. I wanted to apologize for—” Nathan gestures around him with a sigh. “You know. Everything that just happened. I tried to dissuade them from searching your room. I know that was a real intrusion.”

Everything inside me melts. “Thank you for saying that. I know you did everything you could. But it’s okay, I didn’t mind, and it all got sorted out in the end, so.” I love you. I’m still in love with you.FOCUS.Sweet as he’s being, I can’t let myself get too distracted right now. I need to call Ma and find out what’s going on. “Anyway—”

“Where’s your boyfriend right now?”

“My what now?”

Nathan takes a deep breath, obviously trying not to show that he’s feeling a bit hurt by whatever he’s about to say. “Your boyfriend? The guy who was in your room before.”

Everything that just melted inside me moments ago freezes into sharp points. Shit. Step. Carefully. “Oh, um, he went for a walk around the resort,” I say, weakly. Oh god, he must think I’m the biggest asshole ever, having kissed him twice and then telling him I have a boyfriend. Argh!

“Really. That’s... interesting.” His handsome face is unreadable. “Only I took a look at the yacht passenger list, and he’s not listed as a passenger when you came to the island.”

“That’s—yeah. Uh huh.” Think! Quickly! “That’s because he’s actually one of the staff members?” I blurt out. My mind struggles to keep up with my mouth, going over the words. That’s actually not a bad idea. “Yeah, he’s actually not my boyfriend,he’s sort of a one-night stand. Or a one-morning stand, if you will.” I give what sounds like the world’s fakest laugh.

“So one of my staff members left his post to have a—a thing with you, and then took a nap in your room? I’ve gotta tell you, as his employer, I’m not very pleased to hear that.”

Can this possibly get any worse? “I don’t want to get anyone in trouble,” I warble. “I just—he wasn’t asleep for very long, we’d just—you know.”

Nathan sighs, his broad shoulders sagging a tad. “I know. I’m probably just letting my jealousy get in the way. Honestly, it’s fine. You’re both consenting adults. It’s been a bit of a day, that’s all.”

“I’m so sorry.” And oh, how I mean every word of that. I can’t even describe just how sorry I am about everything.

A small smile flickers across his face, turning it into the Nathan I know and love. If I could just reach out and kiss him. “No, don’t apologize. It’s okay. The crisis is over. I should go. Make sure everything’s running smoothly for the ceremony.”

“Right, yeah. I’ll see you around.”

“See you, Meddy.”

Just the sound of my name coming out in that low, rich tone is enough to send a shiver down my spine. I watch him leave, and then I shake my head to clear it once more. I’ve been doing a lot of that today. It’s hard for my mind to keep up with all the crazy that’s going on today. I take out my phone once more and call Ma.

“Hallo, Meddy?” In the background, people are hooting and laughing loudly.

“Ma, what’s going on?”

“Got small problem. Very small.” Something crashes and breaks from her end. It sounds large.

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