Page 22 of One Week in Paradise
‘Jet-skiing and some good rum,’ laughs Marcus.
I watch them closely as we dig into our meals. You can tell they’ve been together for a while. There’s something easy about the way they interact with each other. Marcus doesn’t even need to ask before he slips a pile of mushrooms onto Bea’s plate, and Bea doesn’t even glance his way as she picks up his glass and gives his drink an experimental sip.
The others are the same. Meera and Sara have angled their chairs, so they’re leaning into each other. I watch as they pick from each other’s plates and do a cheesy arm loopto drink their wine. Danny’s got an arm draped over Lacey’s shoulders, and he seems to have no issue eating one-handed if it means he can maintain contact with her.
Bea is staring at Cash and me intently. I wonder what she sees when she looks at us. I glance over at him, and I’m surprised to see he’s looking at me. Or to be accurate, he’s looking at my plate.
‘See something you like?’
His gaze flickers back up to me and lingers for just a beat too long. Despite the humid heat around us, I shiver.
‘Are those plantain?’ He points at the small pile on my plate. ‘I’ve never had one before.’
I nod and pluck a piece from my plate. ‘Feel free to try some. They’re delicious. And it’s plantain. Like mountain.’
‘Plantain,’ he says, with a teasing grin. ‘Like abstain.’
I wonder if I’m imagining the way his eyes drop to my mouth as I pop the piece in. ‘We’re in Jamaica,’ I tell him. ‘You’ve got to say it like they do.’
He shrugs and, after a brief moment of hesitation, snatches one from my plate. He takes a tentative bite, then his eyes go wide, and he quickly devours the whole piece. ‘That was great.’
I laugh. ‘Welcome to your newest obsession. Dane and I could get through five fingers in a day when we were younger. Used to drive Mum mad.’ I pick up another piece and squeeze it between my fingers. ‘These are a little fatterthan I usually have them. I like them crispier, and you generally have to slice them a bit thinner to get that.’
‘I’ll have to try some of yours when we get back home.’
I shrug. ‘Sure.’
It occurs to me that, aside from our staged photo outside the airport, this is the most couple-like we’ve been since the trip began. I wonder if we’re doing a good job.
‘Do you want some of mine?’ He doesn’t wait for me to answer before he cuts off a piece of lamb and spears it with the tip of his fork. He waves the fork around a little and grins. ‘Try it.’
I hesitate, then remember how casually the others are all eating off each other’s plates. I lean over and bite the piece of lamb clean off his fork. The lamb, cooked to perfection, melts in my mouth and I can’t help but close my eyes and hum in appreciation as I chew. ‘That’s amazing.’
When I look over at Cash again, his eyes are wide and focused on me. His tongue darts out to run over his lips. ‘Glad to hear it.’ His voice sounds gruff, choked even, and he quickly turns away from me and pokes at his own plate.
‘So, Ethan,’ Lacey says suddenly. ‘What do you do?’
I stiffen in my seat.
The quiet hum of conversation around the table stops in an instant. Lacey’s cheeks start to redden as she realises what she’s said.
‘Sorry, sorry, sorry! My bad,’ Lacey grimaces, and to hercredit, she does actually look apologetic. ‘Sorry, it just slipped out. I’m so used to seeing Bailey and Ethan on my feed.’ She turns to me, her expression shifting from apologetic to inquisitive. ‘Girl, what happened?’
Everyone is staring at me. I knew that this would come up eventually, but I can’t believe she’s asking in front of everyone. My breathing gets heavier, and my heartbeat quickens.
‘I don’t think Bailey wants to talk about that.’ Cash’s voice is polite enough, but there’s a coldness to it that leaves no room for argument.
‘Shit,’ says Lacey. ‘Of course. Bailey, I’m—’
I don’t wait to hear her apology. I push my chair back, mumble something about needing the bathroom, and run.
Ethan WAS a dickhead who cheated on me for the entirety of our relationship. Even before I found out about the cheating, he used to treat me like he was some kind of prize, and I should feel lucky to be with someone like him. I know that I shouldn’t be wasting tears over someone like him. And yet here I am, dabbing away tears inJamaica, of all places. I’m angry at Lacey for embarrassing me in front of everyone and furious at myself for being so weak.
‘Bailey?’
The door to the bathroom opens to reveal Bea, Meeraand Sara. They stand there for a second or two, taking in my red eyes and tear-stained cheeks, before all three of them spring into action.
‘Oh, God,Bailey,’ Sara whimpers, hurrying into the bathroom. Before I can say anything, she’s pulled me into a hug like we’re lifelong friends and didn’t just meet a few hours ago. ‘Are you okay?’
