Page 33 of One Week in Paradise
@gail23456862lol, she’s at a couples resort but where’s her man????
@burner_420has she stolen another one?
I quickly delete their comments and block both accounts, hoping that not too many people have seen them.They’re just trolls, I remind myself as I scan through the rest of the comments to see if anything else jumps out at me.Just stupid, sad little trolls.
I try to focus on all the positive feedback I’m receiving. My DMs are filled with young women asking me about what products I’m using in my hair or where I got my dressfrom. There’s even a brand or two in there asking for my details to send me products to try.
As I respond to the comments and questions filling up my DMs, my anxiety begins to fade away. Not all of it, but I immediately begin to feel lighter.
I’m back in my element.
This is what I do, and I’m good at it.
Influencers can get a bad rep sometimes, but I truly love what I do. Sometimes it feels like I’ve got a little community of sisters and cousins in my pocket, and I love sharing the things that bring me joy and make my life that little bit easier with them.
Once I’ve finished responding to everything, I put my phone down and lean back into my lounger. The sun is beating down on me, and in the distance, I can hear the waves crashing against the shore at the nearby beach.
I close my eyes and smile.
For the first time in months, I feel at peace.
That feeling of peace doesn’t last long.
‘Bailey? Are you sure you want to do this?’
I grit my teeth and then turn to face Cash. He’s standing in front of me, looking stupidly attractive in a patterned silk button-down with averylow neckline. He holds his arms out and gives me a weak smile.
‘It’s not too late to turn back.’
But it is.
I sigh and take a step forwards, letting him loop one arm around my waist. His hand rests on my lower back, and I suddenly regret my decision to wear an open-back dress this evening. He holds out his other arm and wiggles his fingers at me.
Up until ten minutes ago, I’d forgotten that I’d signed us up for a couples dance class this evening. It’s not until Penelope comes knocking on our suite door shortly after dinner to come and collect us that I remember what I’ve done.
‘Come on,’ Cash says, a wry smile tugging at his lips. ‘I won’t bite.’
But that’s the problem, isn’t it? I think Iwanthim to.
And I think that’s what’s bothering me the most.
I don’t want to be attracted to Cash. I don’t want to look into his eyes and have my breathing stutter or my heartbeat quicken when I feel his hand rub up against my bare skin.
I want things to go back to normal. Back when Cash hated and ignored me, and I was immune to his ridiculous good looks.
But after everything that’s happened between us so far on this trip, I don’t think that’s possible. Cash knows that I’m attracted to him, and he’s lording it over me.
I scowl as he reaches for my hand and entwines ourfingers together. I hate that I’ve become just like every other girl in his life, throwing myself at him and feeding into his ego.
‘Excellent form, you two!’ our dance instructor, Claudia, tells us as she hurries around the veranda to help some of the other couples there. I spot Meera and Sara giggling together in a corner, and I throw them a wave.
Cash grins. ‘I’m not used to you being this tall.’
That gets a snort out of me. I’m wearing a pair of heels, but I’m still several inches shorter than him. If I really wanted to, I could probably tuck my head under his chin.
‘Now,feel the rhythm,’ Claudia yells. She shuffles to the front of the veranda and begins stepping from side to side to the beat of the slow reggae song blasting from the speakers. ‘Like this. Left. Right. Left. Right. Move your hips. Move together as one.’
Cash pulls me in so I’m flush against his chest, and he begins to mimic Claudia’s movements. I’m happy to let him lead. I’m an awful dancer. And anyway, I’m secretly enjoying the feel of his muscles tensing and flexing underneath me as he shimmies from side to side.
