Page 51 of One Week in Paradise
‘Ooh, good idea,’ I say.
We finish up our breakfast and then say our farewells, promising to meet up for dinner later that evening. I take Meera’s advice and, on the way out of the resort, wave down Penelope.
‘We’re heading into town. Do you have any recommendations? Places we should check out? Any great restaurants?’
Penelope’s eyes light up. She makes me pull out my phoneand open up the notes app, so I can hurriedly jot down all the shops and restaurants and cultural sites she recommends. You can tell she really loves her job. There’s an earnest passion that comes through as she tells us all about Sean’s Fish Shack (‘Youhaveto stop there and try the snapper!’) or Jeanie’s Juices (‘Head there for thebestsmoothie of your life!’) and tells us which taxi company to go with if we want to head a little further out to visit a nearby market for some handmade souvenirs.
‘Actually, are you sure you guys don’t want me to call you a car now?’ Penelope asks. ‘It’s about a twenty-minute walk into town from here.’
It’s still early enough that the sun isn’t at its peak, and the temperature is mild and pleasant. ‘I think we’ll walk,’ I say. ‘But thank you, Penelope, for all of this. You’ve been so helpful.’
‘It’s my pleasure. Give me a call if you need me.’
We promise that we will and then head off. As soon as we turn away from Penelope, Cash laces our fingers together.
I know such a small action shouldn’t make my heart race, but it does. I wonder if his heart is also pumping at a hundred miles an hour right now. He seems so relaxed, sochill, like this doesn’t bother him at all. As if reaching for my hand and holding me close as we stroll down the dusty road is just second nature to him.
‘What’re you thinking?’
His quiet murmur startles me, and I peek up at him. He’s looking at me with all the intensity of the sun. Like I’m a riddle he can’t quite solve.
Why?
The energy between us is so palpable. I can’t believe I’ve never noticed it before. Why isthisthe first time I’ve allowed myself to get close enough to Cash to feel like this? That horrible voice in the back of my mind returns.
This is just a holiday fling.
Once you’re home, he’ll never look your way again.
And worst of all…
You don’t deserve a love like this.
Ethan didn’t want you.
And soon, Cash won’t either.
‘Nothing,’ I say brightly, hoping Cash can’t see behind my forced smile. We turn a corner, and I can see the town start to crest over the horizon. ‘Ready to explore?’
Cash watches me intently, his grey-green eyes narrowing slightly. It’s obvious that he doesn’t buy it, but he allows me this mercy and doesn’t push the topic. Instead, he just shrugs, the intense expression gone from his face and replaced with an easy grin.
‘Let’s go.’
Cash has this fascinating ability to charm the pants off everyone we meet. He seems to pick up a new friend at every stall, shop and food truck we pass by.
It’s fun watching him talk to the locals, laughing and joking before they inevitably convince him to spend far too much on whatever they’re selling.
I don’t understand why it’s taken me so long to see this side of him. I feel cheated. I’ve missed out onyearsof this Cash in favour of moody silences and annoyed looks.
Whatever happens between us, I refuse to go back to that dynamic.
‘I hope you know you’re stuck with me now,’ I tell him. We’re wandering through the winding town, sipping on frozen fruit smoothies from Jeanie’s Juices. Penelope was right. They’re delicious.
Cash sips from his mango smoothie and quirks a brow. ‘Stuck?’
‘Yes, stuck. We’re friends for life now. It’s a fact. Tell Dane he’s got to share you from now on.’
His brows furrow a little bit in what looks like annoyance, but his expression smooths out so quickly I can’t be sure. ‘?“Stuck” makes it sound like a chore.’
