Page 12 of One Week in Paradise
‘Well, he’s reared his stupidly handsome head again. I don’t think I’ve had a more indecisive client in my entire career. He hates everything I show him, even though it fits his brief to atee. At this point, I’m starting to think he’s being difficult on purpose.’
‘At least you’re getting paid,’ I say.
‘That’s true,’ she laughs. ‘I’ve been charging him time and a half recently because what the fuck. Sometimes I think he’s genuinely messing with me for fun.’
She rants for a little bit longer, alternating between calling him Asshole Client and Stupidly Handsome Dickhead. Interesting.Veryinteresting. I file this away to bring up later when she’s less heated.
‘Anyway,’ she sighs after ten minutes. ‘How’re you doing? All ready for Jamaica?’
‘Nearly. I’ve finished packing, and I met with Cash earlier today to talk about plans and boundaries.’
‘Oooh,’ Amber wiggles her brows. ‘Boundaries, huh?’
‘So things don’t get weird. He’s Dane’s best friend. I’m not trying to ruin that.’
‘That’s fair,’ says Amber. ‘Have you thought about content? What’s your first post gonna be?’
I have actually spent a lot of time thinking about that. ‘I think I’ll test it out with a few stories first. See what kind of response I get, and if it’s not too bad, I’ll maybe post something to the grid on day two or three.’
‘You gonna post Cash?’
‘Definitely not on the grid, but he’ll make some kind of appearance in my stories for sure.’ A tactical back-of-the-head shot or something similar.
‘I hope Ethan sees it, and it sends him spiralling,’ Ambercackles. But I don’t join her. Amber doesn’t notice. ‘Not to be a jerk, but Cash is a trillion times hotter than Ethan.’
‘Mmm,’ I hum noncommittally. I don’t want to talk about Ethan. Besides, he’s been blocked ever since The Video.
Amber spews some more Ethan hate – which usually I’d be all for – and then remembers she’s got a pizza in the oven.
‘Oh no. It’s burnt.’ She holds the pizza up in front of the camera, showing off a completely blackened circle.
‘That’s an understatement,’ I laugh.
‘I’m gonna go try and find something else to eat. Talk to you later, babe.’ Amber blows me a kiss and then cuts the call.
I pull up Instagram again, this time to check my follower count (229,629 – ouch), but Cash’s page is still up.
I’m not sure what comes over me, but I open up the stag do photo, and after a moment’s hesitation, I double-tap it.
Chapter Five
My heart is in my throat as I wheel my suitcase through Gatwick Airport. I’ve barely slept, and I’m a bundle of nerves. Cash is supposed to be meeting me at the check-in counter, and I regret not deciding to meet him somewhere else.
Aside from double checking he knew where and when to meet, we haven’t spoken since the café. The Cash I met in the café was nicer than the Cash I’ve known since we were children, and it lulled me into a false sense of security. Was there a chance that Cash was finally starting to get over his weird hang-up with me, and we could potentially be friends?
It’s stupid, but I’d allowed myself to hope so.
After the café, I tried to keep up some friendly conversation, even going so far as to send him a cheesy photo of me sitting on top of my overflowing suitcase and a crying emoji. He didn’t even bother to respond.
What if he’s changed his mind and doesn’t show up? I’m about five seconds away from pulling out my phone and sending Dane a furious message for even convincing me to do this stupid plan when I turn a corner, and the long British Airways check-in counter stretches out in front of me.
I spot Cash almost immediately. He’s leaning against the counter, hands stuffed into a comfy-looking pair of olive green sweatpants, and he’s got a bright pink travel pillow wrapped around his neck. The sight of him should fill me with relief, but it doesn’t. A fierce scowl twists his usually handsome features. He looks like he’d rather be anywhere but here.
I pretend like I don’t notice the way he stiffens as I approach. ‘Morning, Cash.’
The only response I get is a sharp nod.
Well,fine. If he doesn’t want to play nice, then I won’t bother either. I resign myself to waiting for Penelope in silence when a blonde blur runs up to me and peppers me with air kisses.
