Page 15 of One Week in Paradise
‘You like berry flavours.’
It’s not a question. More of an observation. A very astute observation.
‘I do,’ I say as I sip my drink. ‘I’m surprised you noticed.’
Cash shrugs. ‘I notice a lot of things.’
‘Like what else?’
He opens his mouth like he’s about to answer, then closes it and smirks. ‘You’ll have to find out.’
‘That sounds like a challenge.’
Cash leans forward, entering my personal space. I freeze as his hair brushes against my cheek. He picks up his glass and pulls back, seemingly unaware of just how close we just were.
‘Maybe it is,’ he says as he sips his drink. ‘This isn’t too bad.’
‘I’d never steer you wrong, Cash.’
‘Hm, that remains to be seen. We’ve still got a week to go. Plenty of chances to steer me wrong.’
I clutch my chest and huff out an overly dramatic gasp. ‘I’dnever! Don’t you trust me?’
‘Of course I do.’ And he sounds completely earnest.
‘Well then, I’m going to need you to trust that I won’t steer you wrong. This is about to be the best week of your life.’
He smiles that beautiful sunshine smile from the café, and I feel my heart stutter for a second.
‘I’m gonna hold you to that.’
Cash and I sit near the back of the plane, far away from the others. Although we’re closer to the toilet than I would have liked, not having to keep up the ‘boyfriend-girlfriend’ act for another ten hours is a blessing. I’m not sure how well it’s going.
Penelope, Lacey and Danny all seem convinced, and I don’t know Meera and Sara well enough to get a gauge on them. But Bea… Bea could be a problem. She’s not said anything, but I’ve caught her staring at Cash and me curiously, and I know she’s definitely got questions. Thankfully she’s kind enough not to ask anything in front of the group, but I know that she’s waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Cash is definitely taking advantage of the distance between us and the others. The second we step away from the group, any pretence of liking me is gone. He doesn’t even wait for me before he storms ahead to find our seats. It’s getting a bit tiring dealing with this yo-yo personality of his.
By the time I reach our row, he’s already slumped in the window seat, leaning against the window, eyes firmly squeezed shut.
The friendly and easy-going Cash I’d enjoyed a drink with in the lounge is gone. Asshole Cash is back. I don’t know why it irks me, but it does. Just what is it about me that he dislikes so much?
I stow my carry-on in the overhead compartment and then drop down into the aisle seat. Cash doesn’t stir, even as I jostle him as I get comfortable.
This is going to be a long week.
I whip out my phone as the flight attendants begin their cabin checks.
INSTAGRAM
34 notifications
I swallow as I tap on the icon and bring up the app. About thirty people have liked my last story post, and four of them have responded. Amber is right at the top of my DMs.
@amberrrr_ HAVE FUN!! TAKE LOTS OF PICS. POST THEM.
The other three responses are from people I don’t know.
@leigh.dove34OOOH!! where is your jumper from? so cute!
