Page 14 of One Week in Paradise
I want to dip into a booth and sit by myself, away from Cash and the others. But the rest of the group all stick together, so I begrudgingly join them at their table. Cash follows me without saying a word.
‘Does everyone know each other?’ Lacey asks once we’ve all settled into our comfy armchairs. I’m not sure why she’s become the de facto leader of the group – maybe because she’s got the most followers? – but it doesn’t bother me. I’m happy to lean back in my seat and let her take the lead.
‘I recognise everyone,’ says Meera brightly. ‘Even if we’ve not met in person before. Bea, I loved your Skims try-on haul last month. You made me run out and buy that dress in three different colours!’
‘Thanks, girl,’ Bea says with a bright smile. ‘This is my boyfriend, Marcus, by the way.’
Marcus gives us all a wave.
‘I didn’t know you had a boyfriend,’ says Lacey. ‘You’ve kept that quiet.’
Bea laughs. ‘I know, I know. I like to keep some things off the feed, you know? And Marcus isn’t really the social media type.’
‘Watch out, lad,’ says Danny. ‘I wasn’t the social media type either, and now I’m in every video.’
‘Bailey, it’s so good to see you here,’ says Sara. She’s smiling sweetly, but I can’t help but hear the unsaid ‘What the hell areyoudoing here?’ instead.
My strained smile flickers. ‘You too,’ I say, hoping my voice doesn’t sound too clipped. ‘This should be a fun week.’
‘Ooh, shall we get a group pic?’ Lacey asks. She doesn’t wait for a response before she whips out her phone andsticks out her arm. ‘Come on, come on. Get around here. I think we should all fit.’
I glance at Cash and offer him a small shrug.Sorry, Cash. Welcome to the influencer life.
We all shuffle behind Lacey, who remains in her seat, and smile up at her camera. Cash is standing so close behind me that my back brushes up against his chest. I shiver at the contact and fight the urge to turn around and see if Cash is bothered by it at all.
‘One, two, three!’ Lacey snaps the photo and then quickly inspects it. ‘Ew. No.’ We take another six before we have one that she approves of. ‘There. Posted!’
My phone vibrates with a notification from Instagram.
@LaceyLouXo has mentioned you in their story
I tap it and immediately show Cash. Lacey’s put a soft filter over the photo that makes all of our skin look vaguely golden. Cash and I are squashed in the corner, and Ithinkwe look like a real couple. I’m leaning into him, my back pressing up against his chest, and from the angle she’s taken the photo, it looks like he’s resting his chin on my head.
‘Not bad,’ Cash says, peeking over my shoulder.
I hum in agreement. ‘I think I might share it. Are you okay with that?’
‘Why wouldn’t I be okay?’ he asks.
‘I’m just checking because your face is in it.’
‘It’s fine. I look pretty good.’
I roll my eyes, mostly because it’s true. He looks amazing. But, then again, when does he not? I take a deep breath and prepare to reshare the photo to my own story. I add a small caption that says, ‘Jamaica bound!’ and then hit share.
It’s my first post since The Video went viral, and every single nerve in my body is on edge as I watch the story upload.
‘You want a drink?’ Cash says suddenly. ‘You look really stressed.’
I snort. ‘Understatement of the year.’
‘Come on,’ he says.
We make our way to the lounge bar. I order a cranberry and vodka, and Cash orders the same.
‘I’m not a big drinker,’ he says. ‘So I’m trusting you.’
‘It’s my default drink,’ I say, hopping up onto a bar stool. Cash doesn’t sit down. Instead, he leans against the bar.
