Page 30 of One Week in Paradise
‘You take a bit of the vine and throw it on a different and fresh plant. If the vine continues to grow, then it means that love is on the horizon for you, but if not… well, maybe it’s time to start looking elsewhere, hm?’ He chuckles to himself and then continues on down the pathway.
As I pass the mangle of vines, I reach out and grab a handful. It comes apart from the rest of the bush with surprising ease. I place it on top of a nearby plant and imagine that it suddenly springs to life, signalling love on the horizon for me.
Cash steps beside me, casting a dark shadow over the bush. ‘You believe that superstition?’
I jump, dropping the vines. I’d momentarily forgotten that he was still there. ‘No. I just wanted to feel.’
Cash nods. His gaze flickers down the pathway. Leroy has turned a corner, and there’s no sight of him now. ‘Listen, Bailey. Can we talk?’
‘There’s nothing to talk about,’ I say. I move to turn away, but Cash reaches out and grabs my hand. ‘Let me go.’
‘Can you just listen?’ Cash asks, his voice pleading.
I wrench my hand out of his grip and stare up at him. ‘What?’
‘I just wanted—’ He groans and runs a hand down his face. When he looks at me again, his eyes are wide and apologetic. ‘I got carried away last night. We both did. I’m sorry.’
Irritation courses through me. Why is he rubbing this in? ‘We’ve already covered this. And you don’t have to besorry. What’s there to be sorry for? I liked it. And I thought you did too.’
‘I did – I –Bailey,’ he groans again and then shakes his head. ‘You’re my best friend’s little sister.’
I roll my eyes. ‘What does that have to do with anything?’
‘There are some lines you just don’t cross.’
‘And fingering me in front of people isn’t crossing that line?’
I think my bluntness disarms him because he drops his gaze. ‘It is. And I’m sorry.’
I shake my head and turn away from him. ‘I don’t understand you, Cash. One minute you hate me. The next, you’re touching me like we’ve been together for years. I don’t know what game you’re playing—’
‘I’m not playing any games.’
‘But it needs tostop. Figure out what you want from me, but don’t mess me around.’
Before he can say anything, I storm down the pathway and hurry to catch up with Leroy and the others.
The waterfall and pool are two of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in my life. Leroy calls it ‘The Hole’, and it’s easy to understand why. The cliff and waterfall open up intoa stunning, turquoise-blue natural pool. There are vines hanging over the pool, and as I approach, Danny is already swinging from them and catapulting into the clear blue water below.
Lacey has shed her shorts and vest top and is wearing a cute pink bikini. I know she’s been gifted it by a fashion company, and photos of her lounging in it will litter her feed as soon as we’re back at the resort. Envy sprouts up inside me. I wish I still had that kind of confidence when it comes to posting.
Lacey waves at me before diving into the pool to meet Danny.
‘Leroy!’ she yells once she resurfaces. ‘Will you take some photos, please?’
Leroy obliges and hurries around the edge of the pool to grab Lacey’s camera. I watch as Danny swims over to her and, in one smooth movement, scoops her up in his arms. She shrieks, but her smile is wide as she wraps her arms around his neck and peppers his face with kisses.
I may not be Lacey’s biggest fan right now, but they do make a cute couple.
Speaking of couples.
Cash appears next to me and nods his head appreciatively. ‘It’s beautiful.’
At least we can agree on that.
‘You getting in?’ he asks.
‘No, I can’t swim,’ I remind him. ‘I’ll just swing my feet over the edge. But you go.’ And then I add, because I’m worried that the others can hear us and might wonder why I sound like an HR professional while talking to my supposed boyfriend, ‘Have fun.’
