Page 45 of One Week in Paradise
‘Nothing,’ he says quickly. Too quickly. ‘Just more reminders about wearing sun cream.’
Hm. He’s lying, clearly. But I decide, given how nice he’s been to me this evening, to let it go. Instead I ask the next pressing question I have. ‘What photos have you been sending her?’
He hesitates and then opens up his camera roll. It’s filled with lots of beautiful landscape shots of our surroundings or overhead shots of the delicious meals we’ve been eating. It’s also filled with photos ofme.
Me, laughing at something.
Me, posing with Bea and Sara.
Me, sipping a cocktail.
Me, taking a photo of myself.
Me, red-faced and out of breath on our hike.
Me, sitting by the edge of the pool, my legs submerged in the clear water.
And us.
There’s the photo we took when we landed, just outside the airport, our cheeks pressed together as we smile up at the camera. But there are more. His camera roll is filled with photos of us I hadn’t even realised had been taken.
‘Penelope, Meera and Bea have been sending me any photos they’ve taken of us,’ Cash explains quickly, apparently sensing my confusion.
There’s us on our first night at the resort, sitting at the cabana bar with everyone. I’m draped over Cash’s waist, his hand on my thigh. Heat scorches through me as Iremember where that evening led. I quickly swipe to the next photo.
It’s the one Lacey took of us on our hike of Cash leaning into me like we’re about to kiss. The next bunch are all from our dance class, and I can’t help but smile as I scroll through them. He’s holding me close in every single one, and I’m looking up at him like the world will fall apart if I dare to look away.
I hadn’t even realised the others were taking photos of us the entire time.
‘You’ll have to send me all of these,’ I tell him as I finish scrolling through them all. ‘There are some real gems in here. We look so happy in all of them.’
‘I am happy,’ he says with a shrug.
And, you know what? I am too.
Chapter Fourteen
Cash is wearing an oversized, cheesy Hawaiian-style shirt, criminally short dark blue shorts, and a pair of oversized cheap, pink sunglasses. I should not be attracted to him right now, but I am.
Irrevocably so.
Today is jet-ski day. I eye the sea warily as our little group traipses down the beach to the landing area. I know my fears are irrational and unfounded, but I can’t help the trepidation I feel as I watch the waves crash into the shore.
‘You’ll have a life jacket,’ Cash says, effortlessly reading my thoughts.
‘I know. I’m still nervous, though.’
‘I’ll be there with you,’ he says with a shrug. ‘Remember, I’m on shark watch this week. You’ll be safe with me.’
‘Thanks.’
We head down to the furthest end of the beach wherethere’s a jetty with several jet-skis lined up. Penelope waves us over.
‘Afternoon, everyone! We’ve got an exciting few hours planned for you all. This is David.’ She gestures to the tall man standing beside her. ‘He’s going to get you all sorted and strapped into your life jackets. Who wants to go first?’
Marcus storms forward, eager to get started.
Bea rolls her eyes. ‘He’s been looking forward to this since we got the invite.’
