Page 6 of One Week in Paradise
Cash shifts awkwardly in front of me. He’s desperately trying to avoid catching my gaze again. Why is this happening in front ofhim?
‘We don’t pity you, darling,’ Mum says, finally deciding to throw me a bone. ‘We’re just worried about you. You’re not yourself lately. And you still haven’t told us about what happened between you and sweet Ethan.’
Sweet Ethanagain.
‘Have you thought about the fact that Ethan maybe wasn’t so sweet?’ I snap.
Mum recoils slightly at the venom in my tone, and guilt washes over me.
‘Sorry,’ I mumble. ‘I just need some time.’
‘How much time do you need?’ Dad says sharply. ‘You’ve been here for two weeks, and you’ve barely left the house. We’ve tried to be compassionate, but you need to come back to the real world.’
If this is what compassion is, I don’t want to see Dad’s idea of tough love.
‘What’s happened with the influencer thing?’ Dane asks, looking genuinely confused. I allow a wave of relief to wash over me. He definitely hasn’t seen The Video. ‘I thought you were smashing it?’
‘I was. I mean, I am,’ I say defensively. ‘It’s going great.In fact, just today, a brand reached out and offered to fly me to Jamaica for a week.’
The words fall from my lips before I can even register what I’m saying. I can’t help but feel a little smug when I notice the way Dad’s thick eyebrows shoot up into his hairline.
‘Jamaica?’ Dane whistles. He shoots me an impressed nod. ‘When are you flying out?’
The smugness disappears almost instantly. I clear my throat and say, as casually as I can, ‘I’m not going to go, actually.’
‘Why?’ Dad asks. ‘You’ve got something else to be doing?’
I scowl at him. Why is he being so mean?
‘No, it’s just… well, the trip is only for couples,’ I admit reluctantly. ‘And since Ethan and I have broken up, I can’t really go, can I?’
A very painful silence blankets the table. Aside from The Video going viral, I don’t think I’ve ever been more embarrassed. I move to push myself away from the dining table, but before I can flee upstairs, Dane clears his throat.
‘You could still go,’ he says with a nonchalant shrug.
‘I’m pretty sure they don’t want my single ass there depressing all the happy couples,’ I mutter.
‘So take someone,’ he says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. ‘Does it say in the email that you have to bring Ethan specifically?’
‘No,’ I say slowly. ‘But I don’t have anyone to bring. I’m not exactly on the market right now.’
For a brief moment I consider trawling through Tinder or Hinge to find someone to take with me, but I quickly dismiss the idea. I can’t think of anything worse.
‘Bring a friend,’ he says. His lips curl into a sly grin. ‘Hell, bring Cash.’
I can’t think of anything worse – except maybethat.
Cash’s head whips around so fast I’m surprised his neck doesn’t snap.
‘Dane, I don’t—’ Cash begins, but Dane is on a roll.
‘Yeah, you and Cash should go!’ Dane says excitedly. ‘Listen, you both need a break.’
I glance at Cash. There’s a light pink dusting slowly blooming on his cheeks. He’s still not caught my gaze.
‘And what better place to rest and relax than Jamaica?’ Dane asks. He shoots Cash a devilish smirk.
Dad rolls his eyes. ‘This is ridiculous. She doesn’t need a holiday – she needs a job!’
