Page 10 of A Summer of New Beginnings
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Zara was relieved that Marco was there when she arrived home. It was nice not coming back to an empty flat. He was in his room surrounded by more boxes and she did wonder where the heck he was going to put everything. He had so much baggage and that was only taking into consideration the physical kind.
Once the last box was unpacked and the bookshelves in his room were piled high with enoughpaperbacks to fill a shop, Marco flopped down on the couch beside her. He’d already thanked her with a couple of bottles of Prosecco that had been chilled and she’d taken the liberty of opening one.
She handed him a glass and tucked her legs around her on the seat. ‘Cheers, roomy!’ she announced, clinking her glass into his.
‘Honestly, Zee, you have no idea how grateful I am for this. It’s goingto be so much fun.’
She nudged him. ‘So long as you don’t keep me awake with your snoring, we’ll be fine.’
‘Cheeky. I think you’ll find it’s you that sounds like a pig in your sleep.’ She feigned horror but then they both laughed. Marco glanced over at the pile of new purchases in the corner of the living room. ‘So, I see you’ve got your stuff for the camping trip, then. I bet that cost a prettybloody penny.’
Zara nodded as she swallowed the fizzy liquid. ‘It sure did. But the way I look at it is,Noahwants me to go,Idon’t have the gear sohegets to pay. After all, the lot will be going online to be sold when I get back. I can guarantee this trip will put me off camping for life.’
‘You never know. You might find a new passion for the outdoors. Josh will be whisking you off to themiddle of nowhere for romantic sojournsà la tentbefore you know it.’
Zara grinned and tugged at a thread on the hem of her yoga pants. ‘Camping and romance are two diametrically opposed words, Marco. You of all people should know that. And even Josh can’t change my opinion on the matter. I’m not cut out for all that sleeping under the stars business. It’s just not me.’
Marco gave one of hiswell-known eye rolls. ‘Why not? People change, honey. And this is the twenty-first century. Women can do whatever they want, you know.’
‘I know that. I just don’t see me ever getting to the stage where I look forward to something like camping.’
‘Well, I think you need to get tougher, missy. Josh would clearly love to take you on a trip that doesn’t involve a bed and breakfast.’
She slappedhis leg lightly. ‘Since when have you been in Josh’s corner?’
‘I’m in no one’s corner but yours, Zara Bear. But really… I mean, what do you two have in common apart from the mutual desire to rip each other’s clothes off?’
She scowled at his harsh words although she knew there was a little truth to them too. ‘Haven’t you ever heard of opposites attracting?’
‘Obviously. I just… I don’t want youto get hurt that’s all.’
She nudged him. ‘Good grief, is this the shape of things to come with ourgirliechats? ’Cause if it is I think I’m going to kick you out.’
‘Consider the subject closed.’ He mimicked locking his mouth and throwing away an invisible key.
*
After feeling quite excited about a night in with Josh she had felt a little disappointed when he had texted to suggest a nightout instead. He’d seemed a little strange the night before when she’d texted him. He wasn’t usually one for single-word responses but Saturday night had consisted of just that.
Sunday went by in a blur and all too soon Zara stood in front of her full-length mirror scrutinising her appearance as Marco sat on her bed observing.
‘You look sexy AF, chica, so stop frowning, will you?’
She huffed.‘I get the feeling something isn’t right, though, Marco. I don’t know… He was great at the shop but then last night things just… changed. Maybe he’s going off me?’ She smoothed down the slate-grey, satin halter-neck top that she had slipped on with her black skinny jeans and high-heeled peep-toes. ‘We’re going to that new bar on Peckham High Street but I want to look sexy. Do I look like I’m tryingtoo hard?’
Marco snorted and collapsed back onto the pillows. ‘Oh, my God, just go and have fun, will you? He can barely keep his hands off you, so I think you’re overreacting. You’re gorgeous and a lovely person. He’s bloody lucky to have you. He may not be my favourite of your boyfriends but he is nice to look at. Although so was Harry…’
Zara threw him a disgusted look. ‘Hey, I know Harrywas your favourite. You don’t have to remind me. And it wasn’t my fault things didn’t work out with him. He just wasn’t my type in the end.’
Marco sat up and laughed with incredulity. ‘Yeah, because handsome and rich are terrible qualities in a man. In fact,Ihope to avoid them.’
‘Ahem, you forgot dull as ditch water. He could send me to sleep with his monotone voice, Marco. I want someoneto make me laugh, not put me in a coma. And Josh has all the best qualities.’
‘Urgh, some people are so damned picky. I still can’t believe you didn’t even sleep with the man. Did you actuallylookat his body? I mean, come on, Zee, you could’ve bounced pennies off that bum.’
Zara laughed out loud. ‘And that’s a quality we all should look for, is it?’
