Page 34 of Win You Over
Oh. Shit.
I have absolutely no problem sharing a room, but we didn’t discuss this part of the plan. Being near Holden,in bedwithHolden, sounds like fucking paradise. I want it more than I should admit given we are not actually in a relationship. But his comfort comes first and if he isn’t good with sharing, we will make other plans.
“Could we take two of the smaller ones?” I ask, looking at Holden and then at Mom.
Mom’s eyebrows furrow. “Sorry, love, we have no spare rooms. Shit, I should have checked you were comfortable sharing. I just presumed...”
Mom looks out to the sea and I can tell by the way she’s chewing her lip that she’s trying to move things around to make separate rooms possible.
“If I move Rupert’s sister and her family to our room, they could probably fit the triplets…”
Holden’s hand on my arm grabs my attention, the warmth a welcome brand on my skin. My eyes meet his dark, rich ambers as he squeezes my arm and mouths,it’s okay,then tips his chin towards my mom.
Oh. Okay. Cool. I can be very chill about this. So we’ll be sharing a bed. Cool. That’s cool.
“Mom,” I say, gesturing with a hand between Holden and I. “We’re fine sharing.”
“You’re sure?” she asks the two of us. He smiles so big it reaches his eyes, causing little lines to journey out from the corners. I can’t look away from his face, even when I answer Mom.
“We’re sure.” I kiss his cheek, laying this relationship business on thickly.
Mom clears her throat, then gives a little laugh. “Okay lovebirds. Now hurry, get your swimsuits on, and join us outside. Dad’s going to order in. You both okay with seafood?”
Lovebirds? Guess she’s buying this, after all. My stomach gives a twinge of discomfort and sweat beads on the back of my neckdespite the cool of the house. I fucking hate lying to her. But we’re this far. There’s no turning back now.
Holden and I make our way to the bedroom at the furthest part of the house. It’s one with its own bathroom and a sea view. The bed is covered in high thread count white cotton covers, with sky blue throw cushions. There’s a bedside table – also white – on either side of the bed and a desk with a chair pushed up against one wall. Double glass doors open onto a covered balcony on which you can sit at the glass-topped table and look onto the cove below. When I open the doors, the room is filled with the briny scent of the sea, mixed with the sweet florals of the islands’ wildflowers. In the distance, I can make out a super yacht and other smaller boats bobbing on the still, clear sea.
“Left or right?” I ask, pointing to the bed.
Holden jumps onto the right-hand side, splaying his arms behind his head and sighing contentedly.
“I should lose bets more often,” he jokes.
“Not so bad, is it? Two weeks of this? Pure luxury. Added bonus?”
He looks at me, one eyebrow raised. I lie on the bed next to him, mirroring his position, my arms behind my head like a pillow.
“The bonus is, you get to spend two weeks in my award-winning company.”
He knocks his elbow into my arm, jabbing me playfully, but then not moving away. Our arms remain touching as we both lie on the bed. My eyes are heavy, the jetlag settling in my bones the longer I remain still.
“Come on,” I say, nudging his arm, fighting the exhaustion as I roll to stand. “It’s best we don’t fall asleep now. Easier to adjust to the time zone change if we push through.” Holden groans, but follows me to our bags, where I pull out a pair of yellow swimshorts. He grabs his own clothes and gestures to the ensuite bathroom.
“I’ll meet you down at the pool when you’re ready. Hopefully, lunch will be here soon. I’m so fucking hungry.”
Holden closes the door behind him and I strip down and change, then pad along the cool ochre coloured tiles so common here in Sardinia, down the stairs and out onto the decking. Mom and Dad are both outside relaxing, cocktails dripping with condensation on the glass table in front of them.
“I’m sorry about the bedroom mix up,” Mom says. I take the seat next to her, eyeing the romance novel she has in one hand.
“It’s fine. Really. When does everyone else arrive?”
“Your sister and Rupert will be here tomorrow morning, and his sister and her family, as well as the three bridesmaids, arrive later tomorrow evening.”
“And then the fun really begins,” I remark.
“You have a week before anything wedding related. What have you got planned?” Dad asks.
“Hiking, a lot of eating and swimming, and a boat trip to La Maddalena. And whatever else Holden wants to do.”
