Page 43 of Paradise Pride

“I promise I’ll make love to you until you’re too tired to move.” Florence felt Meghan’s grip tightening at her words, and although she wouldn’t mind heading back to her room right now, they were here to have lunch. “Are you hungry? For anything other than sex?” she added with a smirk.

Meghan laughed. “I could eat.” The street ran into a square with equally colourful buildings, most of them housing coffee shops, bars and restaurants. The tables and chairs outside were shaded by red parasols and surrounded by blue planters with pink bougainvillea. She glanced over the cheery terraces and smiled. “How adorable. Want to sit here somewhere?”

“How about the paella restaurant?” Florence suggested. “It’s been here since I was little. It used to be really good.” She greeted the owner and pulled out a chair for Meghan. “Have you been to any of the other villages around here?”

“Yes, I’ve been to a few. When we came here on holiday when I was younger, we used to book excursions, but the villages we visited were whitewashed, with white houses and churches. This is so different.”

“I know, it’s unusual for the area,” Florence said. “Some claim La Villa is colourful because the fishermen painted their boats in unique colours so they could easily recognise each other, then used the rest of the paint for the façade of their houses. That’s the story my father told me anyway.”

“It’s a nice story. Are you looking forward to seeing your father soon?”

“Sure. But it’s not like we spend a lot of time together when I’m in London. We have dinner or lunch together once or twice a month, and I see him over Christmas. My grandparents and my aunt and uncle from his side live in London too, so we spend the holidays with them. That is, if I’m not working.” Florence tried to imagine Meghan’s family, but with such young parents, it was hard to picture them. “What about you?” she asked. “Are your grandparents still around?”

“My grandmother from my father’s side is still alive, and both my grandparents from my mother’s side too. Other than that, we’re a pretty small family.” Meghan smiled. “We’re close, though. I see my parents at least once a week.”

“And Kim? How do you know her?” Florence hesitated. “Sorry, am I bombarding you?” She wanted to know everything there was to know about Meghan apart from the thing they’d agreed not to talk about: their future. Ten days into Meghan’s holiday and they’d become quite skilled at avoiding the subject, but there was one question she kept asking herself: what was the point in getting to know each other if it might not lead to something lasting?

“No, I like talking to you,” Meghan said. “And I have so many questions too. I feel like there’s not enough time to cover them all.”

There it is. Not enough time.It was only more evidence that Meghan was counting down the days until she left and wasn’t thinking any further ahead than that.Don’t think about it. Just enjoy the moment.

“Okay, your turn, then,” Florence said, taking the menu from the waiter.

Meghan waved a hand, declining the menu, and pointed to the paella sign by the door. “My friend says you do the best paella, so I’ll have that, please.” She turned back to Florence. “Want to share?”

“Always.”

“Excellent.” Meghan brushed her foot under the table, her eyes fixed on Florence. “So, my turn… I guess what I would like to know is, what are your favourite childhood memories?”

43

Meghan

“My favourite childhood memory…” Meghan thought about that as they strolled along the beach, back in the direction of Benidorm. It was such a nice day that they’d decided to walk until they got tired and then take a taxi home. “I don’t know. Yours are all so idyllic, I can’t compete with that.” Florence had told her about the boat trips to Vilajoyosa, her first time in London, the first time she went camping with friends as a teenager and a visit to Barcelona with her mother when she was ten.

“It’s not a competition,” Florence said. “Just tell me whatever comes to mind.”

“That would have to be our holidays, then.” Meghan bent down to pick up a pretty shell, brushed it off and put it in her handbag. “The anticipation was half of the fun. Weeks before, I’d get all excited and start packing my most precious clothes, and my mother would always take me shopping for a new swimsuit and teen magazines beforehand.” She stopped to check out a pile of shells, brushing her bare feet through them. “And then, finally, the best two weeks of my year arrived. The flight, being somewhere sunny and warm, and making new friends to play with in the pool brought me just as much joy as seeing my parents so happy.” She laughed. “Looking back, it was probably the alcohol that made them laugh so much, but who cares, right?”

Florence grinned. “That’s sweet. I’d love to see some old pictures of you.”

“I don’t have any on my phone, but I can ask Mum to send some. If you show me yours, I’ll show you mine.” Meghan put an arm around Florence’s waist and pulled her in. Sometimes, when she wasn’t overthinking, it felt so natural to be with her, and right now, she could happily have walked for miles, holding her hand and stopping for a kiss each time they reached a quiet spot. She’d been giddy all day and not for another double date with Kim, Andres and Tiger tonight. It was just something she’d have to put up with because doing that allowed her to be here without worrying too much.

“I’ll see what I can do.” Florence bent down to pick up a tiny piece of something shiny and pink and held it up against the sun.”

“I wonder what it is,” Meghan said. “Is it glass? Such a pretty colour.”

Florence studied it from all angles and gave it to Meghan. “Don’t quote me on it, but I think it’s tourmaline.”

“As in the crystal? How would that end up here?”

“It’s not uncommon to find small pieces of quartz or other precious stone on the beach. The sea carries many treasures. My mother used to look for them during our beach outings and quiz me about them. I pretended to have forgotten over the years but I actually remember quite a lot. Keep it.”

“Thank you.” Meghan opened her wallet and carefully placed it in a side compartment. “Is it worth anything?”

“No. I can get you a bigger piece if you want. My mum has all sorts of crystals in her practice.”

“That’s sweet, but it’s extra special when it’s found.” Meghan searched the sand for more but didn’t find any. “So how does it work? The crystal healing?”

---