“Are you running through a list of celebrities in your head now, wondering if I’ve screwed them?”
Both guys are staring at me, and I’m a shit liar. Really shit.
“Damnit, Josh. You’ve got me nailed. I’m going to write a list out later, and quiz you one by one, see if you have any tells I can spot.”
“I’m a poker face expert,” Josh says. “But you’re not.”
“No?”
“No. You’re looking at Heath. It’s him you were thinking about, not me.”
He’s right. I flash my attention back to Josh in a heartbeat, because I didn’t know.
I thought I was developing the ability to read people, but Josh is way up above me, on pretty much everything. I don’t want to get into my thoughts on psychology and relationships or morning after syndrome, or any of it, because I’m good when it comes to client confidentiality, but not when it comes to my own.
I get up from the lounger and take off my sunglasses.
“Actually, if you must know, I was thinking about how great Heath’s pool looks.” I blow him a kiss. “Time for a dip.”
“Copout,” Josh says, but I’m already dashing across the patio, ready to divebomb.
What a beautiful splash, and what a beautiful pool. I do a few lengths, breaststroke, enjoying the ambience, but I can’t get the questions from my mind.
Are we the only people Heath has sex with? Really?
Why do I even hope so?
We’ve spent many evenings with Heath in London, becoming so comfortable in his mini gothic manor, but here in France it already feels different. More at home than his home, if that is even possible.
And this is just the start.
Seven nights in bed together, seven days at his side. Seven days in his life. Around him. Living with him.Lovinghim.
I’m going to have to be pretty fucking careful, and I know it. Seeing how happy Josh is in his presence only makes the threat more real.
Morning after syndromemight take on a whole new level of serious, and it might be contagious. Taking out Josh as well as me.
I’m staring out over the edge of the infinity pool at the crashing waves on the beach when someone swims up behind me. I have no idea which one of the two guys it is until they appear at my side. Heath. His long, wet hair splaying in the water.
“Josh has gone to grab more beers.”
“Cool.”
“You’re a good swimmer. I enjoyed watching.”
“Bah, sure. I was a crappy swimmer at school, and Dad says I do a poodle paddle.”
“Poodle paddle or not, it was stunning.” Heath’seyesare the things that are stunning. Icy blue. The way he looks at me as he talks. “Are you finding this strange, Ella, being here? Are you comfortable?”
I raise my eyebrows.
“Comfortable?! I’m ecstatic, honestly. It’s out of this world.”
“Out of the regular world, for sure, which is why I’m checking in on you.” He gazes out at the sea. “It must be different, such a long proposal, with so much history between me and Josh. If that makes you feel strange, or it crosses any lines, please say so. I’ll understand if you want to leave.”
I let out a gentle sigh as I admire the horizon.
“Quite the opposite, actually.” I lean against him. “You should be more worried about us wanting to stay than wanting to leave. You might need to turf us out before we take up residence.”
