“Hey!” Her cheery voice rang out behind me, and I tipped my head back and groaned.
“Lily.” Nigel’s smile stretched when he saw her, and I didn’t like the way he held his arms out for a hug. I especially didn’t care for it once I caught sight of Lila’s dress. The soft blue fabric made her skin glow, and her hair popped in contrast. It was strapless and dipped just a little by her cleavage—the same cleavage I’d probably glanced at one too many times when she had been wearing that bikini earlier today.
“Come out with us,” Mark—or possibly Will—called from the entrance to the shared room. I still wasn’t one hundred percent sure who was who. The other one appeared, and the two of them ambled into the shared courtyard.
Lila looked back at me, and I tried to give her my best ‘I’m completely exhausted and also I just don’t want to go’ look.
The corner of her lip twitched, and she winked at me before turning back to the boys.
“Sorry, we were just going to do dinner and then crash. We’ve been out basically all day.”
“Maria said you rented a four-wheeler. When we asked if we should do that the other day, she said not to.” Something like a pout formed on Nigel’s lips.
“Oh, well, they can be dangerous,” Lila offered while I snorted. These guys did not exactly scream responsibility. I could see why Maria wasn’t encouraging them to go flying down the roads on one of those things.
“Ah, no worries. We made other plans for tomorrow. They replaced you with three American girls in our room who are. . .” Nigel looked back at Mark and Will, and they all snickered. I fought the urge to gag. Lila elbowed me in the ribs, a silent reminder to be polite.
“Hey, you should come with tomorrow,” Will—or Mark said.
“Yeah, definitely,” Nigel clasped his hand around Lila’s bare shoulder and I stifled the sudden urge to grab her waist and pull her against me. “We’re all headed to Mykonos for a day trip on the ferry. Going to check out some beach clubs. Should be a good time.”
I’d rather fly the forty hours to Fiji than join them, but I bit my tongue and forced myself to wait for Lila’s response. She might want to see another island, and I wasn’t going to deny her that.
“That does sound fun.” She eyed me, trying to read my expression. I kept my face neutral, but judging from the way she smirked, I’m sure she knew the thoughts running through my mind.
“Why don’t we let you know in the morning. When are you leaving?” she asked instead.
“We’ll probably head out of here around nine.”
“Great. Maybe we’ll join you.”
“Yeah, maybe,” I said under my breath.
The trio of guys finally waved their goodbyes, and I was left alone with Lila. Alone with Lila and that stunning-as-hell dress.
“You’re not seriously considering going with them, are you?”
Lila laughed. “There it is.”
“There what is?”
“I knew you were biting your tongue when they asked us.”
She looked me up and down with her green eyes, making it impossible not to feel guilty. I had told myself I would stop holding us back on this trip. If Lila wanted to do something, damnit, I was going to do it. It was only a few days in the grand scheme of life. I was going to make sure she would not have any regrets because of me.
“I’m sorry; we can go if you want. But is it so insane that I don’t like those guys?”
“Yes. They’re nice.”
“Okay fine.” I threw my hands up. “Maybe dislike is too strong a sentiment, but at the very least I find them annoying. I’m not dying to spend the day stuck on another island with them. Can’t we hang out just the two of us? We can go to Mykonos if you want to, I just don’t want to go with them.”
Lila flushed for a moment, looking taken aback. But as quickly as her flustered appearance came, it was gone, and a devilish smile was in its place.
“Just the two of us?” she mused.
“You know what I mean.”
“That you’re obsessed with me and we’re best friends now? I accept.”
