“I’d love that.”
“And what do you think about the retreat idea?” Ghita asked.
“I think it’s amazing. I’d love to help promote it, if you want that,” Sofia replied genuinely. “And even help build it, if that’s something you’re planning seriously.”
Her eyes flicked to Ilias.
“We’re still figuring it out,” he said. “But it’s a very... palpable option.”
Ghita squealed on screen. “Please, Sofia, blow him, seduce him, do whatever it takes to convince him to turn Azul into a retreat center.”
Ilias closed his eyes, barely holding back a laugh. When he opened them, Alejandra and Amira were full-on wheezing, andSofia’s face was flaming red as she babbled something like, “Yeah, I’ll do my best.”
“Oh, Ghita,” Ilias added, holding back a laugh, “remember, Sofia’s kind of a puritan. You need to dial it back.”
“I’m not a puritan,” Sofia blurted, mortified.
“Sorry, Sofi. But seriously, convince him.”
“I’m sure she will,” Ilias said smoothly, since Sofia’s brain had clearly short-circuited.
They said their goodbyes, and as the call ended, Alejandra and Amira were still doubled over with laughter. Sofia dropped into a chair, mortified, shooting Ilias an apologetic look.
He walked over, voice low as he leaned in.
“You could convince me to do anything, habiba. All it takes is looking at me with those eyes. They’re lethal.”
She bit her lip and blushed so deep he thought her freckles might combust. Then she stood up quickly.
“I’m going to take a shower,” she announced, fleeing.
As she disappeared down the hall, Alejandra turned to him, grinning like the cat that ate the canary.
“She’s going to crumble soon, you know that?”
“I fucking hope so.”
27
SOFIA
Man I Need – Olivia Dean
Sat in the makeup chair,Sofia was as fidgety as ever.
She had never done anything like this before, pretending to kiss, cuddle, and smooch with her fake boyfriend in a barely-there swimsuit on a surfboard in the middle of the ocean, or posed all over him on the beach like they were a real couple living out a sun-drenched love story.
Panic was rising in her chest, thick and hot, because her feelings for Ilias had become painfully, stupidly real.
She'd come to accept that she liked being around him. No, scratch that, sheneededhim around. His warmth. His optimism. His sharp insights when he dropped them like they were bombs. The parts of him still hidden behind his easy grin and that teasing tone? God, those intrigued her more than she'd ever admit out loud.
Not even Thomas had ever made her feel like that.
Do not compare.
“I love your videos,” said the Aussie makeup artist with a bright smile. Blue pixie cut, piercings, black winged eyeliner. Her name was Jenny, and she was gorgeous in a way Sofia couldn’t even resent.
“Do you?” Sofia replied, trying her best to sound cool and not like a woman five minutes from a meltdown.
