Page 10 of The Heartbreak Hotel

When Ella shot up, spluttering into Riley’s mouth, she fell backwards, hitting the sand hard. She scrambled up, supporting Ella’s shoulders.

“Ella, thank Jesus. Are you alright?” She rubbed her back as she bent over.

Ella coughed and spluttered, water dribbling down her chin—but she was breathing. Riley’s chest loosened, and she allowed herself to relax a little. Ella’s cheeks were flushed, her red hair slicked against her back, but her brown eyes were present.

Riley brushed her shoulder. “I should probably put you in the recovery position.”

“No,” Ella whispered between coughs. “I need to sit up.”

Riley debated doing it anyway, but she supposed Ella was conscious enough to know best for herself. Then again, she’d ended up in this mess in the first place, so maybe not. She took a seat beside her in the sand and worked on calming her own thundering heartbeat, while keeping a keen eye on the woman next to her. She rubbed her amethyst necklace between her fingers, channelling the calming energy into her own body.

Eventually, Ella’s coughing subsided, and she tilted her head back to the sky. “Fuck’s sake.”

Riley shook her head and let out a chuckle of disbelief. Ella nearly drowned, and that was her first response? She quickly swallowed her laughter; what Ella had done was really dangerous. “How are you feeling?” she asked.

Ella glanced at her, eyes red and squinting. “Like I’ve been inside a washing machine and then drunk a gallon of bleach.”

“I’m not surprised. What were you doing out here? The warnings are out. It’s not safe to swim.”

“You don’t say.”

“Ella, I’m serious. You could’ve died.”

Ella turned to her then, her eyes flicking over Riley’s face. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry.” She groaned, hanging her head forward. “This island is trying to kill me.”

Riley couldn’t deny the redhead had a habit of finding herself in peculiar situations. “Do you feel sick? Light-headed?”

“A little.”

“Come on. I’ll take you to medical.”

She flapped her hands. “No. No, please, don’t do that. I’m fine.”

“Ella, you need to be checked by a professional—”

“I’m fine. I’m fine. Look!” She got to her feet and started doing a weird jig back and forth, waving her arms.

What the…? Riley bit back a grin. “Yes, that’s some wonderful dancing, grand, but you might have swallowed a lot of water or have a concussion or something.”

“Hey. This is just how I dance.”

Riley laughed. “You know what I mean. Who knows how long you were under the water for? It’s dangerous.”

“It wasn’t long.” She stopped dancing, her mouth falling into a flat line. “Please, Riley, don’t make me go. I’ve had such a horrendous few days. The last thing I want is to spend the rest of the day cooped up with a stranger poking and prodding me.”

Riley sighed, unable to hold the woman’s soft brown gaze. She knew how much she hated anything to do with hospitals herself. How easily they brought back memories. But she should follow protocol. Though Ella seemed fine now, she might not be later. Even if Leonor from Medical was about as useful as a solar-powered flashlight. “I’m sorry. Come on, it’s not far.”

“I just want to get some fresh air outside, that’s all. I promise I won’t wander off. Please, Riley.”

Riley chewed her lip. “You shouldn’t be on your own in case somethin’ happens.”

“Stay with me, then.”

As Ella locked eyes with her, a flutter spread through Riley’s chest. She couldn’t help it; Ella was pretty—even after being tumbled around the North Atlantic with spit down her bikini top. “What?”

“You’re a first aider, right? I assume so, judging by your impressive life-saving skills. Thank you for that, by the way. Top job.” Ella’s mouth lifted at the edges, and Riley’s focus fell onto her plump lips before bouncing back to her eyes.

She cleared her throat and returned the smile. “You’re welcome.”