Page 15 of The Heartbreak Hotel

Her mother latched onto the delay, her voice bearing an accusatory tone. “Remember this holiday is for you, darling. Not for romance—”

“Mum. Come on. I’ve been single for ages.”

“All the more reason for you to try and climb the first woman you see.”

Ella was thankful her camera was off so her mother wouldn’t see her scowl. She spoke about her like she’d the sexual aggression of a puma and not as though she’d spent the last year pining over her long-legged ex-girlfriend.

“I’m not going to…climb…the first woman I see.” She huffed, inhaling the deep, leathery scent of the bark and branches. At least her mum couldn’t accuse her of not being in touch with nature too.

“Winnie warned me about this.”

“My god.” Ella rolled her eyes so hard, she thrust her head back into the tree trunk with a thump. “Can you please stop having this weird relationship with my friend?”

“Nonsense. You could always join us. You still haven’t replied to our murder mystery dinner party.” A clatter in the background made her mother swivel her head. Ella’s eye caught on her expensive necklace and a suspicious-looking purple mark, before she focused back on her. Jesus. Is that a hickey? Even her parents had a better sex life than she did. That was soul-crushingly depressing. “And I do miss you, you know,” her mother continued. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you missed the last two family barbecues.”

Ella sighed. “Sorry… I’ve just been working a lot.”

Guilt sunk like a stone into her stomach, along with an itchy feeling creeping up her neck that she couldn’t escape. Had she been inadvertently shooting warning flares? Were her whole family in on the creepy tag-team of mother and best friend enrolling her in the fix-your-shitty-life course? The Maeve complications aside, Ella used to love her job. She brought her knees to her chest, feeling her mother’s words weave around her. What could everyone see that she couldn’t?

“I worry about you, darling. I just want the best for you.” Her mum peered into the camera, almost like she could sense Ella’s thoughts derailing. Then she perked up, her back straightening into perfect posture. “Did you hear about Clarice?”

Flawless timing for the mention of her brother Devin’s pearly-toothed doctor fiancée. Ella hadn’t spent much time with her—but Clarice hadn’t found her Hannibal Lector impression funny, and that told her all she needed to know.

Distant voices and the crunch of footsteps caused Ella to raise her head. The ugly green uniform the staff wore caught her eye. She leaned forward to get a better look at the faces and spotted a woman with long, wavy hair. Shit. It’s Riley.

And Ella was sitting in a tree in her skimpy pajamas like she’d escaped from a zoo.

Her mother continued talking. “Clarice has been offered a promotion. And your brother is in line for one too. We should have a get-together once you’re back and celebrate. What do you say?”

What do I say to my perfect brother and his perfect fiancée, parading their perfect lives down my throat? Yippee do.

Ever since she’d had to sit through her younger brother’s endless violin concerts and endure the mention of his musical marvel or unique genius, she’d always taken a backseat. Nothing she did ever came close. Even if Devin abandoned his career and family to live in the woods and become a professional yo-yo master, she could never imagine her mother sending him to Sandy Springs. They’d probably pay for a front-page write-up in the local paper.

Riley’s voice carried on the wind, getting closer. The woman walking beside her laughed. Who was she?

“Sorry, Mum,” Ella hissed. “I have to go. Yoga starts soon. I’ll speak to you later.”

“Why are you whispering—?”

But Ella ended the call, pivoted her body horizontally, and got a face full of tree bark. God. I hope she doesn’t see me. She’d already made a royal arse of herself in front of Riley. She didn’t want to do that again quite so soon. She should be focusing on Maeve anyway, not other distractions.

‘This holiday is for you. Not for romance.’ Her mother’s voice echoed in her head.

She rolled her eyes again. Ella hated how she knew. She didn’t like being predictable.

“Honestly, I’m doing good. I promise you,” Riley’s voice cut through the leaves. Ella held her breath, angling her body to match the tree branch. “Senhor Arenoso’s already been checking up on me.”

I’m one with the tree.

The bark scratched against her cheek as she inhaled, slow and steady, the air humid against her neck.

“We should hang out soon,” the woman said, her brown ponytail swaying with every step. “It’s been a while since we’ve been on a hike. Let’s do something.” Ella recognised her from the welcome meeting. Jane was another one of the yoga instructors on the course.

“I’m sorry I’ve been distant,” Riley said. Ella caught a whiff of coconut and sea salt as she passed. “I don’t want you to think…”

Her voice faded as she disappeared over the hill and down towards the courtyard. Ella waited a few moments before fully relaxing and pushing up into a sitting position. Her gaze followed them, wondering if she and Jane were just friends.

A twinge of jealousy pinged through her stomach, which was so absurd, she had to laugh. Yes, Riley had been giving off the queer vibes yesterday with those inquisitive eyes, adorable dimples and lovely, big hands, but Ella’s body had no right to behave in such a way. Aside from the fact she painted, liked clouds and swam like a sexy dolphin, Ella hardly knew her.