Page 42 of The Heartbreak Hotel

Clouds rolled over the sky, chasing the last of the storm away, but the humidity hung thick in the air.

Riley led them up the side of the cabin to join another gravel track leading through the trees and dipping back down into the valley on the other side. The grass grew long in places, overgrown trees hiding the mountains from view.

Ella smelled the grove first. The sweet, citrus scent swirled around her, and then the path opened up into an orange grove with dozens of trees bearing fruit.

She spun to face Riley. “You really come here on your days off?”

“If I’ve run out of oranges. And we finished my last few today.” She reached up to pluck one from the tree and threw it towards Ella.

It slipped from her fingers and rolled across the ground. She picked it back up, laughing, and squeezed it.

“Smell it.”

“What?”

Riley grinned. “Just do it.”

Ella brought the fruit to her nose and breathed in the sweet, aromatic fragrance. “That’s the most…orange-smelling orange ever.”

“They’re the best-tasting ones too. Try it.”

Ella peeled the skin, then hesitated before taking a bite. “Isn’t this stealing?”

Riley brushed her hands through the leaves, giving each fruit a squeeze before tugging another from the stem. “They belong to the island. There are actually afternoon orange-picking classes in the activities…which you’d know about if you read the damn booklets we gave you.”

Before Ella could comment, Riley cast a cheeky smile in her direction and joined her side. She peeled her orange, cheersed them together, and they leaned in to take a bite.

Ella’s teeth sunk into the juicy flesh, sweetness lighting up her tastebuds and running down her chin. She wiped at it with her fingers, nodding. “God, that’s good.”

Riley chuckled, her blue eyes flitting over Ella’s face. Then she pulled her deeper into the confinement of the trees, gripped her waist and planted a citrus kiss on her lips.

Oranges might just be Ella’s new favourite fruit.

They collected more produce from the trees, stored them in Riley’s rucksack and then sat back on the grass overlooking the grove.

Puffy white clouds drifted overhead, stretching across the sky. Ella extended her toes, letting the grass tickle her feet.

Riley dug out two small square canvases from her bag, quickly followed by a portable paint tray, and a packet of brushes.

“You paint here?” Ella asked.

“There are so many beautiful places to paint on the island. Here seems as good a spot as any.”

Ella had to agree. Surrounded by trees, the warm sun overhead, and the heavenly scent of oranges, it made for a pretty perfect setting.

Especially when paired with the gorgeous blonde sitting beside her.

Riley handed her a canvas.

Ella frowned, poking it away with her finger. Devin had always been the creative sibling. “Can’t I just watch you paint? I’m kinda awful at this stuff.”

She shook her head. “You wanted a day in the life. No backsies. Besides, I could never concentrate with you ogling me.”

Ella snorted. Who knew it would take just three little near-death experiences to bring Riley out of her shell—and yes, Ella was counting the tumble down the cliff on her first day. It had hurt. But she could totally get on board with this confident, cheeky Riley, even if she was the butt of the joke.

“Fine,” she said. “But you’re going to have to teach me.”

Riley tucked one leg under the other. “First. Get comfy.”