Page 56 of The Heartbreak Hotel

“Yep. You made it.”

They descended into the houses. Below the clouds, patterned cobblestones led them between the buildings. Women busied themselves in the gardens, tending to the flowers and bushes and offering greetings as they passed. Farmers tipped their hats as they pulled along carts of vegetables and fruits, young children waving from the seats.

Fresh pastries caught Ella’s attention through a window, and Riley steered her towards a bakery with two huge baskets full of pink and purple flowers hanging outside the doorway.

“Boa tarde, ladies,” a young woman called from behind the wooden counter, working at pace but keeping her attention on the two of them, her hands moving in a blur. A cute yellow butterfly clip held her dark hair from her face.

Riley nudged Ella as she took in the range of cakes and pastries. “What would you like?”

How could she possibly choose? “You pick.”

Riley engaged with the woman in Portuguese, and Ella’s libido flared. She loved hearing her speak the language and contemplated tearing her clothes off right there and then, knocking over the bread rolls, and taking her on the counter. Riley caught her eye with a grin, reading her mind, and brushed her fingers against hers when the baker’s back was turned. Heat shot through with the touch, and Ella flushed like a schoolgirl. Riley bought two Madeira cakes, and they headed back out onto the cobbles.

Music drifted through an open window as they tucked into the spicy honey and cinnamon cakes. They were a little dry, but Ella finished hers with pleasure as they took in the view of the sea beyond the buildings. Riley had mentioned the possibility of going for a swim, and she wondered if the sea was any different on this side of the island.

They explored the rest of the shops—Ella noticed three rainbow stickers in the windows, which pleased her—and shared a laugh at the “No Goats” sign hanging outside the pottery studio. Riley conversed with the locals while Ella managed “boa tarde” and “obrigada”, and Riley promised to teach her some more Portuguese.

They browsed art in one of the shops, and Riley pointed out some of her favourite paintings, telling Ella about the different locations on the island.

“Which painting do you like?” she asked.

Ella studied the collection—mountain and sea views, hydrangeas, lakes and beaches—before turning back to Riley. “I prefer yours,” she answered honestly. “You could easily sell paintings in here, too.”

Riley smiled but shook her head before continuing to wander around the shop.

Ella caught herself watching her in this environment, a strong sense of longing overcoming her. Like the day they’d spent together on Sunday, getting to experience time with Riley in this way made it seem like this was their life. Like there wasn’t an expiration date or a timer ticking away in the back of her head.

Riley’s blue eyes flicked to hers, and Ella’s heart fluttered. Even in a casual T-shirt and the cargo shorts she favoured so much, there was something about Riley that drew her in. A warmth and an electricity from deep within her that she wanted to chase.

Riley’s mouth curved, showing her dimples, and then she made her way towards her, something hidden behind her back. As she drew closer, her grin only got wider, and then she dropped something onto Ella’s head.

The floppy material fell over her eyes, and she laughed as Riley adjusted it.

“What is this?” Ella pulled at the edges of the hat, and Riley guided her towards a mirror.

“It’s like the one you lost, isn’t it? On the boat ride over with Duarte?”

Ella stood, taking in her reflection. The oversized straw hat did bear a likeness to the one she’d lost overboard. But this one had a thin strip of ribbon trim—the same blue as Riley’s eyes.

She swivelled, catching Riley’s gaze in the mirror. “I love it.”

Riley paid for the hat, waving away Ella’s protests.

“Thank you.” Ella brushed her hand against hers, but she moved it away.

“Sorry. We need to be careful in the village. Sometimes Jane and Kristoph eat out here.”

The words kicked out the air from under her, and the happy feeling shrivelled in her chest. “Ah, right.”

Riley grimaced at her change of tone before masking it with a smile. “But don’t worry. I have a surprise for you.” She thanked the shopkeeper, checked her watch, and then started walking.

But Ella didn’t follow. The reminder crushed her, squeezing and squishing her into something small. She didn’t want to have to hide any part of her away. Ever since coming out at sixteen, Ella had vowed to never shield those sides of her. The reminder made her feel like a tiny bug that’d been stepped on. Small. Insignificant. Emotions she’d felt when she’d dated Maeve. Maeve’s hard gaze cut through her thoughts, mouth downturned in a frown as her firm hand squeezed her thigh. “What did I say about keeping quiet?”

Ella hadn’t meant to bring up politics at dinner, but she couldn’t help but step in when Maeve’s uncle suggested putting metal spikes outside the office to deter the homeless. Her suggestion of rehabilitation internships had been met with sneers and laughter.

So Maeve had kept Ella away from her family gatherings. She was too loud, too much, too Ella. Good enough for private but not for public. She didn’t want to do that again.

Don’t think about that lanky grasshopper.