Page 79 of The Heartbreak Hotel

Riley shook her head, a chuckle rising in her throat. She kissed Ella’s forehead, and they snuggled together, muscles trembling, hearts pounding, their bodies moulding against each other’s.

As the beautiful woman curled into her side and fell into a peaceful sleep, Riley vowed that today was no longer the mark of everything she once lost. It was the mark of a new start. And she couldn’t wait for it to begin.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ella

“And…open your eyes.”

Ella squinted as she adjusted to the warm light streaming in through Senhor Arenoso’s windows.

“Release a final breath and ground yourself back in the room,” he said, opening his eyes and doing the same.

She exhaled, tuning into the sounds, the caress of the breeze in her hair, the softness of the mat beneath her fingers. The blue sky stretched out across the sea, the chatter of the birds filtering in through the open air.

“How do you feel?” he asked.

“Great,” she answered honestly. She stretched her arms and back but froze when she remembered the chiffon scarf wrapped around her neck. She styled it out, bringing her hands back to check it was still securely in place.

Phew. She released another breath and pretended to look out at the view.

“I’m very pleased with your growth.” He nodded, and she turned back to him. “You should be proud of yourself.”

“You know what? I am.”

His eyes crinkled at the edges, but Ella didn’t miss how his gaze wandered to the scarf.

The pink-and-purple garment wasn’t something she’d usually opt to wear—unless she was being held at gunpoint or it was for some high-paid dare. She’d borrowed it from Pauline, with a no-questions-asked agreement, but under Senhor’s steely gaze, sweat beaded beneath the material.

“It’s not that bad,” Riley had commented earlier.

She’d observed herself in the mirror, the collection of purple and yellow bruises marking her neck. Ella had twirled the fabric. “I look like my mum. Tragic.”

“Do you think anyone will notice?” Riley thumbed her own singular bruise before pulling up the collar of her shirt to hide it.

“That we’re both acting strange and wearing different clothes…? Nah, I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

Riley groaned and slinked towards her. “I know. I’m sorry.” She dipped to plant kisses along her neck. “I might have got a little carried away.”

Ella turned to putty in Riley’s arms as her mouth explored the delicate skin. They’d quickly fallen into bed again, making Ella late for her last session with Marco Marcos. Everything at Sandy Springs was coming to an end—except for one thing, her relationship with Riley.

She couldn’t stop the stupid smile from erupting across her face. Senhor Arenoso glanced at her, and she bit her lip to hide it.

“I’m sorry,” she said, when he continued to watch her expectantly. “Did you say something?”

He rose to collect the empty mugs in front of them. “I asked how you felt about the fire ceremony tomorrow.”

Ah, yes. The fire ceremony was a key event for the course. It marked the end of their old life and gave them a chance to cleanse and make way for the journey ahead of them once they left Sandy Springs. They would also receive their spirit-guide totems, something to carry and guide them through the next stages. Ella didn’t really know what to expect.

From the ceremony or her new old life back home.

Was Riley going to come back with her? And both of them make the token lesbian move and start living together after a few weeks? She could just imagine Winnie’s face when she showed up with Riley on her arm.

Or did Riley’s idea of leaving mean something different?

Ella doubted Riley would want to go back to Ireland after everything she’d mentioned about her dad, but if life had taught her anything, it was to never be too sure. She needed to bite the bullet and talk to her about it tonight.

“Something on your mind?” Senhor Arenoso asked.