Page 100 of The Forbidden Fling

As they climbed the hill towards her cabin, a ghostly feeling passed over her. The presence of Faye who’d arrived here last time. How unsure she was. How afraid—how hungover. So much good had happened here that had changed her for the better. She was more confident and accepting of herself, and she knew what she wanted. She wouldn’t let what happened with Diana taint or take away from that. Ultimately, finding her enigma was what she’d come here for in the first place.

She breathed in deep, letting the air touch every space in her lungs. When she exhaled, she picked her head up higher. I’m a fucking elephant. Strong and resilient. She touched the totem resting against her chest, letting the feeling sink further into her skin.

Faye left her suitcase at her new cabin, then Carla dropped her off at the courtyard with the others, with the promise of seeing her later at the wedding. Flowers cascaded down the pergola in blues, pinks, and yellows, and she touched one as she passed, the silky petals soft between her fingers. A dozen round tables had been set up in the courtyard, their clean white tablecloths adorned with petals, with blue napkins folded into turkeys and dolphins—Riley and Ella’s spirit familiars.

“Would you like a drink?”

The voice made her turn, and she burst into a big grin. “Romeo! How are you doing?”

He grinned back, wobbling his tray and almost spilling the flutes of sparkling liquid down his neat, beige vest. “I finally got the goats to master the hoop trick. Now I just need to add the fire.”

The image of Sandy Springs doused with flames entered Faye’s mind. “That’s brilliant… Just be careful, Romeo.”

He nodded, angling the tray towards her, his brown hair flopping over his eyes. “Would you like one? They’re non-alcoholic.”

She declined. Drinks with bubbles still didn’t do her any favours—whether they were alcoholic or not. The last thing she wanted today was a bag-astrophe. Romeo made the rounds of the other guests, and Faye went for a wander. She chatted with some familiar faces from her time on the island. Louis and Charles were in the process of adopting a baby, and Faye couldn’t be happier for them. Her eyes kept wandering, though, searching for that woman who could turn her legs to jelly and her heart to mush.

When Senhor Arenoso appeared, clapping his hands together and asking everyone to follow him down to the beach, Faye’s heart sank.

Maybe Diana wasn’t coming.

She’d known it was a possibility. One that she’d have to be content with. But she’d had a feeling…

She picked up her gaze, scanning the rush of colourful guests again. Maybe the connection they’d shared had been weakened by their time apart, distorted by the electromagnetic waves, and it was all wishful thinking.

She couldn’t deny the disappointment. There was so much she wanted to say to Diana that would go unsaid, but she’d promised herself she’d be present for Ella and Riley’s wedding. So she had to put a pin in that for now.

I’m a fucking elephant.

She joined the throng as they descended the walkway, dresses catching the wind like billowing ribbons, some holding their hats for dear life. The sea, as reliable as ever, beckoned them closer with rolling waves, the gentle crashing soothing Faye’s internal storm.

On the sand, bamboo runners led the way to the aisle, which was prettily decorated on either side with shells and colourful stones. Blue chiffon drapes fluttered loosely in the breeze, matching the chairs paired with white gypsophila. At the head of the aisle, a beautiful wedding arch stood, wrapped in white and blue flowers.

Senhor Arenoso, wearing a magnificent blue kaftan lined with gold, exchanged hugs and kind words with everyone as he guided them to their seats. Faye removed her shoes by the wooden sign offering guests that option, letting her toes sink into the warm sand.

“Faye,” Senhor greeted her, kind eyes assessing. “Lovely to see you. I trust the elephant is guiding you well?”

“As well as she can.”

He let out a low chuckle before steering her towards a white wicker chair. “Have a little faith,” he said with a wink, and turned to greet the next in line.

Faye smiled at her neighbours and let out a breath. Just relax and enjoy yourself. Her leg bounced, the material sliding off her thigh.

More guests filled the aisles, polite chatter humming around her as the waves broke gently on the shore and birds cawed overhead. She hoped Pinkie was doing well. Riley had told her the tracker showed her successfully reunited with her flock, so she took pride in that.

She let her gaze drift, admiring a raft of shearwaters bobbing along the frothy surface of the water. Then a figure emerged from behind the rocks.

Her heart squeezed. She forgot how to breathe.

Diana was approaching, black heels in hand, the breeze gently tousling that gorgeous blonde hair, like a shampoo advert. A sophisticated mid-length dress flowed around her calves, its long sheer sleeves and deep V-neckline revealing acres of perfect pale skin. As she drew closer, Faye’s pulse firm and thick in her throat, the delicate, textured pattern on her dress grew visible; the deep burgundy colour was that of an exquisite red wine Faye wanted to drown herself in.

Diana carried herself just as Faye expected. Like that of a goddess, an angel, a queen. Her breath hitched as Diana scanned the seated guests. Was she looking for her?

She waited, heart fighting to beat out of her ribcage. The chatter of the guests around her faded into a pitchy ringing that only heightened her focus on the woman standing by the wedding arch.

Then Diana’s gaze found Faye, and the world tilted on its axis. Everything she’d worked so hard to contain slipped away from her and towards the woman who held her heart. Like gravity itself were shifting.

She blinked, the pull behind her sternum deepening, the distance between them unbearable. But it was Diana’s face… Her composed expression, her deep chocolate eyes tracing Faye’s frame like they were committing it to memory. Then the twitch of her mouth. The corner curving into that smile that struck like an arrow through her heart, pinning her to her chair.