Page 33 of The Forbidden Fling

Part of her wanted to turn back around, to find Faye and tell her the truth about what was on her mind. Her heart skipped in her chest at the implication of getting to know her better, setting something alight that fired through her whole system. Then the cabins popped into view, and newfound clarity washed over her.

Maybe Molly needed a bit of fun, too.

So she dipped into her cabin, taking the bottle of Dom Pérignon from the fridge in the kitchenette. She’d received it a year ago from her boss, after exceptional student grades, and had been saving it for a special occasion. Might as well toast this change of mindset. Even if Molly wanted none of it, Diana did, so she was going to drink it.

She knocked on Molly’s door, bottle in hand, and waited, bouncing on her toes. The muffled slap of sandals against stone echoed on the other side, and then it opened.

“Hey, Mol. Fancy a glass of this out on the back?” She waved the bottle in the air.

Molly eyed the offering like it was poison before giving a small shrug and leading Diana through her cabin, out onto the private balcony. Two potted plants flanked a small wooden table and two chairs. A black railing separated the patio from the pink and yellow wildflowers growing in the spaces behind the apartments. The sea rolled and frothed in the distance, peeking through the gaps between the buildings. Though not completely private, the area was sheltered from most of the neighbours. Absolutely worth the price upgrade, in Diana’s opinion.

“What’s the occasion?” Molly asked as she sluggishly fetched two glasses from the kitchen and placed them on the table. She slumped into her chair, and Diana tried her absolute best not to frown at her dressed in her pink pyjamas.

Molly should be out there exploring, meeting people, taking advantage of this place. Not lounging inside in her sleepwear. Was this what she’d been doing since dropping out of university? She pushed the thought from her mind, trying to focus on the carefree feeling from earlier and not the stern-professor mum-mode she so easily slipped into.

Have fun.

She blew out a breath. “No occasion. Just thought it would be nice.”

Molly eyed the bottle warily, like it had a coiled-up snake hidden inside. “Seems a bit hypocritical, don’t you think?”

That landed like a punch to the gut.

“An alcohol-free course and you sneak a bottle of ridiculously expensive champagne in?”

“It’s not a big deal.” Diana shrugged. “It’s not like we’re flaunting it in front of the staff.”

Every muscle in Molly’s face seemed locked into stone. Cold, carved, and unmoving. Then her mouth broke into a wide grin, revealing the small gap she’d inherited from Diana’s mother. A rare, genuine smile. “You’re a bit of a rebel. I like it.”

Diana laughed, offering her the bottle. “Do you want to do the honours?”

Molly took a while to loosen the cork, and Diana had to nip her hand to stop herself from interfering. Finally, she popped it, sending the fizz flowing over the glasses. Molly shot her a panicked look. “Oops. Sorry about that.”

Diana bit her tongue at the sight of a hundred pounds’ worth of top-quality champagne pooling on the stone ground. “It’s fine.”

“Trust me to spill the most expensive champagne I’ll ever drink.” Molly handed her the glass, sticky liquid dripping down the stem and onto Diana’s fingers.

“It was just a gift from my boss. Don’t worry.” She caught the dip in Molly’s expression at the mention of her work and sat a little straighter. “But we’re not talking about work. Or your future. Or any of that stuff.”

Molly’s eyebrow lifted. “No?”

“No. I brought this too.” She dug in her pocket and placed a pack of cards on the table. “Remember how we used to play rummy?”

“God. I haven’t played that in forever.” Molly laughed, and for a moment, her eyes held that same flicker of excitement she’d had when she was a little girl. When she still wore frilly socks, and her favourite band was One Direction. “Sounds fun, though.”

Fun. Yes, that was what they needed. Diana couldn’t remember the last time they’d really had fun together. Guilt nipped at her, but she pushed it away, gripping the stem of her glass and lifting it to Molly’s.

“Cheers,” she said.

Their flutes clinked; they took a sip. Then Molly dealt the cards.

Diana savoured the crisp sharpness of the champagne as it rolled over her tongue, and her mind wandered to Faye. It was official. This trip, she was taking a break.

It was time to truly enjoy herself.

Chapter Eleven

Faye