Page 61 of The Forbidden Fling

Well, not dating, obviously. But whatever this summer fling, impending heartbreak was categorised as. Fuck buddies? Diana was more sophisticated than the term implied, but nothing seemed quite appropriate.

She pushed those thoughts aside and tuned into the present, as she’d practised in Senhor Arenoso’s sessions. The waves crashing in the distance, the soft slap of their feet against the path, and Diana’s intoxicating scent drifting in on the breeze.

Faye snuck a glance at her, admiring her strong cheekbones and pointed chin. Her hair curled in short flicks around her face, one side tucked behind an ear, revealing a collection of gold hoop earrings that caught the sunlight.

“Do you have any other piercings?” Faye asked. She heard the undertone behind her question and scrambled, trying to force the image of intimate piercings out of her head. “I always wanted my belly button pierced when I was younger, but I can’t do that now.”

“Because of your stoma?”

“Yeah. It can cause infection and complications. It’s just not worth the risk.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. There are worse things than not having my navel pierced.” She laughed. “I think it was more to do with Britney’s influence than anything else, anyway.”

Diana chuckled. “I didn’t picture you as a Britney fan.”

“Who isn’t a Britney fan?” They fell into step on the worn trail. “You can’t tell me you don’t sing along to the classics. I can totally see you tearing up ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’.”

Diana laughed again, and the feeling lifted Faye like she was walking on the clouds. “My singing is certainly not something you want to hear.”

“It is.”

She glanced at her. “Why? It’s awful.”

“I don’t mind. I think it’s a nice thing. Whenever someone sings, they’re happy. It’s like a human phenomenon that slips through without us realising it. At least that’s what my dads say.” She shrugged. “But they’re also hardcore Britney fans, so who knows?”

They rounded a few bushes, which were covered in flowers, their white-and-pink petals turning towards the sun.

“What are your dads like?” Diana asked.

“David’s a history teacher and Lukas is an artist. They drive me crazy, but they’re great. David might be coming to celebrate the Fire Ceremony at the end of the course.” Before she could ask if Diana would have anyone joining her, as per the Sandy Springs tradition, a bundle of orange darted across the path. “Oh my god! Look. It’s a cat.” She fell to her knees, letting out little kisses and chirps.

The cat peered at her from under a bush, the swishing of its tail twitching the leaves.

“Come on, kitty,” Faye encouraged, creeping a little closer.

The cat slinked out from under the greenery and tentatively sniffed her hand. After another sniff, he rubbed his soft head against Faye’s knuckles, and she beamed. Friends. Sweet.

She turned to grin at Diana, who was watching the encounter from a safe distance with curiosity. “Come say hello.”

With the same cautiousness as the feline, Diana moved closer. “Do you do this with every animal you meet?” she teased, bending next to her.

“Pretty much.”

The ginger cat switched his attention to the new arrival, taking his time to assess the status of friend or foe. When he relented, brushing against her, Diana let out a little laugh of delight. How could she be so adorable and so hot at the same time?

The cat scampered off, and they both rose to their feet.

“Do you have any pets?” Faye asked as they carried on along the path. The sun hid behind the clouds, allowing them a brief respite from the warm rays.

Diana shook her head. “No. But there were cats at the farm my dad worked at, and I used to play with them sometimes.”

Faye grinned, imagining a young Diana chasing cats around the barn. “I love cats. I have four.”

“Four?!”

“Yup. Biscuit, Mochi, Angus, and Taco.”