Page 98 of More Than Just Friends

‘Long story!’ Cassie said. ‘I’m not joking. It’s enough to fill a whole book. But the point is that years later, they’re still going strong and it was the best decision they ever made. So it definitely can work.’

‘Good to know.’ I nodded.

Hmmm. That was two examples of happy couples.

Although I could still think of at least ten times more friendships that were obliterated by the friends-to-lovers shift (including my own), two happy unions that bucked the trend was decent I supposed.

Much better than one in a million.

It made me think.

I knew I’d always sworn never to have another relationship with a friend, but was it time to reconsider?

Could what I had with Noah be more than amazing sex?

Although it went against my better judgement, was there really a chance that Noah and I could really have a future beyond this holiday?

Or was I being completely delusional?

33

ALICIA

‘Mmm,’ Noah groaned as he wrapped his arms around my waist, then pressed his lips on mine. ‘Sorry, I should’ve waited until you’d closed the door, but I missed you.’

‘I missed you too,’ I said as he stepped into my room and I shut the door behind him. ‘And don’t worry. The cat’s out the bag, so you can snog me in the middle of the hotel’s restaurant or in the pool if you like.’

‘Yeah?’ His eyes widened. ‘Amazing! Let’s go and do that right now!’ He laughed. ‘Seriously though, what happened? Who knows?’

‘Sammie and everyone on the table, which means that by now, the whole of Santorini and London will know too.’

‘Oh, okay.’ Noah shrugged. ‘Did you tell them?’

‘Only after Sammie and Jasmine guessed.’

‘Jasmine guessed?’

‘Yeah. Apparently, it was “obvious” because of the friends-who-just-fucked vibes we gave off. According to Sammie we’re emitting enough electricity to power the whole universe for eternity.’

‘She’s not wrong,’ Noah teased. ‘So how do you feel?’

‘Good, I think.’ I took his hand and led him to the sofa where we sat down. ‘It’s a relief that Sammie knows. I don’t like keeping stuff from her. And it means we can enjoy the wedding properly tomorrow without sneaking around.’

‘I like the sound of that. I’m glad you’re more relaxed about it.’

‘Yeah!’ I smiled.

I’d decided that I wasn’t going to overthink stuff any more. In a couple of days we’d be heading back to London, so there was no point thinking about what might or might not happen next. For once I just wanted to live in the moment.

I’d said to Noah before that we should check in with each other once we got back and see how we felt about things then, and I still believed that was the best thing to do.

I filled him in on my conversation with Cassie and how her cousin had built a long-lasting relationship with her best friend Mike, which instantly made Noah smile.

Then because I’m human and love to gossip as much as the next person, I also told him about the fact that Cassie married a billionaire, Laila hooked up with her neighbour and best friend’s son, plus the fact that I was going to get introduced to Halle’s megastar boyfriend Jake Myers.

‘Sounds like you had a fun afternoon!’ Noah said.

‘I did. They’re all so lovely.’