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“What are you doing on billionaire island?” my new friend asks as she seductively wraps her lips around her straw. “I don’t think I have seen you here before.”
Nothing.
Watching her has no effect on me. Nothing like Isabella did on the plane. What the fuck is wrong with me? I’m going to end up in real trouble if I start having all these taboo fantasies about Olivia’s best friend. That’ll be the end of me and my daughter before we even get a chance.
I think I better turn my flirt game up and try and focus onher.
She’s up for a good time, and I desperately needed a distraction.
“I think the question is what areyoudoing here?”
She wiggles her eyebrows playfully. “I think I might be here to meet you.”
Well, it looks like I’m about to have some fun, which beats sulking. I guess this night might not be a total loss after all.
ChapterEight
ISABELLA
Yeah okay, this isn’t exactly my idea of fun, I’ll be honest.
The beach rave is pretty cool. I can understand the appeal when it comes to other people, but the thumping music is giving me a bit of a headache and the flashing lights just don’t vibe with the beauty of the island. I don’t know what it is, but it doesn’t feel right.
Maybe I just need to have a couple more drinks, then I might get in the mood. I just need to get to the same level as Olivia, then I won’t be this party pooper.
“Come dance.” Olivia demands as she reaches out for my arm. I shake her off though, acting like I just want to finish my drink first. The same thing I’ve been doing for the last hour or so. She pouts, but I know she isn’t really bothered. Things are heating up with Benji in a great way. Just to show my support, I’ve already snapped some photos and posted them online for her so everyone will know that she has a guy who suits her a lot.
I’m worried, I think that’s part of the problem. I can’t relax, and not even because I’m concerned about something happening to Olivia again, although that was definitely an issue when the evening began. No, it’s the sense that I shouldn’t be here. That I wasn’treallyinvited and I’m not wanted.
A place I would be wanted in, is back at the hotel room with my laptop. The anxiety keeps creeping up in the back of my brain, reminding me that I have so much to do, that my deadlines are looming closer, and that I should be taking care of business while I can.
I put my cup down, abandoning the drink that I didn’t really want anyway, and head to the middle of the dance floor. I don’t want to interrupt Olivia who’s currently staring into Benji’s eyes as if he’s the only man on the planet. The slow dancing they’re pulling off definitely doesn’t match the thumping dance music, but it’s kinda cute how they don’t care.
They have one another and that’s all that matters.
I feel guilty as I reach out and tap her on the shoulder. Even more so when she continues to ignore me for a moment, forcing me to tap her again.
“Yay, you’re here!” As soon as she spots me, she grabs me and starts jumping around wildly, a total contrast to how she was only a moment before. “I’ve been waiting for you!”
I do try, I really do. I so don’t want to let Olivia down that I really do attempt to dance, but my heart isn’t in it. I’m too exhausted to even fake it, so I definitely can’t make it.
“I’m not feeling so good,” I call out, getting as close to her ear as I can. “I think I might take off. We’re only just around the corner from our cabin, so I’m going to bed.”
She doesn’t seem to really hear me. Either that or Olivia doesn’t want to let me go. She keeps a tight grip on me and talks so fast I don’t think I’d stand a chance of picking up any of her words even if we weren’t surrounded by so much noise the whole island might as well be shaking. I make the universal sign by pointing to my ear and shaking my head, but that only makes her throw her hands in the air in frustration.
It's almost a relief when Benji dances back up behind her and snakes his arms around her waist to remind her that he’s there for her. Benji seems to understand my wild hand signals that I’m leaving, even if Olivia doesn’t. He hasn’t drunk much; he seems responsible and nice.
I really don’t have any issue leaving them alone.
I do keep my eyes on them as I back away, but I can tell all is fine. I won’t be sleeping any time soon anyway while I have work anxiety, so if she needs me I’ll be there.
A weird sensation flip flops in the pit of my stomach as I finally spin around and break eye contact with them. Seeing Benji so caring and sweet with Olivia is wonderful, particularly after the hell that Leon put her through, but it does leave me wondering why it’s been so long since I met a decent guy that gives me butterflies.
I guess it’s because I don’t go out looking for it. I’m not on any dating apps and I don’t spend a lot of timeputting myself out there, which doesn’t help. But I’d much rather things be more organic.
I kinda have a romantic side of me that needs some attention…
“Hello there, darling,” a voice drawls in the darkness, breaking through my steely barrier of thoughts. Instantly, I’m on high alert. The hairs on the back of my neck prickle, knowing that this isn’t going to end well. “Where are you going?”
