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This place is a five-story, red-earth colored hotel that’s literally forcing us to live on the edge. It’s built on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea with terraces offering breathtaking views from all levels. Even the swimming pool is right on the edge.
“We might have splurged on this place, but we only live once. It’s just money,” I say.
“My thoughts exactly,” Zoe agrees. “And the pool is surreal. Not only does it hang over the cliff’s edge, but part of it has a glass bottom so you can see all the way down to where the waves crash on the rocks… so cool.”
Rhia opens her door and we all filter in. The interconnecting door to my room is open, and so is Zoe’s. But instead of going to our own rooms, we head onto Rhia’s balcony and admire the blue vastness of the Mediterranean.
We always book separate rooms for a multitude of reasons.
Zoe has to have her own space—full stop. Nobody wants to share a room with her. With her unpredictable comings and goings, it would be a nightmare, especially if she was to bring back a guy.
In theory Rhia would be fun to share a room with, but occasionally she talks in her sleep. That in itself has proven quite entertaining… until one night some years ago, when she terrified me waking up screaming and yelling. Apparently she was reliving and, according to her, improving a fight she had with her toy boy of the week.
Then there’s also the fact that Rhia likes to sleep in the nude. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no prude, but I prefer to wear something… even if it’s an old faded Bon Jovi t-shirt with tiny holes all over. And as much as I love my best friend, I prefer not seeing her private bits.
As an ongoing joke, whenever she has a sleepover at my place when Lex is away, she enlightens me about the apparent health benefits of sleeping naked and feigns mock outrage when I don’t want to jump on the bandwagon. Instead, I make her wear a shirt—my house, my rules.
However, the main reason these days for separate rooms is that my best friend likes to get hot and sweaty with her boyfriend over the phone. Those two don’t let distance stand in their way and have found ways to satisfy their need for one another, even when not together. And I really don’t need a front-row seat for that kind of action.
Before Alexander, or as we like to say BA, she craved variety and wasn’t ashamed to go for what she wanted. Relationships just weren’t her thing, and she avoided them like the plague. As soon as a guy expressed any interest in anything more than just sex, she’d toss him to the curb… until Alexander. He changed everything.
Good thing he works away regularly or her PR company wouldn’t be what it is today. She pours her love and devotion into her business, especially when Lex is on a job. It keeps her occupied and focused, and the results are showing. Her PR company is one of the rising stars in Ireland in its field, with more and more boutique companies seeking her expertise.
“The three of us are invited to dinner tomorrow night,” Rhia informs her sister.
“By whom?” she asks, not taking her eyes off the view.
Rhia fills her in on what happened this afternoon, and of course, Zoe is more than on board to spend the evening with handsome bachelors.
“Hell yes! That is exciting. Maybe I’ll seduce all three of them. I’ve never tried a foursome before.”
Rhia and I look at each other, eyebrows raised, and I’m sure in my case my mouth is hanging open too.
“Zoe, you’re not the main attraction. Ella is,” Rhia says sternly, setting her sister straight. “Not that he would want you, given the way he devoured El. But just to be clear, Gualtiero De Marco is off limits to you. Okay?”
“Oops. Sorry, El. I got carried away there for a second,” Zoe apologizes with a sheepish grin. “I won’t encroach on your territory.”
“Encroach all you want,” I tell her. “You’d probably save me from making a complete fool of myself.”
“Oh El, you innocent little thing. You need to push your comfort zone,” Zoe replies.
My eyes go wide. I can’t believe she just said that.
Rhia smiles triumphantly and gives me a cheeky wink.
“Not you too,” I mutter.
“Yep, me too,” Zoe replies with the same sassy smirk. Jeez, in some things they’re so alike. “You need to get back on the horse. You haven’t been with anyone since Marco, right? And that was years ago. How do you survive without sex?!”
“Oh for goodness’ sake,” I cry out. “It’s not all about getting your rocks off with someone. I prefer to have an emotional connection.”
“Sounds like you have one with that guy. Just do it,” Zoe says, once again sounding like her sister, who stands by the terrace door, grinning from ear to ear.
“Look, you guys, butt out. The thought of casual sex churns my stomach… and not in a good way. The idea of a one-night stand or a vacation fling makes me break out in hives. I just can’t see myself hopping into bed with a stranger.”
“He wouldn’t be a stranger for long,” Zoe giggles.
It probably sounds old-fashioned to most, but taking somebody inside my body is special to me—sacred even. It’s not something I take lightly.
