Drug charges? My God I knew he was bad news, but I had no idea that Leon was involved with drugs. Does Olivia know? She was with him for a fair while, and lived with him, but then again some people can spend decades married to a serial killer and not know. I don’t know if it’s something I should bring up while my best friend is still fragile, but it’s good to be aware.
At first, I wasn’t on board with her idea for a holiday romance, but now I’m starting to believe it might be the best thing for her.
A pallet cleanser, a fling with no strings attached. Anything to take her mind off ofhim. Plus, if she’s busy with some guy who will hopefully be spoiling her and giving her a genuinely good time, then I can get some work done. My schedule is packed at the moment, I don’t really have time for a luxury trip to Fiji… but still I’m here. Half for Olivia, and half because, well, it’s a luxury trip to Fiji. I’d be mad to turn it down.
I don’t know how much longer we have left on the flight, but I do know that I could use a minute. Carefully, I put my laptop down, and rise to my feet to stretch out my legs. When I got dressed this morning, Olivia convinced me it would be a good idea to dress as if we were on the island already, especially since as a freelancer I‘don’t get out enough’.
Probably true, to be fair, but now I’m feeling a bit silly in this dress. I smooth it down, trying to cover as much of my legs as I possibly can. I head to the bathroom, which is what I imagine the penthouse suite in a hotel looks like all on its own. Certainly not the cramped little cubicle planes usually have on offer. I could quite happily live in this space – if it wasn’t suspended in the sky that is.
It’s gorgeous, and I guess just a taste of the luxury Laucala Island will have to offer. I have to admit, Iamexcited about the island, despite myself. I’m also looking forward to spending some quality time with my girl, to make sure she is good. I want Olivia back on top form by the time we return home.
Especially if Leon is locked up and out of her life.
“I should get a drink,” I mutter to myself as I splash water over my face, trying to wake myself up a bit. I don’t have time to get tired, and to sleep the flight away. I have shit to do. “The bar isn’t here for no reason, is it? Could be fun…”
I never drink while I’m working, but there’s a first time for everything. It could be fun to try and write while a tiny bit tipsy. It might even make my writing better. Where else will I get a chance to try this?
Although if Idohave a drink, I might find myself looking at Olivia’s dad, who she has taken to calling Elijah. I don’t know why I can’t keep my eyes off of him. I keep thinking it’s because I want to suss him out, but studying his features feels much more like a self-indulgent experiment, rather than something that I’m truly doing for my friend.
I don’t knowwhy. There isn’t any explanation for this, but I just want toseehim, to work out who he is. Maybe because I don’t know if Olivia should give him a chance or not, or maybe because there is something inexplicable about him which intrigues me. Or maybe it’s because there is actually something pretty attractive about the tanned, muscular guy on the plane with me.
I’ve never looked at an older guy like this before, but it’s kinda fun.
Notthat I would ever actually do anything or even tell Olivia what’s going on in my head. It’s just a safe little feeling, that’s all because I know there isn’t anything that I can do about it.
A little taboo secret just for me.
As long as I don’t let it get out of hand, I’ll be fine.
“Oh my God.”
I jump backwards the second I swing the bathroom door open, and there he is. Elijah.
Staring at me as if he knows exactly what’s happening inside my brain. Heat blushes in my cheeks because I donotneed him knowing that I was secretly admiring him.
“Oh sorry,” he says with a low, throaty chuckle. A sound that weirdly bolts right down my spine. Already I feel like things might be getting out of hand. My head is spinning with a dizziness I really don’t need. “I didn’t know you were in here.”
I want to call him out on that, because it’s not like this is a plane so filled with passengers that he could have missed me… but I’m too stunned to speak. The heat isn’t just in my cheeks now, it’s shuddering all the way through my body. I’m sure he can sense the squishy weird way he’s making me feel.
“Well, I’m just… just going back to my seat.”
I try to slip past him, but he side steps at the same time, blocking my exit. My arm accidently brushes against him causing electrical flurries all over me. I have no idea if this is happening on purpose or if it’s just one of those awkward things, but it makes my shoulders roll up around my ears.
So stressful.
“Erm, excuse me.”
I drag my eyes up his body, the redness bubbling in my stomach now. I feel like every Goddamn inch of me is screaming out to him.
Wanting him. Aching for him.
I hate the way Elijah can probably see that. This is definitely getting out of hand, and I can’t seem to reel myself back in however hard I try.
Dear God, what the hell is wrong with me?
I need to say something,anythingto shatter the tension because otherwise I’m going to get messier than I already am.
“Weird, this,” I snap, trying to sound angry instead of anxious. “That you’re here now.”