Well, there’s no mistaking that – take it from a bloke who’s written a near-perfect first-kiss scene.
I keep my eyes on hers, the air charging with tiny needles of anticipation. I want nothing more than to press my lips to hers – especially when her eyelids flutter shut – butwhat the hell am I doing?
I jump back as if I’ve been electrocuted and Delaney’s eyes fly open.
‘Oh, fuck,’ she whispers.
‘Yeah.’
Her chin falls to her chest and she shakes her head.
‘Come on,’ I say, ‘let’s go inside.’
I reach past her again and open the door, and she goes inside. I follow, but I’m not sure what to do with myself. We nearly kissed. We nearly fucking kissed.
‘Excuse me,’ she says, heading into the bathroom.
I put our belongings on the sofa and go out to the balcony, heading for the railing. The sun is beginning to set and I’ve got a front-row seat to the fiery hues of the splendorous sky, but all I can see in my mind’s eye is Delaney’s upturned face waiting for me to kiss her.
‘Fuck.’
* * *
Delaney
I do have to pee, which is why I excused myself, but now I don’t want to go back out there.
‘What the actual fuck, Delaney Rae?’ I whisper harshly, middle-namingmyself.
After peeing, I stand at the sink, looking myself in the eye as I wash my hands. I cast my mind back over the day and try to pinpoint exactly where I made a wrong turn.Wrong turn – hah!Who am I trying to kid? This wasn’t a single moment when I veered left but should have gone right. I’ve been on this trajectory from the moment Nick’s naked torso gave me the feels.
Another man should not be giving me the feels. But that’s what’s happened. That’s what I’veallowedto happen.
And now we’re stuck sharing this suite until we can leave Capri.
Maybe there’s been a development – maybe the ash cloud is dispersing and flights will resume and I can get the fuck out of Dodge and meet up with Nicholas in Iceland. But I wouldn’t know because I haven’t checked my phone all afternoon and it’s out there in my beach bag.
With Nick.
I eye the bathtub, sizing it up. People sometimes sleep in bathtubs, right? I could lay sofa cushions along the bottom and use the extra comforter they brought up yesterday.
I bunch my mouth to the side. It would suck, but what’s the alternative – sleep in the same bed with Nick again? That’s like letting an arsonist run the fire station.
I seriously can’t wrap my brain around how this has turned out. All I wanted was a nice romantic vacation with my boyfriend.
I sigh, looking back at my reflection. I miss Nicholas. I miss himsomuch.
Or is that just what I’m telling myself?
My eyes widen in shock, the question hitting hard. Without warning, Megan’s words bring up the rear of the truth-bomb express:maybe this thing with Nicholas has run its course.
I shake my head to clear it. Even if Nicholas and I aren’t meant to be together forever – and how will I know for sure until I see him again? – he’s my boyfriend and I should not be having almost-kisses with the hot man-mountain. The hot man-mountain who isengagedand is missing his wedding right now.
There’s a sharp rap on the door, startling me.
‘Delaney? Sorry, but I need the loo.’
Oh god, I’m hiding in the bathroom and the poor guy’s about to pee his pants.