“Let me see.” Scar giggles. “Wow, you look incredible,” she tells Nina with wide eyes.
“Guys!” Nina blushes, and I frown.
I want what’s on that phone.
I stand. “Pass it to me.”
Megan looks at me as if I’ve grown two heads. “Fuck off, asshole.” She laughs and carries on.
“Sit down, Lowell,” Lance calls from the other side of the table, a smirk on his face.
“Nina.” I jerk my head for her to come to me. She sticks her tongue in her cheek, holding the phone to her chest. “Come here.”
She shakes her head, grinning wide. “You come here,” she mouths.
I walk to her, needing to see what has caused her to blush. “I want to see,” I tell her, stepping up in front of her.
She passes me the phone, and I look down at the screen. My chest constricts as I take in the image. She is breathtaking. It’s a photo of her, the one she told me about. She’s reaching for the camera, but it feels like she’s reaching for me. Her dimple is gracing the side of her cheek, and her eyes are locked on the lens.
I look up at her, that same blush from before colouring her face.
“You’re beautiful, angel. You know that, don’t you?”
She looks past me at the boys behind. “Give me that.” She snatches the phone from my hand as I take her into my arms.
“When do you get the photos?” I ask, knowing they’re important to her.
“I was supposed to get them this week. I should probably call Joey.”
“Well when you do, I’ll come with you. I’d like to buy some copies.”
She beams at me, and I give her a soft wink.
I will do anything to keep that smile on her face. It will be my life’s mission.
“Guys, group photo!” Scarlet calls, passing the camera to Lamona, who is one of our staff.
I lean in and give Nina a deep but short kiss, then pull her over to the group. We always have photos by the rocks. Normally as a family or me and the boys. I’ve not been out here with Scar for years, not since we were kids. I never asked if she wanted to get away, and I feel shitty for it.
Looking around at the friends we have now, the girls who both fit perfectly with us and include Scar like she’s been a friend for life, and then Nina, who I never expected to bring here. She is the most unexpected—the way she makes me feel.
It’s like this is how it always should have been.
“Get your hand off my ass, Elliot!” Lucy shouts, making us all chuckle.
“Not me,” he says, lifting his hands.
The flash goes off, and the girls all complain. An array of complaints ranging from their eyes being closed, and they weren’t ready. We try five more times before me and the guys get fed up.
We leave it to the professionals and head for the beach.
Nina
We sit on the smooth sand watching Lance, Elliot, Charlie, and Mase play a variation of volleyball in the sea. I didn’t know what to expect when it came to a holiday away with them all, but this wasn’t it. It’s chilled and relaxing, and I’m having the most amazing time.
“Mase told me he wants to marry me,” I tell the girls.
“What?!” Lucy stammers.
