“See? I was right,” Stella whispered with a smirk. “Well, maybe not about the bedroom part, but they’re most certainly hooking up.”
“Good God, it sounds like it’s more than just hooking up.” Lisa needed a moment to let it sink in. Five years ago, Ebony had flirted with her brother, and he had asked her out. She’d never taken the situation seriously, and when the date never happened even less so. Her brother was a player, and he wasn’t Ebony’s type. Ebony liked successful men who had their shit together, just like Lisa used to lean towards successful women. But it seemed like her brother had indeed changed. He was a lot calmer, he drank less and he was more grounded. And now he was kissing her best friend. “I can’t believe it.”
“I can.” Stella nuzzled her neck and pulled the covers over them. “You didn’t even notice over dinner, did you?” She traced Lisa’s curves, splaying her fingers wide as she dragged her hands down her body and inhaled deeply against her skin. “Now, where were we?”
66
Heading to the beach with the dogs, Fergi, Ebony and Lisa, Stella was amused by Fergi and Ebony’s interaction. They hadn’t mentioned anything over breakfast and she and Lisa hadn’t brought it up, but they had looked a little uncomfortable for the first couple of hours. It was a funny situation as Ebony treated him no different to last night; with playful rejection to his advances.
“Why are they trying to hide it?” Lisa whispered. “It’s not like I care.”
“You didn’t go screaming it from the rooftops after the first nightweslept together, did you?”
“No, you have a point there.” Lisa chuckled. “And I suppose they might feel a bit awkward towards me. Brother and best friend and all that.”
“Exactly. And it might not be anything more than one night. Maybe they just had to get it out of their system.” Stella laughed too when she saw their hands brush in between them. “Although it doesn’t look that way.” Walking ahead of them; Ebony in an olive-coloured mini dress that was a little too glamorous for the beach and Fergi in shorts, an old T-shirt and his walking stick, they looked like a funny pair.
When Ebony turned around, Lisa and Stella pretended to look at a ship in the distance. “Hey, guys, the cripple is getting tired,” she joked, and pointed to the nearest beach bar. “Shall we go and have a drink over there?”
“Sure. I’m sorry, Fergi, I wasn’t thinking.” Lisa ran up to him. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m totally fine. I just haven’t tried walking on sand since the accident and my leg is getting tired.” He smiled widely. “To be honest, I wouldn’t mind a cold beer either.”
“Same here,” Stella agreed. She turned around and called Butters and Meatball, who immediately came tearing up to her, their ears flapping in the wind.
“Oh my, they came back right away.” Lisa looked impressed but laughed when she saw Stella was holding up their treat bag. “Never mind. I see bribery is still the only way.”
“Hey, whatever works.” Stella got down on her knees, ruffled a hand over their heads and gave them a treat so Lisa could put them on their leads.
Catching up with Ebony and Fergi, who had already grabbed a table, they ordered cold beers and water for the dogs. It was a nice Mexican-inspired bar with chilled music and a tranquil sea view. Stella had never been here before as she didn’t tend to walk this way but with the dogs, it was fun to discover new places.
Ebony sighed in delight as she lifted her oversized shades onto her head and sipped from her beer. “I love it here. Please tell me we’re good guests and that you’ll invite us back.” She twirled a lock of her curly hair around her finger and shot Lisa and Stella a pleading look.
“Of course you can come again. You’re welcome to visit whenever you want,” Stella said, and she meant it. Lisa’s people were fun, and she was having a great time with them.
“You usually invite yourself anyway, don’t you?” Lisa joked. “But what’s with the ‘us’?” she asked in a teasing tone.
“What do you mean?” Ebony blinked and shifted in her chair.
“You said ‘us’.” Lisa grinned and looked from Ebony to Fergi and back. “Does that mean you want to come back together?”
“No, it was just a figure of speech,” Ebony was quick to say, averting her gaze. She suddenly seemed very interested in her coaster and started peeling off the top layer with her long, manicured nails.
Stella nudged Lisa’s leg under the table to stop her from interrogating them further, but Lisa ignored it. “Funny,” she continued. “Our bedroom window was open last night, and I could swear I heard voices up on the roof terrace.” She turned to Fergi. “Did you hear anything from the living room?”
Fergi’s cheeks turned crimson, and he shook his head. “No, I was out cold from all that sangria. Didn’t hear a thing.” Picking up Meatball to stroke her, he skilfully changed the subject. “So, do you go to the beach a lot?”
“Yes, we take the dogs every morning before we start work, and if the sea is calm we’ll go for a swim,” Lisa said. “We’re just enjoying the summer while we still can.”
“At least the winters are short here. What a life.” Ebony leaned in on her elbows, regarding them dreamily. “And best of all, you’re not confined to a desk.” She turned to Stella. “Any jobs going in that hotel of yours by any chance?”
Stella laughed. “If you’re willing to take a massive salary cut by going into hospitality, sure, there are vacancies from time to time.”
“Life is relatively cheap in Spain though,” Lisa said. “And I’ve worked hard in the past two months but living here it doesn’t really feel like work at all. Everyone is so chilled. It’s just more balanced, I suppose.”
Ebony nodded. “I could do with being a bit more chilled.”
“Maybe I can help you with that.” Fergi shot her a wink, unable to help himself. “I’ve recently been told I have a way of relaxing women.”
