She squints at me for a second and I think it’s partly her thinking face and partly trying to get her eyes to focus. “Deal,” she shouts, thrusting her hand out. “Shake on it, then, Sexy Allegra.”
Now I do laugh. “Deal,” I reply, giving her hand a solid shake. “Do you want to stand now, though, to see the horizon better? I can’t imagine it’s a great view from the dirt.”
Another moment of contemplation before she gives a decisive nod and does her best to stand up. I catch her around the waist before she takes out my prize-winning plants.
“Stupid shoes,” she grumbles until she looks down, confused. “Where are my stupid shoes?”
“No idea.”
“Huh.”
She allows me to guide her a little closer to the cliff’s edge. The view really is breathtaking from up here.
“Please don’t throw me off,” she says and then burps.
“I have no intentions of that. I won’t hurt you, Bonnie.” I really want the words to stick.
“But you hurt Kelley. She’s my bestie from another westie… No, that’s not right. Sister from another mother. No, hang on…”
I roll my lips in to stop a laugh bubbling up. “Sister from another mister, I think is the correct phrase.”
“Yes, that!” she declares, pointing her finger to the sky in triumph. Her eyes dart from the sunset to my eyes. She’s waiting for me to say something.
“I’ve apologised for that. I know it was wrong.” Jesus, it’s like talking to a child.
Another squint of her eyes. “But you have a gun. You’re a baddie and I don’t like it. You’re too pretty to be a baddie.”
“I…” …donotlike her calling me a baddie. But I shouldn’t be surprised. It all seems so black and white to people. Clearing my throat, I nod to the sun, which is almost gone. “You’re missing it.”
She looks at me for a second longer and then turns towards the sea. Her balance is atrocious, so I keep my arm around her waist. I feel her move into me a little more and my traitorous heart does a little dance.
Thankfully, she doesn’t protest when I encourage her to walk with me. About fifteen minutes in and she’s sagging against me, her eyes drooping.
Great.
Scooping her up, I hold her firmly in my arms. She doesn’t protest, which leads me to believe she’s already asleep. At least this way I can pick up the pace. I’m a sweaty mess by the time we arrive at the villa. Rosa is standing there, her face pale.
“Allegra, I—”
“Save it,” I growl. Pushing through the door, I don’t stop when Pete and Kelley come rushing over. I barge through them all and take Bonnie straight to her room. Laying her down on the unmade bed, I cover her with a light sheet. It’s far too hot for anything more, and I’m not going to undress her. She’s out like a light and drooling.
Softly closing the door behind me, fatigue suddenly hits me with force. I should go down and rip into Rosa, or into Bonnie’s so-called friends, for letting her get into that state and allowing her to wander off.
I do neither of those things. I go to my room, shower, and slip under the covers. Instead of frustration, I start to laugh. Once I start, I can’t stop. Bonnie’s slurred words play in a loop. Forgetting about the whole “you’re a baddie” thing, I concentrate on her calling meSexy Allegra.
I’m going to have fun with that.
15
Bonnie
I’mdying.Allthemoisture in my body is gone and my skull feels like it’s vacuum-packed my brain. This isn’t the first day since being here I’ve woken up with a hangover, but it’s the worst by far.
I can’t even remember getting to bed. In fact, a whole chunk of yesterday is gone. The last thing I remember was Pete pouring me a mimosa at brunch. One turned into many and then…nothing. If yesterday followed the pattern we’ve got ourselves into recently, the three of us would have stayed around the pool, drinking and listening to music. But if we did that, why are my feet muddy? And why do I have it on my arse as well? Dammit, I really liked this skirt.
A sharp pain makes me moan out loud. I think it’s my liver protesting. It’s never had to deal with this amount of alcohol in all its existence. I need a bucket of water. But first… Yep, I need to vomit. Oh, God.
Now I’ve purged myself of a week’s worth of alcohol, maybe I can try to get some water and food in me. Just the thought of eating turns my stomach more. I’m close to summoning the energy to go downstairs when my door flies open and Kelley spills in, looking worse for wear.
