“Oh, no, I like to eat meat,” I say.
I like to eat meat.
Why. Did. I. Say. It. Like. That.
“I’m not veggie” would’ve worked just fine. Or literally any combination of words that didn’t sound like a come-on. But no.I like to eat meat.In front ofhim. Kill me now.
Struan’s mouth twitches. “That’s... good to know.” He takes a swig of beer, eyes still on me, then strolls back to the barbecue.
As soon as he’s out of earshot, Blair pushes her sunglasses up. “Okay, I know Struan’s naturally flirty, butthat? That was something. He’s definitely interested in you, Ainsley.”
I scoff. “Nah. Just banter.”
“Banter? I could practically smell the pheromones coming off him.”
I wave her off. “Even if he is, I’m not interested in him.”
Blair gives me a look that suggests she doesn’t believe me.
I take another sip of wine and stare very pointedly at the sea.
I’m not interested in him. I’mnot.
My patience is fraying fast. A slight wind has picked up and the sun’s hiding behind clouds, making it cooler. But Lily is flat out refusing to put a cardigan on. We’re over by the rocks—because she ran off the second I mentioned the word “cardigan”.
So much for my relaxed, wine-soft mood. I should’ve known better than to let my guard down for five minutes.
“Come on, Lily,” I say, holding out the cardigan and trying to keep my voice calm. “Just pop it on for me.”
She folds her arms, scowls, and stamps her foot. “It’s itchy.”
I feel the first stirrings of a headache—or maybe that’s the two glasses of wine catching up with me. “Lily, you might catch a chill if you don’t put it on.”
She stamps her foot again. “No!”
I exhale sharply. A short way away, Finn and Isla are sitting like angels by the table, chatting away. Both put their hoodies on without a fuss. Why can’t Lily be like that—just once?
“Lily,” I warn, “if you don’t put the cardigan on, we’ll have to go home and there’ll be no toasted marshmallows later.”
The reaction is instant. Lily lets out a shriek that makes Blair, Lachlan, and everyone else look over. Gus pauses from where he’s splashing in the shallows. A family further along the beach turn to stare. I want the pebbles to swallow me whole.
Struan jogs over, Barbie doll in hand—the one Isla and Lily said looked like him. “Hey,” he says, crouching beside us, “this Barbie’s getting cold.” I notice he’s picked out a tiny jacket from Lily’s Barbie bag. “Think you could show her how to put on her jacket by putting yours on too?”
Lily takes the cardigan from me. “Like this, Stwuan Barbie!” she says, proudly putting her arm in one sleeve, tantrum apparently abandoned.
I blink.
“Perfect,” Struan says, putting the doll’s jacket on. “Oh, wow, she feels warmer already.”
While he keeps Lily distracted with the Barbie, I help her with the rest of the cardigan and button it.
Finn runs over and flashes a gap-toothed smile. “Blair’s going to show us how to make s’mores. Want to help, Lily?”
“What’s s’mores?” she asks, eyes wide.
“Chocolate and marshmallows sandwiched between biscuits, all gooey together.”
Lily gasps and holds out her hand for Finn’s. He takes it and they run off towards the others.
