I decide to use my book as a decoy and prop it up in front of me to hide behind, but I sense Angie is still staring my way. Turning another page while ignoring her eyes boring into me, I make a mental note to re-read from page fifty-two. She’s ruining my concentration.
“I know you’re ignoring me, Cal, even though I’m right.”
“Whatever’s going through your mind—stop it,” I say, flicking over another page. “He was talking to some woman earlier; probably his girlfriend.”
“See! Youhavenoticed him.”
I sigh, giving in to Angie’s persistence, carefully placing the book on my lap. “How can I not notice when he looks… well, like that.”
“Why didn’t you just say so?”
“I don’t know. Now isn’t the best time to start anything new. I’m only back for the summer and this is our last year of uni. I should focus on my finals, not men.”
“Drop the crap. What’s the real reason.”
Bugger, she knows me so well. “Honestly? I’m sure I’ve closed up down there, it’s been so long.”
“My thoughts exactly, which is why you should give him some encouragement.” she giggles. “Come on, Cal. You’vealways fancied him, you know you have,” she says, a hint of excitement in her tone.
“But what if he doesn’t feel the same? Why didn’t he ask me out at the hospital or when we were back at mine? There was enough opportunity.”
“Play the game, Cal. Do you think he’d stay with you all that time if he wasn’t interested?”
I bite my lip in worry. “I just don’t want to look like an idiot.”
“Trust me, he’s been trying to catch your eye since we pitched up here. In fact, he’s doing it right now! I swear to God?—”
“Will you just stop.” I laugh, removing my glasses altogether while reaching over and playfully slapping her arm. Unintentionally, I glance Ash’s way just as he does the same. His magnetic smile and piercing blue eyes pull me towards him. “Fuck,” I smile with a whisper under my breath. Would it be so wrong to enjoy a summer fling? It could be what I need to relieve a little post-third year stress.
I look away, casually scanning over the pebbled sand littered with bodies. My head slumps backwards on my red and white sun lounger and once I’ve put my sunglasses back on, I dive back to page fifty-two of my Adele Parks novel. It’s possibly a safer option than the boy sending good shivers over my skin.
“Oh my God, he’s coming over,” Angie flaps. Grabbing her magazine, she casually flicks through the glossy pages while not noticing it’s upside down.
“Oh shit.” Staring into my book, I’m once again, unable to process the words. My eyes are dry from staring at the page in panic, and as I sink lower into my seat, my paperback covers half my face. There’s no hiding place as his body casts a shadow over mine. Clearing his throat, he makes hispresence known, as if I’m not already aware he is there when I peek over the spine of my book. My stomach flips into oblivion, just with the anticipation of seeing his gorgeous face close up.
His hand shields his beautiful blues from the blinding sun. “Hey,” he says softly, flicking his chin in greeting. “How are you, Calla? I meant to call round and see you, but there’s been a lot of stuff happening.”
“I’m okay, thanks, Ash. This is a nice surprise.”
Angie’s eyes are burning a hole in my head, I know it, but ignore her, playing it cool.
“I was just doing my usual gig.” He signals over his shoulder then turns to Angie next. “Hey, Angie, how are you? Long-time, no see.”
“Too long,” Angie grins. “What is it? Five years? I can’t remember when we left school. Uni is cleaning out my brain,” she laughs.
“Something like that,” he says with a smile to melt any heart.
“I hear you had a run-in with our girl here a few days ago.” She cocks her head toward me.
“Just helping an old friend out.” He glances back, winking my way and setting my knickers on fire. “How is the head by the way Calla? Are you still feeling okay?”
“So much better thanks.” I dab the bruise to my head with my finger and hiss when it stings. “It’s still a little sore,” I say, looking at my fingers. “Thanks for everything you did. Have I said that already?”
As if his mouth couldn’t look any sexier, he rewards me with his smile. “No problem and yes, you did at least ten times.”
Somewhere deep inside my memory, his cute dimples trigger a flashback to an altogether younger version of theboy standing in front of me. From the moment I spotted him in school, Ashton played a part in the fabric of my life. I’ve always had a thing for him.
I gaze up to take in his sun-kissed skin, dirty blonde short hair, and incredibly kissable lips. The memory I have of a paler, skinny boy with much lighter, floppy hair and a smaller version of the over six-footer in front of me, is definitely out of date. Back then, I thought he was the best-looking boy in school. My mind hasn’t changed a bit.
