‘I’d better go,’ I said, mirroring Ren’s awkward stance. ‘But it sounds like I’ll see you tomorrow.’
‘Sounds like you will. She seems the type to send some goons to get me if I don’t show up on time. It’s going to be crazy, right?’
‘From the stories she’s told me, I think it might be,’ I replied, managing something like a smile. ‘Not the way I imagined I’d be wrapping up my holiday but I’m excited.’
‘Wrapping up?’ He looked at me in disbelief. ‘But you only just got here?’
‘It’s been nearly two weeks, I leave on Saturday night. I can’t decide if it feels like I just got here or I’ve lived here forever.’ I tried not to sound too sad but the more I thought about it, the more it broke my heart. And not only because it meant surviving another airport drive with Suzanne.
‘Certainly feels like you belong here,’ Ren said softly. ‘Our hawk is going to miss you.’
‘That fickle little madam?’ I laughed. ‘I don’t think it’ll faze her; I haven’t even seen her since last week.’
‘Maybe you haven’t been looking in the right places.’
His eyes darkened with the same heavy, tantalizing look I’d seen at the waterfall, and I stumbled backwards off the bottom step and on to the footpath.
‘Hey, before you go.’ He dug his hands deep in his pockets, shoulders shrugged up to his ears. ‘I wanted to say something, about last night.’
‘Oh, no, there’s no need,’ I said, jumping in quickly. I couldn’t think of a single thing I could say that would make the situation better. ‘I’m sorry, I should have ignored the camera. I mean, what were they going to do, put me in prison? They can’t put you in prison for ignoring a Kiss Cam, can they? Wait, can they?’
I had, after all, heard some very strange things about the justice system in America.
‘No, not as far as I know,’ he replied. ‘But I’m the one who should apologize.’
‘Please don’t.’ I rocked back and forth on my heels, incapable of standing still. ‘It’s all fine, never happened, just one of those silly things.’
He relaxed his shoulders and his green eyes glowed in the midday sun.
‘I don’t think they have the right word for this situation either,’ he said. ‘I didn’t mean I wanted to apologize for the kiss—’
‘Would you look at the time,’ I said loudly, looking down at my watch-less wrist. ‘I have to go. Are you seeing Bel tonight? You should bring her to the party. What am I saying, ignore me, none of my business. Must be off, have a great rest of your day!’
‘Phoebe, wait,’ Ren started but I was already halfway down the path.
‘About time,’ Myrna said as I aggressively jiggled the rusted catch until it opened. ‘Not that I blame you for hanging around; that boy is Joe and Rosa through and through. If I still had two working hips, I’d make a play for him myself.’
‘It’s not like that, he’s dating my friend,’ I replied. ‘She’s amazing. You’ll meet her tomorrow night.’
‘Let me know which one she is and I’ll see if I can’t push her downstairs.’ Her driver hopped out of the car and opened the passenger door, helping her inside before I could respond. ‘I’ll see you at the house tomorrow. Six p.m. sharp, a girl is coming to do your hair and make-up.’
‘But I don’t need—’ I started before registering the lift of her eyebrows and the stern turn of her mouth. ‘Tomorrow at six.’
The car drove away and even in the shade of the Garcias’ trees, it was blisteringly hot, maybe the hottest day since I’d arrived. The air felt like it was on fire, scorching the back of my throat every time I inhaled. You could almost smell it. I turned my face upwards, eyes closed. In two days, I’d be on my way back hometo enjoy a nice British summer, so who knew when I’d see the sun again. When I felt my skin sizzle, testing the limits of my SPF, I opened my eyes, sun drunk and ready for home.
Then I saw him.
Ren.
He was still exactly where I’d left him, in the doorway, arms stretched high and his hands resting against the top of his doorframe. He was watching me. He didn’t move when my gaze smashed into his, didn’t react when I started backwards, every thought in my head written all over my face, naked and exposed. I turned and bolted up the hill but even when I crashed through the front door and locked it behind me, I could still feel his eyes on mine.
‘I wondered when you’d be back,’ Suzanne called, busily wiping down the kitchen counters as I stood panting with my back pressed against the door. ‘I managed to get a table at Mother Wolf for dinner, there’s some stuff I want to talk to you about. What do you want to do until then? Spa? Observatory? Get doughnuts from the Farmers Market then go to the Grove and judge all the teenagers’ outfits? That one is always more fun with company.’
She looked up, her eyes wide with alarm.
‘Phoebe, what’s wrong?’
‘I don’t even know,’ I replied. ‘I really don’t.’
