She drops her head back and laughs. “You’re going to let a children’s story keep you out of the Mediterranean?”
No, but I’m going to let my very obvious hard-on keep me out of the Mediterranean.
“Those stories come from somewhere, right?” I say instead. “I’m happy on this towel with my book.”
Hurt flashes across her face, covered quickly by a smile. “Okay. Have fun!”
My heart pinches, and I almost follow her. But I can’t stand up without making things worse. This morning was a fucking mess, and the last thing our friendship needs is another awkward moment.
What itdoesneed is for her to think everything’s fine. For her to brush off this morning as a natural, albeit uncomfortable, reaction to us being pushed up against each other in our sleep. We have to stay in the same hotel as the students, and with no other rooms available, this is our only option. I refuse to make the next two nights uncomfortable for her.
I watch her walk into the water, hands playing over the waves as the sun glints off her bright blond hair. She giggles as a local boy splashes her. The sound skips across the sand until it surrounds me, and I groan, wondering how I’m supposed to get through this weekend, much less off this beach.
I’ve been able to manage my reaction to her for fourteen years. But our hookup was like a hole punched in the hull of a boat, and now the water’s pouring in and I’m drowning.
I somehow gain enough control to walk to the water’s edge. Quinn’s wet, drops of water clinging to her eyelashes.
“You’re coming in?”
“I’m actually heading back to the hotel to shower.”
Her face drops. “Oh. Okay. I’ll head back in a bit.”
Her new friends pull her attention away from me with a splash as she sputters through her next laugh, sea water sliding down her beautiful features. I’m left to watch her, wishing thingswere different—that I was stronger—before dragging myself off the beach.
Back at the hotel, I end up in the shower again. This proximity to Quinn is turning me into a pathetic schoolboy who needs to jerk off multiple times a day. She’s everywhere, and I can’t resist popping the top of her shampoo to get a whiff of her scent, one hand clutching the bottle while the other wraps firmly around myself.
And when I feel the sweet relief of release, I pray it’s enough to get my head on straight before the festival tonight.
Hours later,as the students file into the tiny lobby, my head is decidedlynoton straight.
“Listen up, everyone,” Quinn calls out, and they obediently—and shockingly—turn their attention her way. “We’re heading to the main square. There’ll be food for sale, so make sure you have some money on you.
“In the square, you can see theLa ‘Ndrezzatadance. Joey, I could hear you groaning before I even finished the sentence.” She points at a student and everyone around him chuckles. “But I promise it’s cool and you should check it out.
“You’re all adults and of legal drinking age here. I won’t tell you not to partake, but the Nocillo is strong. Dr. Miller and I are here to help if you need us, but please don’t make us spend our pseudo-vacation taking care of drunk undergrads.”
The students all laugh.
“Definitely try it, if you drink alcohol, because it’s a special liquor you can only get for this festival. It’s made with walnuts collected a couple of days before the festival at night by a woman. Why a woman? I don’t know. Get out there and ask a local!”
I bite my lip to keep from smiling at Quinn. She flourishes in this setting, toeing the line between advisor and friend.Approachable in a way I’ve never been. I envy the way she easily moves between her roles. Everything in her demeanor, even her language, shifts as she settles into each position.
She waves a hand, and everyone falls in line as she leads them into town. The streets are packed with tourists and locals alike pouring into the square to enjoy the festivities. A large stage is set at the back of the piazza up against the plaster buildings, somehow more charming for their chipped paint.
Quinn hoists herself onto the side of a lamp post and calls out. “Okay, everyone. Here we are! Areas to check out.” She gestures to different parts of the square. “Stage where the folk dance is happening. Harbor, where you can watch the boat parade.” She points straight up to the sky. “And finally, where you can see the fireworks. In case you couldn’t figure that one out for yourselves.”
Some students chuckle and some roll their eyes, but they all hold a level of affection in their gazes.
I call out from the back of the group. “Get out there and have fun. But not so much fun that you ruin our night.”
The students scurry off, leaving me with Quinn. She rushes over to me, bouncing on her toes. “Boat parade?”
My stomach growls. “Let’s grab something to eat first. There’s plenty of time.”
She pouts. “If I don’t get a spot soon, I won’t be able to see anything.”
“Then I’ll put you on my shoulders. I’ll make sure you see it.”
