“Very.” Becca leaned in close and kissed her, then pushed her mouth against Ellie’s ear. “I have an idea,” she whispered.
“Go on.”
“What if we got a taxi back to ours? Right now. Tonight, all of us. The house is bigger, there’s the pool, it’s actually nice.” She paused. “And we wouldn’t have to do it in the dark. They could hang around as long as they want.”
Ellie felt herself smile. “You want to be able to see next time.”
“I want to be able to see. And I want you to see. But more than anything I want an actual bed that doesn’t have a bar digging into my spine.” She twisted and winced. “Seriously, that sofa bed is a crime against humanity.”
Ellie thought about Becca’s suggestion. Mia and Alexa at the rental house, the pool, the space, the privacy. Being able to watch.
Being watched.
The night was still young, it was barely eleven, and there was a house twenty minutes down the coast with a pool, good wine, and enough room for four people to do whatever four people wanted to do without worrying about rules of the road for hookups in a hotel room.
“Yeah,” Ellie whispered. “Let’s do it.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s not even eleven. The night’s only just getting started.” She kissed Becca, slowly, lingering. “I love you, remember that. More than anything.”
“I love you too. But…” Becca grinned. “It’s spring break. Let’s keep the party going.”
They came out of the bathroom. “Mia. Alexa. Change of plan,” Ellie said.
“I’m listening,” Mia said. She’d sat up on the sofa bed and one of them had turned a lamp on. It looked like they'd been talking.
“How do you both feel about coming back to our place? Right now. We’ve got a house, pool, ocean view, actual space. Stay the night, stay all day tomorrow if you want.”
The silence lasted about roughly a quarter of a second.
“Are you serious?” Alexa said from the double bed, already swinging her legs over the side.
“Very serious.”
Mia looked at Alexa. Ellie couldn’t quite see the look that passed between them but she didn’t need to… it was the silent communication of two people who’d been best friends for years and could have pretty much an entire conversation without speaking.
“We’re in,” Mia said. “Obviously we’re in. Is that even a question?” She was already on her feet, looking around the room. “We are so done with spring break anyway.” She paused. “You’re sure?”
“Absolutely,” Becca replied. “And… no strings, right? Just come and hang out. Or…” she shrugged. “We can see.”
Alexa laughed. “You had me at or. Can you just give us both a few minutes to throw a few things in a bag. Otherwise I’m going to be gross tomorrow if all the clothes I’ve got are what I’m wearing.”
“Take your time, I’ll call us a taxi.”
Ellie got out her phone and Becca came over. “You’re sure?” she whispered.
“Yeah, you?”
“Yeah. I think…”
“Don’t forget this,” Mia interrupted, holding up the bottle of rum then jamming it into the rucksack she’d been packing.
Ellie looked at Becca and laughed. “Spring break.”
“Yeah. Spring break.”
Chapter 28
