I stop mid-stride, planning to turn and face him when he ploughs into my side. I nearly fall onto the pavement, but his hand quickly finds my waist, pulling me to him so that I’m saved from further embarrassment.
I ignore the dizziness it elicits and press one hand to his chest, balancing myself and pushing him away in the process.
“Yes.Pleasedo that. Search for a phone shop.”
He’s put on a dark pair of sunglasses and my startled expression stares back at me in their reflection. I can’t tell whathiseyes are doing, but we stand in place for a moment longer before he nods and opens his burner phone. I step back, creating a bit of distance.
It saddens me to think that once upon a time, people travelled unknown cities with paper maps and a pocket full of whimsy and here I am, awash with anxiety because my phone has died.
“Right, there’s one down here. But wait,” he says as I head in the direction he pointed in. “Can we just… I don’t know. Talk about this? Make a plan? I feel like I’m blindly following you like a lost child.”
“I’d say youarelike a lost child.”
That fucking grin. Does he like being picked on? Is that his thing?Gross. “All I’m saying, is we could have some direction here.”
“I need my phone so I can—”
“I get it. And we will make that step one of the plan. But what next? Can I be planning while you’re racing ahead of me?”
I scrunch my forehead, then release it immediately thinking about those pesky scowl lines. “What do you suggest?” I ask, softening my tone.
“I, for one, was planning on getting a drink then having a shower once I was back on the cruise. If I am not going to get that now, then I’d like to find it here.”
“No,” I say. That sounds like a terrible plan.
“What do you meanno?”
“You can get a drink from a corner shop en route. Then we’re…I’m… finding a coach to Dubrovnik. If you also want to do that, that’s just grand.”
He nods, pressing his lips together. “Sorry, I forgot for a moment there that you’re in charge. It won’t happen again.”
I groan. “Just tell me where the phone shop is.”
“Follow me. That way I don’t have to crank my heart rate just to keep up with you.”
I resign myself to letting Gus lead, hoping his phone is going to be able to help us. The further we stroll, the more modern the city becomes. We emerge onto a street lined with shops, and Gus points at one with a bright red awning.
“Thank you,” I say.
He grins. “My pleasure.”
It doesn’t take us long to find the charger I need. The issue is the lack of a plug.
“Can I make a suggestion?” Gus asks, as I meet him back outside.
“Sure,” I say, busily tucking the charger into my bag to avoid glancing at him. Not out of disrespect, although maybe it seems that way, but to avoid the way my stomach flips every time he catches my eyes with that warm, amber gaze of his. It’s not every day you’re wandering a European city with a famous popstar. Even if it’s purely circumstantial (see also: bad luck) and completely non-romantic. But also, Gus has seen me at my lowest, and I don’t fancy allowing him to do that again. And I certainly don’t want him to ask me about it.
“Why don’t we find a place to stay here for the night?”
“Well, until my phone is charged, all I have is a hundred euros in cash.”
“I’m sure we can brag our way into a BnB with that.”
“Not a nice one!”
He shrugs. “Does it matter? It’s just I’d really like to stop tempting my luck. If somebody happens to recognise me and shares it on socials with any kind of time stamp, myteam will get wind of me not being on the cruise, and they won’t be able to reach me. It’ll create a domino effect.”
It’s late afternoon. Even if I did find a coach to Dubrovnik tonight, I’d still need to find somewhere to sleep. I lift my shoulders up until they touch my ears.
