Page 89 of More Than Just Friends

‘Good. You should be. Even though obviously we know literally everything about each other, I still wanted to take you out. Last night was amazing and you don’t know how tempted I am to repeat everything we did, in the car and your room, but I need you to know that this isn’t just about sex. You’re special to me, Ali.’

My heart squeezed.

Then I swallowed hard.

For a second I thought that when he said it wasn’t just about sex that he was suggesting we start something serious, like a proper relationship. But then I came to my senses and realised that he was just referring to the intensity of our connection.

He was right. Sex between us wasn’t like sleeping with anyone else. It was extra special because we were friends. I’d thought the same thing earlier. Good to know we were on the same page.

‘You really are amazing, d’you know that?’

‘I try,’ Noah replied modestly.

‘Although, saying that, I am still open to back-seat kissing, if you’re up for that? It’ll be a good distraction from staring out the window.’ I smiled.

‘Good idea because there’ll be some steep views along the way.’

‘In that case, I don’t have a choice. We have to kiss. My wellbeing and comfort are at stake.’

‘Your wish is my command.’

And as Noah pressed his lips onto mine, the whole world, melted away.

‘We’re back in Oia!’ I said as I stepped out of the car, smoothing down my dress, which had been hitched up one too many times during the journey. It was a miracle that we didn’t end up banging on the back seat. Thank goodness Noah had self-control and stopped things before they got out of hand.

‘Yep.’ Noah wrapped his arm around me. ‘I hated that you missed out on seeing the sunset at the Agios Nikolaos Castle ruins, because I know how much you were looking forward to it. So I couldn’t let you leave the island without seeing it properly for yourself. We’re here nice and early, so we’ll be able to secure a great spot.’

‘Oh my God! You’re the best!’ I threw my arms around him.

I was about to give him another kiss, but the chauffeur was standing right there and the last thing I need was for him to go and blab to Sammie about us.

Once we’d said bye to the driver, we made our way up the pretty narrow streets and headed towards Agios Nikolaos Castle ruins.

Noah took my hand and, as our fingers intertwined, happiness flooded my veins.

It was so thoughtful of him to bring me back to this place. Everything he said was right. I was looking forward to seeing the sunset here and I was absolutely gutted when I missed it.

And I knew that despite how happy I’d felt since it’d just been Noah and I, when I looked back on this trip, I still would’ve had that feeling of disappointment niggling at me.

Because he knew me so well, Noah recognised that and now he was helping me to replace the bad memory of my first trip to Oia with an amazing new one.

When we reached the viewing spot, we took some pictures together, then settled on a place to watch the sunset. We probably still had at least another half an hour or forty minutes, but I was more than happy to wait.

Noah filled me in on his afternoon. Like me, he’d spent most of it sleeping, but he’d also gone to the restaurant where he’d bumped into Sammie.

When he mentioned her name, my eyes instantly popped.

‘Don’t worry. I didn’t say anything to Sammie about Mykonos.’

See. I didn’t even have to say anything for him to guess what I was thinking.

‘Phew. What happens in Mykonos, stays in Mykonos, right?’ I said.

‘So I just imagined us kissing in the car on the way here to Oia?’ He cocked an eyebrow. ‘Oia, which by the way is in Santorini and not in Mykonos.’

‘You know what I mean!’ I laughed. ‘I don’t know whether I should tell Sammie anything. Once she’s finished gloating about how she’d predicted this would happen for decades, she’ll get carried away. And we haven’t even discussed this yet, so we need to at least do that before telling anyone else.’

‘Well, in case it’s not already obvious—’ Noah stroked my cheek ‘—I want to be with you. Properly.’