Page 87 of Best Wrong Thing

“Yes,” Jacob and I reply in unison. We make eye contact. He blushes, and my cheeks heat. We laugh and look away.

The woman who took our photo gives us a knowing smile and a wink. Barry seems oblivious to what just happened. Thank fuck.

The sun sets, and the white light coalescing around the mountains opposite gradually fades to yellow and then to gold. At the same time, the brilliant blue hue of the sky turns almost white, and the mountains become blue and two-dimensional. Once the sun has vanished, the gold on the horizon transitions to red, while the sky darkens to indigo blue, with a pale, hazy band between. The landscape loses distinction, morphing into nothing more than a series of black silhouettes against the dramatic sky.

“Wow.” I can’t think of anything else to say.

Not that anyone else is talking. Everyone has been rendered speechless. Barry is aiming the lens of his camera at the stunning sunset. Is he taking photos or a video? Either way, he’s missing out on something amazing. Everything looks different through a camera.

Maybe Jacob and I could return at a quieter time of year when there are fewer people to share the view with. Am I selfish, wanting the viewandJacob all to myself? Maybe. Or I could be a hopeless romantic.

I can imagine it clearly. We’d sit in this very spot, under the darkening sky, watching the sky as it turns dramatic shades of yellow, orange, and red. We’d hold each other. We’d want to kiss but wouldn’t want to miss a second of the sunset either. So we’d wait until the final traces of colour had been washed away by endless midnight blue. It’s a beautiful dream. Maybe one day, it will become a reality.

Or I could be deluding myself.

No. I won’t think like that.

I push away the intrusive negative thoughts, along with my fantasy, and concentrate on the moment. On the chirp of crickets around us, the breeze kissing my skin, and the tapestry of colour painted on the sky. This must be one of the most beautiful places on earth.

As the first stars become visible, high above our heads, fingers brush against mine. I jerk my head down. Jacob’s hand is resting over mine. I lift my gaze. He smiles, his eyes radiating warmth in the half light. It takes my breath away. My heart thrums. I turn my hand over. He laces his fingers through mine and squeezes. His gesture means everything to me. I shift my attention to the sky. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here, holding Jacob’s hand, enjoying the last few moments of the sunset.

Together.

Chapter 21

Jacob

“Did you have a good time?” Molly asks the second we walk into the villa.

Barry hugs and kisses her. “It was lovely. I have lots of photos to show you and some video of the sunset.”

“Wonderful.” She looks past Barry to me and Archer. “You boys had fun too?”

I smile and nod.

“It was great,” Archer says with sweet enthusiasm.

I want to hug him.

“You must be tired,” Molly says.

“We spent most of the day on the coach. If anything, I’m wired and need to move,” Archer replies.

Molly rolls her eyes. “You’re not going for a run, are you?”

Archer shrugs. “Why not? It’s cooler than it was when I went for one this morning. I’ll get changed into something more practical for running. Anyone want to join me?”

I don’t want to run, but getting out of here sounds like a good plan. I rub the back of my neck. “I might go out.”

“Out?” Molly asks.

“Where?” Dad asks.

Good question.

“There are lots of good clubs.” Molly reminds me of her assertion on our first day here that I should go out and get laid.

“Going clubbing could be fun. Mind if I join you?” Archer asks.