Page 40 of Harper's Holiday Romance

Joyous laugh or not, she was delusional.

“Erm, you closed the elevator doors on me.”

Julia’s eyes narrowed. “What? When?” She was either a well-seasoned liar or completely oblivious.

“You don’t remember—”

“Oh, shit,” she interrupted. “You were the girl outside the lift with the bellboy?”

Bingo.

“Yes.”

“And then I knocked you over in the bathroom at the Italian restaurant. Oh, this makes sense now.” She reached for the jug of water. “It explains your reaction to me knocking you over.”

“Well, yeah. And then bumping into you at the cenote. I thought you were trying to ruinmy holiday.”

“Me too,” Julia agreed.

The facts made the situation seem less dramatic than before the revelation, but there was still one thing—

“It still doesn’t explain why you so rudely closed the elevator doors on me.”

“Oh, right, about that.” Julia rubbed at her neck. It was the first time I’d seen her look uncomfortable. We’d finished our drinks, and I knew our time was running out. The next customers were waiting for us to vacate so they could jump in our seats. Our turtle trip extension was coming to an end.

“I’d had a rough night, and I was upset.” She paused.

The sunglasses in the dark elevator. I’d thought they were a fashion statement or a way for her to look “cool”, but I’d never considered they might be covering her teary eyes.

“I was trying to get back to my room without having to engage with anyone. The staff at this hotel are extremely polite, and I knew if I allowed anyone in my elevator, I’d have to make conversation, and the focus would be on me. I saw the bellboy before I saw you, so if it makes you feel any better, I’d already made the decision to close the elevator doors before I caught a glimpse of your face.”

“Well, it makes me feel better, not the part about you being upset, but the fact you weren’t just being mean.”

Julia looked around; it was clear we were unnecessarily holding a table. The waiter would never ask us to leave, so we gathered our things and made our way towards the elevator. I needed to drop my stuff back at the room and change before joining Billie and Sarah by the pool.

“I feelawful.” Julia sighed.

“Why?”

“I didn’t realise I’d upset you. I’m sorry I ruined the start of your holiday.”

“Don’t worry.” I wanted to say something light-hearted like,don’t flatter yourself, but the moment felt too genuine.

Julia hit the button on the elevator. The nosey part of my personality desperately wanted to know why she was upset, but it felt too intrusive, and there was no sign of her willingly parting with the information.

“Kind of feels like a full circle moment this, doesn’t it?” I joked.

“Funnily enough, it does.”

The elevator doors opened, and Julia stepped inside. “Wait.”

She pressed the button to keep the doors open and stood so confidently against the mirror in the centre of the tin box. The déjà vu moment made my heart warm inside.

“Please, come in.” She smirked. “What floor are you going to?”

“Number seven please.” I joined her against the mirror, our slouched postures with one-leg crossed over the other stance would no doubt look entertaining to anyone entering the elevator.

“Me too.” She smiled.